Illustration by Bas Kosters
Miaauw Miaauw, it’s me, the copycat! I made a smashing gettolicious
collection in all black and white with sporty text and stuff. Miaauw.
Of course, the ‘Copycat’ collection does not exist, although the Netherlands has
a brand that was trending in the ’80s called ‘Cool Cat’. Those were the
days… I’m wandering off; back to the point I was trying to make: Did you also notice those sporty black-and-white items on the racks? Fashion moves so quickly that, once a trend emerges, brands jump on it like a fresh piece of meat. Whilst the early adapters are wearing these ghetto sport items, brands are spying and copying the looks, to have them in store a few weeks after. There is no harm in following the trace of money, maybe it’s even smart to change course when an opportunity arises, but there’s a thin line between inspiration and copying. And it is this border that people seem to be crossing too easily at the moment.
I always get a very odd feeling when I see such a literal copy of someone
else’s work, and it raises a lot of questions. Is this shamelessness or ignorance?
Did they really not see this?
I am not the one to judge, the only thing I can say is that for me it seems best
to stay true to yourself, to design from passion and pure inspiration.
With kind regards,
