study break

learning how to sue your ass

Christian Louboutin identifies the fakers.

Click here to view the extensive list of websites that Christian Louboutin has marked as sellers of counterfeit Louboutins.  The site also contains fascinating video footage of a tractor literally mowing down hundreds of fake Louboutin shoes and their shoe boxes in southern China, much to the chagrin of the infringers.

I understand the desire to succeed in business, but those infringing manufacturers could have easily avoided trademark infringement by painting the soles a completely different color, such as electric blue.  The infringers could have avoided all this waste by painting the soles of its Louboutin-inspired shoes any color but red, and by labeling the shoes with its own Chinese brand.  I am very frustrated with my people's notoriety for massive production of counterfeits, but the Chinese government is doing the right thing by cracking down on these unethical businesses and destroying their stash of counterfeit goods.

Chinese businesses: you need to realize that the world governments and luxury consumers may embrace you with enthusiasm and throw a fortune at you, when you produce original, creative, and high-quality work.  The fashion world and I love Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, Phillip Lim, Derek Lam, Anna Sui, Vivienne Tam, and Vera Wang, because these fashion designers have produced lines of clothing that exhibited excellent craftsmanship, innovation, quality, and distinctiveness.  And not only that, affluent people on a global scale will happily pay top dollar for clothing and accessories produced by these superstar fashion designers, who also happen to be Chinese in ethnicity.  These designers have amassed huge fortunes through their production of original designs.

Furniture for my Dream Living Room

Retail prices:

Old Hickory Tannery blue recamier sofa $2999

Old Hickory Tannery royal marco chaise $2999

Haute House lipstick rose chair $1899

Horchow flowers side table $999

All available at Horchow

It's no wonder I don't own any furniture except for a computer chair.  All the furniture I seem to like is excessively expensive.  I am so thankful that my apartment comes fully furnished. 

Furniture for my Imaginary Law Office

I just saw these dignified pieces on Gilt.  Without further ado, I present to you: Barclay Butera Furniture.  Its prices are obscene.

Retail prices:

Somerset chair $3,544

Esquire sofa $10,800

Counterfeits

A dear friend asked me if I would ever buy a fake purse or any other counterfeit product.  At this point in my life, I can honestly say no.  I do not own any counterfeit products, because I highly value the craftsmanship and quality of a product and not only its trademark or design.  Also, people are likely to assume that a woman who intentionally buys one counterfeit item would probably buy other counterfeit products.  As the owner of several authentic designer dresses, shoes, and eyewear, I would not want people to assume that I am a consumer of fakes.  As an artist, I enthusiastically support other artists, especially when they have worked hard to create iconic pieces.  Further, the endorsement of counterfeit products violates the principles of intellectual property law.  As an aspiring intellectual property lawyer, I should not be supporting any infringement.

If I cannot afford something, I simply will not buy it or any imitation of it.  The luxury of authentic designer goods can induce a high that counterfeit products simply fail to provide.  When I still had savings, I chose to invest in authentic Louboutins and designer dresses during the epic markdowns of November 2008.  I did not have enough money to buy a designer purse too.

With that said, I am a huge fan of the designer collaborations with H&M and Target.  Diffusion lines are NOT knockoffs, because the fashion designer actually designed the diffusion lines, even if the quality of the material is not on a par with that designer's ready-to-wear/couture lines.  For now, I am perfectly happy with my Rafe for Target purse and Devi Kroell for Target purse.  Despite daily use, they have been holding up excellently since 2006 and 2007, respectively.  On top of that, several straight men have stopped me to remark that they loved these particular purses, and some wanted to know how I could even afford such beautifully designed purses while I was in college.  Not bad for purses that each cost less than $50.

As a disclaimer, I am not condemning those who do buy fakes.  I understand the desire to fit in and impress other women.  However I do not need to rely on my material goods to make friends or to impress others.  Hopefully my sharp wit and intelligence will be enough to leave a great impression.  I do love fashion for its intrinsic aesthetic value and architecture, but I do not feel any desire to slavishly follow fleeting trends.  Nor do I feel any desire to purchase counterfeit items.  Chic can be obtained even at budget prices.

Barrister's Ball

Yesterday I wore the following to law school prom.  Click to enlarge image.

dress: Risto

shoes: Christian Louboutin

earrings: Givenchy

 

Status Symbol: The Handbag

I never understood some women's desire to have the same designer handbag as everyone else.  I know designer purses can be viewed as status symbols, but I never really paid attention to their prices until yesterday during some girl talk.  If women are trying to use their bags to convey their socioeconomic status to other fashionistas, I might as well take a brief glance at their prices to develop a generalized awareness of purse rankings and a greater appreciation for the value of their respective trademarks.  If you want to know how the retail value of your designer bag ranks in comparison to other iconic bags, here's the list.  I looked up the prices on each retailer's website.  We're going to start with the most prestigious:

1. Hermes Birkin: starting at $8,300.  All the A-list celebrities and B-list reality stars seem to own one.

2. Chanel: $3,420

3. Proenza Schouler: $2,350

4. Bottega Veneta: $1,950

5. Balenciaga: $1,795

6. Jimmy Choo: $1,675

7. Marc Jacobs: $1,350

8. Gucci: $765

9. Prada: $695

10. Louis Vuitton: $665

11. Burberry: $575

12. Kate Spade: $245

13. Dooney & Burke: $175

14. Coach: $148

15. Longchamp: $125

My favorites in this list are the Chanel and the Balenciaga.  But I would not buy such expensive bags until after I have purchased my first house or condo.  Luckily I am not tempted at all by Longchamp, Coach, D&B, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Gucci bags.  I find their designs to be staid and increasingly bourgeois.  

Also, I would never purchase counterfeit products.  If I cannot afford the luxury good, then I simply will not buy it or any cheap imitation of it.  When I buy luxury products, I view them as high-quality investments that I can use for years, even decades.  

Fierce new shoe designers

I'll admit I have never heard of either of the following shoe designers until the Gilt sale on March 31, 2010, but I am blown away by how ferocious these shoes are.  I want them.

Heather Williams:

 

Retail $895; Gilt $429

Ruthie Davis: Okay, I know its shape resembles that of Christian Louboutin's Yolanda, but the juxtaposition of the icy blue sole and hot pink inset against the black patent upper is quite stunning.  

Retail $698; Gilt $299