30th November 2018

Don’t be ‘duped’…

philippanestie Charity Shop, Culture, Trending Designer, Granny Chic, shopping

I was recently reading about how one of Primark’s make up kit’s has been a complete sell-out, not really ‘news’ except it’s a dupe for a higher end make up brand, that’s why it’s sold out…Which made me think of a number of items I’ve spotted recently where instead of being just a ‘dupe’ in some cases actually could be the ‘inspiration’  for the higher end ‘replica’…Well that’s the idea and the dream anyway. The first case of ‘doubletake’ was realising a pair of sandals I spotted in a Charity Shop had very similar embellishments to a pair of Gucci trainers featured in one of their magazine ad’s, two different items but the crystals ‘speak for themselves’…

Now to ‘let the cat out of the bag’, or maybe rather stick the cat on the bag! With two different cat themed bags I’ve captured, one in a Charity Shop with a cute cat on the front, and on seeing that I just knew I had to get a shot, to a kitten ‘encrusted’ backpack. The designer dupe I spotted has a puppy on it, but well it’s ‘near enough’ and you get the general idea.

What is a dupe though of the original is an example of the numerous quilted and chained shoulder bags around at the moment. Chanel got their first (like a long time ago…) but that hasn’t stopped Celine ‘et al’ getting in on the act resulting in the filtering ‘downwards’ to the ‘lowly High Street’ example featured here. Also talking of Chanel one of their ads depicted a style which definitely made me think of ‘granny bag’s (no offence meant to ‘granny’ but…)

Styles that no fashionista would dream of owning unless ‘reinvented and reimagined’ by a Fashion Icon. I found a comparison here, not exactly though…I know there is the exact same style of handle on a bag that is eluding me at present.…Very frustrating! Finally I found an Issey Miyake dupe, even the great invention of this designer will not elude the copyist’s and opportunist’s. With his very creative and expressive take on the humble shopper I’m sure they saw it as a ‘golden opportunity’ to show that no matter how difficult…they could take on the most challenging of designs…Though now I can’t wait to see what ‘lost’ item becomes a top ‘trend’ next.…and it better be one that I know about already!