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In all artistic mediums, there is a fine line between creative inspiration and intentional plagiarism for profit. Where that line is drawn and what effect it has is up for interpretation.
in Fashion
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he practice of taking a piece of names began in high school, when he look identical to the original, yet at a art, fashion, or music and pro- realized their value and chance for po- fraction of the price. Of course, they are ducing it as your own, is con- tential profit. not up to the standards of the original sidered forgery and is classified as a “I am very conscious of current in quality, and little flaws in the product white-collar crime. In an attempt to trends and by doing that I can stay on are obvious giveaways to the purchase avoid these criminal charges, designers top of what items will make me money of a fake. Despite their lack of quality, and artists have found ways to slightly if I can get them right when they come counterfeits are a $450 billion industry. modify the original, usually lowering out,” Ryan said. It has been shown that While some purchase knock-offs the price and the quality process. These the popularity of a product and demand unintentionally and are left disappointlook-alikes, known as knock-offs, are for it dramatically increases by when ed, many people intentionally shop for commonly bought by mistake, leaving the brand is well known. counterfeits. This poses a danger to the buyer disappointed and unsatlarge designer brands since cus"I'm really not a fan of [knock-offs], tomers are now able to get essenisfied. But what makes the original so tially the same product elsewhere it's like cheating yourself much better than what they refor a cheaper price. However, ceived? There is no art without the even with many taking advantage jimmy ryan artist, meaning no matter how simof this money-saving strategy, a ilar the copy looks, the originality large number of people still prefer from the artist or flash from the designWhile a simple logo may seem trivial investing in the original. In fact, Ryan er brand is still missing. to the value, many claim it is the qual- disapproves of the ‘fakes’. “Knock-offs Jimmy Ryan, a college student from ity of material and manufacturing pro- I’m really not a fan of, it’s like cheating Lake Oswego, Ore., is an experienced cess that makes brand names so prized. yourself,” Ryan said. So while counterreseller who is familiar with popular Others simply like the flash of the brand feits and knock-offs should not be overbrands. His profit comes from buying and the style of the item. The popularity looked, designer brands are still profithot fashion items the second they come of certain designs and styles lead to the ing off of those with enough attention out, and reselling them for a greater production of counterfeits and knock- to detail, and when it comes down to it, price. His fascination with big brand offs being made. These are designed to money.
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