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.
Really tho…could it be such a problem because they aren’t white? I’ve gone into Nine West and on crazy shoe websites only to find the “exact knockoff” in Target. I don’t hear anyone saying anything about that. There isn’t any difference really. I’m actually suprised to know that it’s owned by a Korean couple and to see that it has become an issue, i’m having a light bulb moment.
yea who cares the clothes are hot as hell
forever 21 has horrible quality clothing. yes, these designers do overprice their outfits but they have better quality clothing. can’t get around that. plus. the stuff is so flimsy at f21, like it’s gonna rip anytime soon, most of the stuff at forever 21 looks cheap BUT it is a good place to go if you want a little something. i’d never get whole outfit there but buying a shirt and dressing it up with some better brands like zara, j.crew works. but yeah to answer the question, they do copy. blatantly too. but designers get enough money and ppl who can spend so much on their designs wouldn’t be caught dead in an f21 knockoff anyway so they’ll STILL be making money regardless. it reminds me of those dumb artists that complain about how we’re not buying their cd’s yet get free designer clothes, live in mansions, etc. it’s like stop being so greedy
While I do like them, I was starting to get suspicious/they used to be somewhat affordable for non-working teens, but u gotta have a J-O-B to shop up in there/ i hope they lower they prices and stop trippin wit them knock-offs. Everyone’s starting to look the same fashion-wise/ewwww/make a statement.Thank you.
This is nothing new, F21′s been copying styles. But hell, most people can’t just drop hundreds or thousands of dollars on one item, so I say do your thing F21!
funny coincidence:
a kate moss for topshop cardigan is currently LESS than its medicore copycat @ F21 right now.
guys, it’s okay 2 exercise some thought while doing a seemingly mindless activity such as shopping. the mass commercialization of “luxury” items got ALL YA’LL f*cked up in the game. loL.
no surprise to me, but i could care less. i can’t fit their clothes even if i wanted to.
what will all those skinny broads do if they go out of business?!
I love forever21.com. Heritage’s cardigans are too adorable!!!! Plus their clothes are cute and inexpensive. Its like they did what H&M did, but with an even broader appeal.
Just because you can’t fit the clothes, does not mean you have hate. Its just not a good look.
2ndly: When will H&M wise up and get an operating online store?!?!?!
THOSE DAG ON KOREANS!! Im not trying to be racist, but I am going to be. they are always doing some shifty stuff. Have anyone heard of the documentary about Koreans and Hair Care?? Anyone notices how they rule Black community business like nails, hair supply, corner stores, fish markets. Now someone going to say its black poeples fault for not stepping up. . .NOT! Do you know Asian, especially KJoreans in education often use their networking skills to cheat and make sure all Koreans get good grades. . .they have stepped up the playing field for their success by swindling and no one notices. Now that we dont have Affirmative action guess who is beneffitting???
Often koreans get business loans over black people, often Koreans do, illegal shifty stuff and get away with it because it is in the hood. I hope to GOD FOrever 21, gets brought down because they are finally messing with White people.
Check this Documentary please: http://youtube.com/watch?v=p96aaTSdrAE
Hey, I may not agree with their corporate practices-the making of clothes in sweatshops and all that but that is a whole other debate. Many companies are exploitative in terms of their labor practices. That doesn’t make it right..but its a complex issue. However, please don’t take away Forever 21! Us regular women deserve to look fly as well. Like Sarah Jessica Parker says in her SJP fashion line promos for Steve and Barry’s: “Fashion is not a privilege it is a right!” It’s true …..Every woman has the right to look good. Just because I don’t have 1,000 to spend on a damn Marc Jacobs bag ( even if I had it I prob wouldn’t even buy it shoot), doesn’t mean that I don’t have the right to look just as good with a bag almost like it. I applaud Forever 21 for making some fly knockoffs that in my opinion look almost just as good as the real thing. Hey… I have even seen celebrities rocking their shit! Off my soapbox now..lol
…. they should rename the store “21 Canal Street” – with a flagship store in a downtown NYC alley.
Well if these high post designers made stuff that normal people could afford without going into their college savings or retirment fund maybe Forever 21 wouldn’t be able to make so much dough off the bootleg version. I mean DAG!!!! I’m not spending $5000.00 on shoes or a bag that I don’t have $5.00 left to put in it. I’m not going to buy a $7000.00 fit for the club that I’m gonna sweat and funk up anyway and then not be able to meet a mortgage payment. I’m down with Forever 21 and anywhere else that keeps it sporty and affordable.
WTF. I am so fucking pissed off. what is this becoming a fashion blog? Every time I come here it’s always some clothes comparison or something like this. I like clothes but I don’t give a damn about celebrities clothes. I’m glad forever 21 copies clothes it makes them affordable. But people wouldn’t know it’s knockoff if we didn’t put so much pressure on fashion. can we get some music and gossip reviews please?
For some copy cats, forever21 sure does beat the hell out of the original ones!
Forever 21′s clothing looks better than the original Designer’s!!!!!
I recently went shoping in Forever 21 for the first time and I love their clothing especially the jewelry. I wasn’t aware that they are copying ANY designers. Which BTW doesn’t change my mind at all,I have always shopped their site and have found lots of items that I would love to have. I got a huge tote bag that I LOVE carrying! Not to mention the have a huge variety,including “Hello Kitty” which my teenager hearts!
Forever 21 ROCKS-LOL!
Hell their NOT the only store that does this! I have seen Ed Hardy “knock offs” at GoJane.com
#71, ARCHERA:
YES, every woman has a right to look good. I support you in exercising that right. Under no circumstances, however, do you have the right to take part in the theft of intellectual property. That such an act is not considered a high crime anymore signifies just how much art and thought as a way of life is doomed in this age.
ROFL @ # 72…thats EXACTLY where all those clothes are coming from…I’m a native Brooklynite so I know the Canal-Street-Shuffle when i see it. LOL.
so damn what not everyone can afford the clothes the others are putting out so why not get the knock-off from forever 21
Oh well I’m still going to shop there. As a broke college student, I can afford to buy a really cute outfit that looks high end for under $100. I wonder if H&M has some lawsuits because they seems to imitate high end designers also…even so I’m still shopping there to!
I don’t shop at F21, but I do agree with a few posts that mention that what F21 is illegal. Everyone is talking about well they are cheap, which means you support the manner it is produced (sweatshops anyone?). There is a reason why clothes are expensive and fashion designers are trying to do honest work. Some of you don’t realize that Koreans are running your neighborhoods, not You (Black America). I hear too much of people complaining about finding jobs, well why don’t you create one.
Really? I luv Forever 21, thats my store, damn shame tho.
who cares I love forever 21..especially if i need a quick top for an event! I dont feel like spending 40-50 bucks on top
I got a top from F21 and seen a soap star rockin the same top I brought.
Taking someone else’s hard work and copying it is bullshit and never CHIC or FASHIONABLE! As a creative person (not a designer), I fel that’s disrespectful and bullshit!
As a journalist–therefore I don’t make much money–I love Forever 21! There clothes are, suprisingly, well-made. I have bought tons of blouses from H &M and within a year they start to fall apart. I have some frocks from Forever 21 that has lasted nearly 5 years. Cheap, fashionable, and well-made..you can’t beat that!!!
To fashion designers: I understand your pain. If you want to sue the knock off companies–then sue them. It’s your right. This issue mirrors music piracy.
As a journalist–therefore I don’t make much money–I love Forever 21! Their clothes are, suprisingly, well-made. I have bought tons of blouses from H &M and within a year they start to fall apart. I have some frocks from Forever 21 that has lasted nearly 5 years. Cheap, fashionable, and well-made..you can’t beat that!!!
To fashion designers: I understand your pain. If you want to sue the knock off companies–then sue them. It’s your right. This issue mirrors music piracy.
oh wow I always shop there. speaking of that I have 150 dollar gift card.
Too bad the website has been acting funky for me lately.
no one will probably read this, but that is so old news. Every trendy retailer like Wet Seal Forever 21 The Rave Rampage Gadzooks, and even retail stores that have no real rememberable names they go and get sample sized clothing and they recreate the looks. I learned it in my Business of Fashion class but there can’t be too much done because if they change the look even by the slightest smidge its not considered “theft” which ofcourse is dumb, but the Fashion Industry is about money and hypnotizing the consumers to make them thinnk they want to buy this because its trendy, Zara does it too but not as obvious, most of these stores have to make knock offs to stay in business because consumers are looking to the runways for trends and want to wear what they see on the runways but they want it at affordable costs. old news.
i love forever 21. i cant sit there and spend $1,000 on a bag when i can get one just as cute for $35. sometimes their replica is cuter than the original designers. even inf forever 21 wasn’t around, i still wouldn’t be caughin up all that money for a bag or some shoes…no matter how bad my obsession is lol
Everyone keeps badmouthin forever 21. Well wet seal and charlotte russe are on the same field. Some of the stuff will fall apart after a couple washes and some of the stuff will last for a long time. Nothing is forever anyway. People who buy into labels are funny to me. People dont care nearly as much about how expensive your outfit is as you think they do
Those big designers need to chill, it’s not like F21 is encroaching on their target audience. Paris Hilton is not going to run to Forever for the knock off Marc Jacobs bag, she’s going to get the actual one. I can’t remember the last time I saw a picture of the rich and famous rummaging the racks of Forever 21. It all comes down to money and if the Changs aren’t preventing other designers from getting theirs than leave em alone.
everytime i watch E! or the Style Network, or any of those Celeb shows, they are always showing designers who copy the Celebrity gowns for less of a price. The only reason why people are upset in this case is because they are making a lot of money.
This should be a wake up call for these clothing companies. Start making clothing at a more affordable price.
I don’t see a problem with it, that’s just like Steve Madden knocking off all the YSL, Christian Louboutin, and the list goes on and on. Who cares, we obviously can’t afford the $1000 dresses, that’s what they get for not making clothes that are affordable for middle class America! Get over it!
Its funny that you’re calling out F21 but in every fashion spread you do its purely F21 or Neiman Marcus…which is a contradiction in itself…F21 makes copies just like EVERY mid range retail store does..keeps ppl affordably chic
styleAMMO
styleammo.blogspot.com
……………What’s up with CL? Why do the posts keep getting cut off at the left
…………….margin? Step your game back up CL. You loosing us here.
don’t you get it? making a knock off so people who love the fashions can buy? im sorry but i love forever 21 and so do all my friends. at least they’re not taking gucci or something like that and putting their name on it!
please… like this is news!! forever 21 has always been a ripoff.. that place you go to get cute clothes at extremely sheap prices. it’s for poor people like us so everyone just needs to shut up and live with it!!!
ok i’m just kidding. lol. but for real now…
i don’t think it’s a publicity stunt as to why the forever21.com ad is on this page. Rather it’s a way for CL to get paid and for people to look more into the store if they wish. It’s one thing to have knockoffs but it’s a whole other ballgame to make a knockoff and call it something else. Downright low!
im wit 5, 6 & 7
you took the words right outta my mouth #8.
i love forever 21.thats all i have to say
i love forever 21 .thas all i have say
For those who bash Don Chang and Forever 21, you have no clue.
Trying suing them, you won’t win at all, period.
Good luck to Gap, Wet Seal, Charlotte Russe, you guys are all going down hill, will go bankrupt very soon.
Forever 21 will dominate very soon, if you don’t believe it, just check out the massive sizes of their store in every city.
Go ahead and talk about them, all you are doing is making them famous.
Hey, I’m in my twenties and I quit shopping there because the service sucks. Most of the clothes that I bought there either ripped, faded or shrinked or gathered mold. I had a rich friend say,” A rich classy girl would never shop at Forever 21.”
You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really one thing that I believe I would by no means understand. It seems too complex and extremely wide for me. I’m looking forward on your next put up, I will try to get the hold of it!
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