The Politics of Fashion

With the fashion industry generating over 350 billion annually, a few Large based designers ( Diane Von Furstenberg, Narcisco Rodriguez and Nicole Miller just to name a few) have formed a coalition in seeking that the current US copy write law extend to the fashion world. The Council of Fashion designers of America is pushing for layout Piracy Prohibition Act. Pick up an object would grant a three year copyright protection popular designs, and would incur penalties of 250,000 or $5 per copy when violated. The check also might go as far as protecting not only the design concepts cut and shape, but also go farther and actually protect the pattern on a piece of cloth used for garment putting together. Both Houses have agreed and have drafted similar bills recognizing the interest in US fashion industry pertaining to being protected for legal reasons. What brought about this change of attitude in the style world when after all fashion is really a re-inventing of itself from past trends to drawing inspiration from other designers .In the past the view was that Imitation could be the sincerest involving flattery? Why change at the moment? Three drastic things have turned the American world of fashion to get sucked in and re-think the rather relaxed take a look at the earlier. The new trend of top designers like Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Isaac Mizrahi, and Nicole Miller bringing exclusive designer collections to mid level retailers such as Target, Kohls and JC Pennys thus affording the masses the appeal to become fashionable. The velocity at which knock-offs could be created from cut, to production to on the rack from huge over seas supply chains and manufacturing. Finally fresh trend of designers extending their own labels into diversified markets crossing onto reach new potential clients. A good example may just be some of the luxury jean line designers, now creating sportswear, accessories and even shoes. However, not all in the fashion industry in in agreement the proposed bill also as The Council of Designers of America is split on the balance. What causes concerns are the harmful effects it may possibly have, the cure maybe compared to the illness stifling creativity, competition and growth. After all it is these similar principles enable fashion to grow, to get fresh drawing its inspiration from previous and recognize to be free and reference others designs and some how making them original. How many times have we seen fashion classics re-born such considering the little black cocktail dress, the polo shirt and also the cargo pants, with model new twist, perhaps; an added pocket, different material or new stitch this exactly what births trends, the thing that keeps fashion alive, who will decide who created an exceptional. Did Ralph Lauren really design the cotton knit shirt known so affectionately just like the Polo shirt or did the logo on the shirt make the buzz? If such law existed would they happen to a fulfillment? Only time will tell who this bill really benefits.