Copyright Infringement: Annie Larson vs. Urban Outfitters

Another day, another major retailer knocking off an independent designer's work. The latest culprit: hipster haven Urban Outfitters, who've apparently copied a knit hat design by Minnesota native Annie Larson. According to a post on Annie's blog entitled "F.U., U.A," the pattern was developed for a collection of her ALL Knitwear line that was released in April 2010, and was used in two different pieces as well as multiple times in alternate colorways. Ironically, the company has featured Annie Larson's work on their blog before, but she says they've never solicited her work.

[Left: Annie Larson's hat, 2010. Right: Urban Outfitters' version, 2011]

As Annie states on her blog, "Even though neither of these styles are available on my site any longer, I am pretty dismayed with this situation. However, I am not surprised and nobody I have mentioned it to has been surprised either. Why is this? It's because Urban Outfitters and many other mass market retailers blatantly copy the work of other people without permission and attempt to pass it off as their own."

What can you do as a consumer? For one, you can support Annie by purchasing the original version or visiting her e-shop, and look for her forthcoming collection for Madewell.

Curious about what other local designs have been copied? Click here for more Copyright Infringement.

Copyright Infringement: Local jewelry design Bionic Unicorn gets copied

Local designer Kristin Berwald of steampunk-inspired jewelry line Bionic Unicorn recently came across another designer named Nim Lang whose designs looked strikingly similar to some of hers. Our assessment: they look like downright copies. Here is a side-by-side comparison compiled by Kristin:

Fortunately, there is good news for Kristin. Kristin updated the post with the news that "thanks to the help of my friends and administrators at the websites where Nim Lam is located, the copied items have been removed." However, it still raises an important point - most of the time, independent designers have little to no recourse to protect their intellectual property.

Copyright Infringement: Red Shoe vs. Rogue Status

Check out this side-by-side comparison of a couple of very similar t-shirt designs. The left shirt is by Red Shoe Clothing Co. by Kerry Riley, a local designer, and was co-designed by local graphic design label Anthem Heart. The design first came out in Spring 2008 during Voltage: Fashion Amplified, I believe. The other shirt is an L.A.-based brand called Rogue Status and is new for spring 2010, so obviously Red Shoe was there first. (I'm the proud owner of the women's version in dark grey/V-neck and slate blue/crewneck.) Kerry, call your lawyer...

Thanks to Hina for pointing out the comparison.

[via High Snobette]

Copyright infringement: Ferociter vs. Urban Outfitters

[A scarf-necklace by Ferociter]

Urban Outfitters appears to have ripped off local accessory designer Ferociter’s scarf-necklace (pictured above).

[l'etoile agency for Opitz Outlet / Image by Kate Iverson / Styling by Eclecticoiffeur]

l'etoile, MNfashion Week, Cliche, Calpurnia Peach, ShopFatal.com, The Minneapoline, and the East Hennepin shopping district made the METRO Top 100. Fancy! (Read about it here and here.) In it, l'etoile is called "an online magazine with the biggest Rolodex in town." In other news, l'etoile's Editor-in-Chief Kate Iverson was also named social director of the year in Minnesota Monthly.

Lookbook - Over and Over from Bo Hakala on Vimeo.

Check out this gorgeous video of one of my favorite local bands, Lookbook, by local director Bo Hakala. The band's latest album "Wild at Heart" was just released last Saturday; you can pick it up at Electric Fetus or at CDBaby; I highly suggest picking it up. Their next local show is next Wednesday, October 14 at Sauce Spirits & Soundbar, and if you live near NYC, they are embarking on a small east coast tour next weekend.

[Solid Gold-Anthem Heart collaborative tees / Image by Stacy Schwartz/kisskiss Photography]

Another fave local band, Solid Gold, just announced they have an e-shop. It will include detailed info on size, color, style of t-shirts, as well as web exclusives, limited edition t-shirts, and special closeout pricing. Digital downloads of the band's music will also be available, if you feel like giving Apple the shaft.

[A screenshot from Runway Rundown]

The newly-launched Runway Rundown shows that you don’t have to succumb to the recession blues when it comes to looking fabulous. The Minneapolis-based website shows you how to turn trends and runway looks into reality, with new outfits and styling ideas daily. You can search by season, designer, color, material, and trend. It’s already been becoming a heavily-linked-to blog nationwide, so it’s definitely worth adding to your daily blogroll.

[James Francis Ginty in Ra'mon-Lawrence]

Actor James Francis Ginty recently was spotted wearing Ra'mon-Lawrence at the premiere of "Surrogates" at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. "I wanted a re-invented Old Hollywood in the tuxedo that was
appropriate for him (Ginty)," said Ra'mon. "The look has to represent
the person as well as the designer." In other Ra'mon news, Jenna Elfman discussed Ra'mon's aufing on the Craig Ferguson Show.

[Christopher Straub's "Petals Clutch"]

In other "Project Runway" news, Minnesota's own Christopher Straub was among three "PR" contestants on the "Rachael Ray Show" last week. On the show he went head-to-head with Althea Harper and Qristyl Frazier using only raw foods, and was named the winner of the challenge by guest judge Nina Garcia. "It's tailored, it looks impeccable," Nina remarks about his dress made out of radicchio. "I love that little colored waist band that accentuates her waist; and the one-shoulder - right on trend!" (Unfortunately, I was unable to find any images of the winning design.) Straub later told me that Rachael bought one of his ruffled "Petals Clutch" bags. You can purchase the bag and Straub's other accessories as his online shop.

The last two weeks on "Project Runway" saw Christopher struggling at the bottom of the pack - this, after being one of the top designers consistently. Let's hope he recovers next week! BTW, did you know Christopher Straub has a blog? He recaps the previous challenges for us, giving us extra juicy deets!

Blogging Project Runway has an exclusive interview podcast with Ra’mon, in which reveals that there’s a third designer that shares his and Christopher Straub’s hand tattoo.

Star Tribune has a Q&A with “Project Runway” model Katie Stricksel, who grew up in Minnesota.

Locals Molly Roark and Erin Smith styled and photographed, respectively, a wedding featured in ReadyMade’s blog.

Jane Belfy (né, Magnitude) and Jenn Cress go backstage at New York Fashion Week. Here’s their article for locally-published Sotheby’s Artful Living Magazine.

The October issue of local fashion and luxury magazine Twin Cities Statement is online.

Locally-owned beauty company Aveda goes backstage at Jason Wu in this video during New York Fashion Week.

Alishops.com reports that tailored menswear store Kuhlman is making a comeback.

MNfashion Week reviews:
City Pages recaps MNfashion Week
A Tiny Machine recaps MNfashion Week.
Rob Callahan reviews "Couture Noir" for Secrets of the City.
Allison Kaplan's recap of the Joynoelle S/S '10 show.

MNfashion Week photo galleries:
9/18: Envision
9/18: Vita.mn style shots by Ellen Dahl from La Nouvelle Femme:
9/23: Charmed Life by Digital Crush
9/24: Adorn at Karma by Digital Crush
9/25: Fresh Fruits Basket Fashion Show from Schoolgirls and Mobilesuits at MCAD
9/25: Eat Street Style by Digital Crush
9/26: SCENEaSOTA by Digital Crush
9/26: Worn to be Wild: Anthem Heart Studio Sessions
City Pages Freestyle Fashion covered MNfashion Week's most stylish partygoers.
10/1: Joynoelle's "Pretty Little Houses" show by Photogen-Inc.