The general Forever 21 consumer sees the retail chain as a trendy affordable place to shop, however radar magazine recently took readers inside Forever 21 and their many piracy disputes. This includes huge lawsuits from Diane von Furstenberg, and Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers.
Does Forever21 look to gain from making making off of other people’s designs?
L: DVF dress R: Forever21′s copy | StealstyleThe company has no famous designers or ad budget, nor a single public relations flack. Yet its revenue topped $1 billion in 2006, catapulting Forever 21 into the ranks of the top 500 privately held companies in the United States.
In just five years, it has quadrupled in size, crushing competitors like Rampage and Gadzooks—and is putting the squeeze on mighty retailers like the Gap. In 2001, the house that khakis built posted a $7.7 million loss, while Forever 21 boasted 64 percent growth in revenue thanks to 36 new stores sprinkled across the country.
How did an operation founded by poor Korean immigrants and headquartered in L.A.’s sweatshop district so rapidly become a player in an industry dominated by huge European conglomerates? Its founders chalk it all up to hard work and a frugal corporate culture. Others allege outright design theft. In the past year, the company has faced more than two dozen federal lawsuits for piracy, brought by labels including Anna Sui, Diane von Furstenberg, and Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers, along with a raft of fabric manufacturers.
Radar also gave a closer look to the owners of Forever21, a religious Korean married couple out of Los Angeles (which would explain the biblical reference on F21′s shopping bags):
(L) Forever 21 copies a Kate Moss Top Shop creation (R)At the center of the storm are Do Won “Don” Chang and his wife, Jin Sook, the ferociously private, deeply Christian couple who founded the store 24 years ago. “In L.A.’s Korean community they’re a constant topic of gossip and speculation. Everyone has a story about being screwed by them,” says a local fashion player. “But you have to admire their success. People join their church just to get close to them,” he adds…
Compared to their attention-addicted fashion-world colleagues, the Changs are careful to maintain a low profile. There is exactly one photograph of them available online. Last year, after consenting to an in-person interview with the New York Times, they unexpectedly sent a proxy instead. (The surprised reporter described the substitute interviewee as having “a born-again zeal.”) Still, despite their best efforts, the intensely private pair have become a hotly discussed topic in L.A.’s close-knit apparel industry.
It also explains how Forever 21 can almost get away with making identical designs from other brands:
(L) Forever 21 copies a Marc Jacobs handbag (R)The variations and permutations that define fashion—hemlines, stitches, sleeves—sit outside of U.S. copyright law; only logos and brand names are protected. “Just about every other area of creativity gets some kind of protection. Fashion design gets next to none.” says Susan Scafidi, a professor of copyright law at Fordham Law School who runs counterfeitchic.com. “And Forever 21′s rip-offs are, in many cases, extremely blatant.”
But while the designs aren’t protected, the original fabric prints may be. Which is why, when Forever 21 produced a rose-patterned dress clearly “inspired” by a Betsey Johnson original in 2007, Betsey Johnson, Inc., didn’t sue. Instead, Carole Hochman Design Group, the Johnson vendor that actually created the pattern, took Forever 21 to court.
In a bid to curtail copycats, Representative William Delahunt introduced the Design Piracy Prohibition Act in 2007. As president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Diane von Furstenberg is a key proponent of the legislation. Oddly enough, though, she’s also one of the few claimants to have settled with Forever 21, under undisclosed terms in September.
It’s a nice length piece but, a great read for fashion heads and/or those who shop at the store. It may even change your outlook on shopping there – or maybe not. Read the full article here.
I always knew that they copied their designs from someplace. But those are some good imitations.
first….
It looks like copying to me but I love Forever21 but with all knock offs going around.
Hey their clothes are affordable
I think that at some point designers deserve protection. But as a consumer i feel that they (F21) shouldn’t be crucified for it. Understand that celebrities and top designers want us to purchase their products, but as a non-celebrity, i can’t afford to pay thousands or hundreds of dollars for a dress, purse, or pair of shoes! It’s conflicting, but oh well.
Good post CL!!! I’ve purchased a few items from Forever 21, but I have to be careful b/c they do not make their clothes for the “curvy” or the semi-”curvy” set. But I can understand how they accumulated $1bil in revenues…go by a F-21 on any given weekend and it will be PACKED out. The clothes are cheap and they have all the latest designs.
forever21 is just making replicas of what’s in style for people on a low budget.
nothing wrong with that =D
What is the big deal. Not everyone can afford the high-end garmets so why not get the knock-off. It’s room for everyone to make moneym I rather spend $30 for a knock-off than paying hundreds of dollar for something that’s only in style for a hot minute and I leterially mean a hot minute. Like heidi klum say one minute your in and the next your out. Why pay more when you can pay less.
Amen to #5…MY WORDS EXACTLY!
and lmao @ #2. no, you’re not first. hahaha…
idk why people call their FIRST when they’re usually not.
and even if they are we can clearly see it with the huge 1 next to your name.
Seriously, who can afford to spend all that money nowadays? Why not pay a fraction of the price && look just as good? Leave the Chang’s ALONE!!!
Forever 21 are not the first to do something like this…
remember when the Minolo Blanik’s first came out with the heel that resembled Timberland well Steve Madden straight copied that shit… I mean every low-retail store copies the big boys b/c ppl can afford it and it probably sells faster than any of the designers you’ve named.
Everyone knows you cant get a real wardrobe from that store, you buy bits and pieces. You got at least spend the money sometimes for good clothing.
Damn!!!! The clothes are cute that’s all that matters to me and like Camilla said we cannot afford thousands of dollars for a dress a purse or a pair of shoes…..well like the saying goes “Get it how you live!”….Lol…I guess they got it how they lived and came up on it!….
They are trippin!! Everyone copies other people styles, it’s called the Trend of the Season. Do you know how many patten lether pumps i’ve seen?! They bet not shut my store down or it’s gonna be some issues!! lol.
it’s funny cuz i was just on the F21 website window shopping right before i hit c-loop. yea its not cool to blatantly copy some1′s designs. But as far as the latest trends in clothing are concerned, F21 is the place to go. Ladies can you really see yourself rocking skinny jeans a couple years from now? Unless they make a comeback, I know I most likely won’t be. Pay more for something classic, go to forever21 for the stuff you’ll be wondering why u even wore in the first place
Forever 21 clothes are so cheap (quality). Everything I’ve ever owned from that store has either ripped or broken…and I take care of my things.
>>>>Ive never shopped there, but after reading this article, I will be going to see
>>>>what all the hype is about
Wow… and why do yall have a “Heritage” ad right above the comment box? Heritage is Forever 21 fyi. Is this a cheap publicity stunt?
OH they can just quit it……many stores have “knock offs” of the real thing. Piracy, i think not. If Forever 21 would not have been so successful, then this would not be an issue. There are plenty of stores with knockoffs, and they aren’t being sued for piracy…..
I can go buy some fabric right now and make a knock-off and even sell it….it would be nothing they can do….diane von furstenberg and all the rest are just mad that Forever 21 provide a “sensible” price for these over priced frocks…..get the fuck outta here.
P.S. I don’t like Forever 21 though….they may have some fashionable alternatives, but best believe they are “cheap, get one wear out of” items. I’m not a fan, but for those who enjoy these clothes, hey, it is an alternative.
Thanks CL for this post!!! Something different…I loves IT! If I was a designer I would be pretty salty too if my exclusive designs were being copied and sold for $10.50….BUT I am not, and I loooooove me some Forever 21 and its prices love me so I am satisfied. And like the person said before if that truly was the case with replicas everyone would be in trouble. Bc all designs are basicly replicated from the runways and sold to the average buyer so EVERYBODY would take some heat…I’m just sayin!
I agree #5. But from a designer or company’s stand point I can understand how they feel as well. F21 makes BLATANT copies of things, they are not shy about it at all lol. And the fact that designs aren’t necessarily protected – only prints, logos and brands makes it easy for the store to work around the system. So you kind of question their intentions.
Plus F21 is also known for not being fair to their labor workers, but thats another story lol. On the flip side, like you said regular folks can’t afford to pay $800 on a little smock dress when forever 21 has a replica for $30 bucks. Plus alot other stores do it too (Bebe, etc.). Its all about the cash flow for all parties involved – money gained and money lost. Most of these designers don’t even target the average F21 consumer, they have a totally different shopper so, its like they are losing a lot of money that they never would probably get in the first place.
I love Forever21, it’s the only store that has cute, affordable clothes, who cares if their items are lookalikes.
Why should I be forced to pay $300 for a cute top? Should I be punished for not having the funds for a fashionable wardrobe. I think not. In the words of Kanye, “wait til I get my money right”, even if I have tons of money I would rather spend it on traveling or my home not on a shirt or a dress.
The designers need to calm down. There are many rich dummies who will be willing to buy their overpriced outfits that they claim will go out of style minutes after you wear it.
I knew it was something about that store I liked! I must have good taste…lol. One question though, what does the couple’s religious affiliations have to do with the article though? It’s funny how christianity is always being pulled out on the carpet while other groups get away with murder. Literally.
Asians stay forever ripping off designers ..look at all them fake Louis V. Gucci, Coach, and Chanel Hanbags down in chinatown in downtown LA
P.S. Aren’t all clothes a knock off of each other, no matter what brand or clothing designer?….no one person has the patent on skinny jeans, baby doll dresses, etc…they need to seriously quit it…
I am a fashion student and when someone steals your idea and try to pass it off as their own thats plagiarism. One of the things that they can and should do is at least buy the rights to manufacture the design and then sell it for cheap. Its just like when Beyonce steals someones song and try to pass it off as her own. Yes everyone copies other people’s song but doing it without other peoples permission is dishonest and its cheating. Give credit where credit is due.
I don’t care if they rip off high end designers or not, I still love F21 and will continue to shop there.
well i love designer but i also love when i can run in an get a quick look for cheap but i dont like when the shit srink… hint f21
I shop there and have found some cute clothes, however, they WILL fall apart after a few wears or washes. One shirt I bought started unravelling not two hours after I’d put it on. You get what you pay for.
Um, there are knock offs all over the place. Why all of the heat on Forever21? Please! Find a better story to post.
I dont shop from Forever 21, but this is riduculous.
I agree with you #28, it is plagerism in fashion form. But of course if you can get more for less that is what most people are going to flock to, and many franchises do the same thing but are never penalized for it.
I say if your going to go after Forever 21, hell go after everybody!!!!
And for the love of God please dont mention Beyonce….Concreteloop does enough of that already! lol (Ducking from the Stans and the Anti-Stans)
who cares? FXXI is the bomb…love them, don’t care who they copy. Copy “this” designers! mwha ha ha ha ha
HHHHmmmmm would i rather pay 6,000 for a purse instead of 40dol. Ummm no.
VERY SAD..THAT IS ALL
@28 SUZY Q—-what does Beyonce have to do with this thread? SMDH
Anyhoo, I go in F21 here and there, once in a while. Usually because it’s too crowded and I have no patience to go thru them racks. But when I do go in, I always find a little cute something in there. I spend my dollas on bags and shoes. Then I will mix in Gap, Zara, F21, H&M etc. all together. No body questions me, they only compliment me. So as long as your shoes and bag is whats up, you can wear whatever you want. Stay away from loud colors however when it comes to cheap clothes. They scream CHEAP when you wear them. Gotta mix it up that’s all.
fadduh! the fashion industry has been doing that for ages… how are we all supposed to afford all that stuff if its not duplicated at a lesser price.
So what’s the problem? This is nothing new. They are making clothes affordable for the every day Jane. Greedy mutha….
why is everything on this board off centered?!
anyways, NOBODY CAN COPYRIGHT CLOTHES!!! THERE’S NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN! THE BIBLE SAYS THAT!!
THE END!
lol @ u up there
Ok so the founders being a Christian couple explains why John 3:16 is on the bottom of every bag.
1. maybe designers shouldn’t make their clothes so “plain jane” and easily copyable
2. everyone had copied the marc jacobs bag (fashionjunkee.com, baghaus.com, lulusfashionlounge.com) i’m a bag fanatic (actually, i want it) and have seen it everywhere
3. i thought forever 21 bought gadzooks. gadzooks was my store. even if they didn’t buy them everywhere, i thought they were sister companines. i guess they compete in all business though.
anyhow, okay they got lawsuits, but they sure isn’t gonna keep me from getting my cute $20 blouse compared to it’s $2000 original.
I can’t stand that store. My cousin love them though lol
You have to really know how to dress to wear they clothes because you can come off looking real cheap.
ITs not Diane’s fault you all cant afford her clothes……lol…u alll need to step ur game up. Get a new job..find a new hustle…theres nothin wrong with forever 21 but dont think you doin the damn thing when u know ur wearing knockoffs..
i dont know about you all but if i was a girl..i would hate to have to walk around knowing i was wearing a knock off anything..lol…i always laugh when i see girls out thinkin they look cute and all it takes is one trained homosexual eye to spot a fake a mile away…smdh…
hell i would be goin after them too…if u want affordable clothes go take yo ass to walmart or something…
and like so many other people have said..most of u girls dont have enough sense on how to put outfits together anyway..so you still come out lookin cheap as hell anyway…lol
I really like F21 because as a college student i don’t have bukoo bucks to be spending on outfits but i still do wanna look goo so F21 is perfect for me….Its not as cheap as Rave or Rampage but its def not as good quality as the brand names but its good enough for me…I’ll probably still shop there after i graduate and am makin the big bucks those brand names are annoyingly over priced and make you not even want to give ur hard earned money to those greedy people
As a fellow fashion designer, I dont think it is fair at all for someone to see my designs and copy them to sell them at knock off prices.I put a lot of effort and money into all my designs and business, if someone just blatantly copied it i would be seriously pissed off…….The reason why designer items are so expensive is because they use the best fabric, best thread, best sewing,best of everything to give you the best product and people just don’t appreciate that…Not every luxury designer is affordable but there are plenty independent designers out there that make fabulous items that are affordable,and you know you will be wearing one of a kind design, rather than following the rest of the fashion herd and mooing all the way down to F21….
Same goes with downloading music for free or buying cheap knock off designer gear…..ITS jUST DUMB
Ohh well everything gets knocked off. From clothes to cereal. Have y’ll ever seen Fruity Circles that are the exact copy of Fruit Loops? It’s just how things are. I don’t see a problem with people wanting to purchase something similar to a large designer from Forever 21. It’s not about being to cheap or poor to spend the money on the original. Maybe people would rather invest their money is something that will grow in value rather than spending hundreds or thousand of dollars on a shirt. Clothes really are worthless if you think about it in the long run. Something that’s cute and fashionable now won’t be in 6 months and then you’re stuck with an outfit you’ll probably never wear again.
That Diane Von Furstenburg dress and the forever 21 dress are both made in China and are both 100% silk. One costs $300, the other cost $30….go figure!
You’re basically paying $270 for a label and slightly better stitching.
The people who can afford it, will continue pay their $300 for the label. The rest…… will continue to shop at Forever 21! That’s just the way things go………..
Who cares? Regular every day people can’t afford those ridiculously high priced designer clothes anyway. It’s not like they’re losing money. I love forever21. People are so greedy!
People may laugh @ Forever 21 but they make it possible for people on a budget to be trendy. I don’t see the problem….
loving that marc jacobs…. i mean the forever 21′s imitation …..hmmm bout to cop that
Although I shop there for my daughter, they are on point with their prices for ppl on a budget. The store is just overwhelming with racks and racks of cluttered clothes and mannequins with wigs and I just found out that they have a mens section. WOW
I see the designers’ point. Whether or not I can afford high-end clothing (and TRUST me, with ALL my money going to Morehouse right now I can’t, lol) is inconsequential. What matters here is that an artist’s intellectual property is protected.
Referring back to my being a student: the textbooks we use in class are both expensive and copyrighted, and yet, no one tries to rationalize plagiarism. Everyone here knows that original art is, again, expensive and must be licensed or commissioned for use, but everyone also agrees it should be. Unauthorized reproduction of movies, music, video games, and so many other forms of entertainment media is, without question, illegal, and yet while we may support Bootleg Man (guilty!), none of us act like we don’t know why it’s a crime. And just as piracy and plagiarism take a little money out of the pockets of directors and authors, it is the stage grips, cameramen, publishers’ assistants, book factory workers, and lighting technicians who actually have meals taken off their tables if it’s allowed to persist. Understand that the wealthy designers at the top of the fashion world’s totem pole are not all we have to think about.
If you want something cheap, then put forth the effort to actually find a TALENTED designer who–either because he/she isn’t established or simply understands that we can’t all buy couture–offers affordable, ORIGINAL designs. They’re out there. But let’s not try to justify the continued insult to artisanship and the disregard for the unseen faces of the fashion industry.
#48, MISS LONDON:
MY POINT EXACTLY. Thanks for the insight.
I’m sorry and I may be selfish but everyone can not afford Betsy Johnson, Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs and many other high end designers. Forever 21 is not the only company that makes knock offs. I am almost positive the day after the Oscars every year there are advertisements for “Knock Off Designer Dresses from the Oscars!” There may be another way for Forever 21 to do business but they are AFFORDABLE!
I don’t care about that, as long as I can get the clothes for the value and at good quality I’ll buy it! Forever 21, is great, it’s better than dropping 5,000 dollars on that dress, why not get the knockoff?
::sigh:: I’ll never understand how someone’s “not being the only one to do” something serves as justification for the act. Someone please explain.
so fucking what forever21 anit the only store that does that. they just mad cuz they giving them a run for they money. its one of my favorite stores. and i know just how to dress as well to.