Did the Kardashian's Upcoming Fashion Line Copy a Monica Botkier
Where do you draw the line between "designer inspired" and simply a "knockoff"? As long as knockoff handbags, and products in general, have been on the market, the dividing line has clearly been imitation, from the design down to the nameplate. But, what if the imitating product has some strong similarities but no nameplate? What do you call it then? Designer Monica Botkier <a href="http://www.shopsellbags.com"><strong>chanel handbags</strong></a> calls it a straight-up knockoff. Last week, she wrote a blog post accusing the Kardashian sisters' new collection for Sears, the Kardashian Kollection, of copying one of her handbag designs, the Botkier Clyde. In her post, Botkier wrote, "We were one of 50 designers supporting the effort to stop design piracy and knock-offs. Ironically we just discovered below how our Botkier ‘Clyde' was simply copied by Kardashian Kollection for Sears. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery but we don't think so…" If you compare the two handbags, seen above, the only difference appears to be the leopard print. Both bags have the same shape, diagonal zippers, and side pouches. At the same time, the Kardashian sisters, in a statement, claim these similarities are just a coincidence and accuse Botkier of copying Balenciaga: Jupi is nevertheless investigating the matter, as we take this issue seriously. In any event, it is our understanding that the Kardashian Kollection bag in question has not yet been offered for general sale. Nor is it available for sale online. Pending our investigation of the matter, we have undertaken appropriate preventative measures regarding the handbag. The Kardashian Kollection handbag was independently created. Jupi was surprised to hear of the complaints by Botkier since Jupi is aware of preexisting handbag designs bearing substantial style similarities to the 2009 Botkier Clyde handbag, dating back to 2005. Jupi was also surprised by Botkier's statements in the media about purported "knock offs" of Botkier handbags in light of other comments in the media noting the similarity of Botkier bags to preexisting Balenciaga bags. What do you think? Do you think these similarities are a coincidence? Should the Kardashian Kollection bag be considered "designer inspired" or a knockoff? And, is the fact that Botkier possibly copied Balenciaga even relevant in this <a href="http://www.shopsellbags.com/"><strong>gucci handbags</strong></a> instance?
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