A LAWSUIT AGAINST STEVE MADDEN

Where does inspiration end and infringement begin?

The UK-based designer, Stella McCartney, has filed a lawsuit against Steve Madden for copying her popular Falabella bag just a little too closely with his BTotally bag. According to WWD, the 22-page legal document cites the charges against Madden as "trade dress infringement, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, trade dress dilution, and design patent infringement" involving the "marketing and sale of a knock-off”.

With so many fast fashion brands taking designer looks straight to high street, the line between what's influenced and what's straight-up replicated has become fuzzy. Retailers like Zara and H&M have become giants in the apparel industry by mass producing runway-derivative styles at wallet-friendly prices. (Some might even say the pendulum swings both ways: Saint Laurent was recently accused of knocking off a Forever 21 dress and selling it for 150 times the original price.)

STELLA MCCARTNEY FALABELLA BAG(Left); 

STEVE MADDEN BTOTALLY BAG (Right)

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