I was going to call this "Le'go my Eggo", but Fashionista titled their post on the shoes the same way two months ago... haha.

The Balenciaga original, fall 07


The Steve Madden "version," spring 08


The Pay/Half option, summer 08


Just because an item is critically acclaimed does not make it good. Yes, Beyonce wore them at some award show performance but besides that I do not know of another taste maker (or famous consumer) being photographed in them. But remember Beyonce does have a thing for quirky, critically acclaimed pieces, she performed in Balenciaga gold robot leggings. For all the Steve Madden's, Pay/Half's, Bakers and Aldos out there, Elegant faux-'boutin's, yes; Shoes that look like it was pieced from your kid brother's K'nex set, not so much. Mass marketing is all about mass consumption, therefore when you decide that an item should be produced you are under the assumption that it is something people want. The economics of the shoe really bothers me.

Moreover, Nicolas Ghesquière's construction of sporty futuristic stiletto sandals is a unique idea. The fact that these companies stole intellectual property is also deplorable. I cannot explain it very well now, but in my mind copying idea which is as unique as this one rates higher as intellectual property theft than all those Carrie-esque faux-Dior gladiators I see all over NYC. It's economic inevitability. When there is positive buzz about a garment or accessory, from the consumers or the advertising community (bloggers, magazine editors, highly photographed celebs... when we talk about an item, its free advertising) people will want to go out and buy that item. However, authentic status items (the Louie Vuitton logo bags of the earlier in this decade) cannot be bought by the common consumer. The laws of economics dictate that SOMEONE SOMEWHERE will fill that demand.

I do not think that design theft is laudable but I do think it is inevitable until there is a law disallowing such practices but I do not think that it hurts the designer's sales. The person buying shoes at Pay/Half most likely cannot afford authentic in season Gucci, so it is not taking away from their sales. I argue that as income rises those clients will buy according to their tastes and the faux-Balenciaga suppliers will lose customers.

Disagree? Rant and rave in the comment section.