I'm seeing double

This post is what most magazines would call "the look for less, "splurge vs. steal," etc. I'm ambiguous about designer goods being copied by mass market retailers, but that's the nature of the beast. Urban Outfitters is notorious for copying works of independent designers without compensating them, and its older sister Anthropologie isn't any more scrupulous. This stopped me in my tracks when I was browsing on their site.



I thought it looked familiar, and here's why.



The bottom two are Vivienne Westwood at La Garconne.

Anthropologie didn't bother to alter the design much. Sure, it's a different print, but this is one of Vivienne Westwood's signature tops & she has most certainly done it in plaid.

Speaking of knockoffs, Anthropologie also has a total Alaia wannabe dress in stores. That one is laughable because if you know Alaia, you know that no mass market clothing manufacturer can ever come close to matching his level of design and craftsmanship.

I wonder why Forever21 gets so much flack for copying and Anthropologie doesn't. In any case, I suppose this is good news for all you Vivienne Westwood lovers who don't want to pay dearly for the real thing.