Controversy?

WOAH. So my last post got crazy in the comment section. Somebody posted some nasty things and then pretended to post as other people not knowing that I can see that they are posting from the same IP address just using different names. Oops.

Anyway- one commenter asked a valid question and I'd like to address it. She asked me how I could say that my new Cece L'amour shoe wasn't a rip-off a Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony shoe.

The photo in question:

And the CSxOC shoe:

Yes, they look similar but you need to realize that simple shoes often look alike. It's a wood bottom shoe with a two piece upper and an ankle strap and bow. The look of the shoe is really different in my opinion. The toe shape on my shoe is more of an almond shape where the CSxOC shoe is super round and clunky. The CSxOC shoe is cut super high and looks more clog-ish than mine. I think mine is more feminine and delicate instead of clunky. The bottom is lower and more streamlined. Again, less clunky. My original shoe was with a floral bow and then I added a black bow for my friends that aren't so girly.
You are allowed your opinion of course, but I'm going to stand by my opinion that it's not a rip off. There are other shoes that look really similar too. This two shoes are almost exactly the same but on a wedge.

My point is that this upper is not a new concept. And let's not forget that here were tons of shoes like this in the 70s...

Also, something you don't know about this shoe is that it's not even going into production. I made it for myself and some friends and have no plan to sell them to the public.

I'm in the airport on my way to China so this is a rushed post. I just wanted to address it so that you know my opinion on this. I don't NEED to justify myself but you asked so I wanted to answer.
I don't mind being called out on what you guys think is bogus. I'll always try to answer your questions if you have them. What I will not respond to is nasty jealousy and disrespectful comments. ESECIALLY from anonymous people. Grow a pair. If you have a problem with me or don't like my blog- GTFO! I'm not asking you to stay or read it. Who cares what I say or think?? It's just a blog. Get a life.

To all the others, I love you guys! Even when we don't agree ;)
xox

Knock it Off!

I've got shoe beef. 

Let me preface this post by saying that I think Jeffrey Campbell is killing it. His shoes are often the biggest trending shoes out there and he obviously has a great eye. I practically live in my Litas and that's saying a lot. You guys KNOW about my shoe collection. haha

That being said, I do have beef with these cheesy blatant knockoffs. Knockoffs bug me sometimes, while other times I don't think it's that big of a deal. I get that people want designer inspired styles for less. The Litas are actually "interpretations" of an amazing designer shoe and like I said, I wear them all the time. These shoes however, really rub me the wrong way. 

You can't take a shoe that is literally an icon and knock it off like this. It's super cheesy. 

Above, the knockoff. 

Below, the original by Salvatore Ferragamo...

I don't like either one to be honest but you have to respect a classic. This is one of the most famous shoe designs in the world.

I also have beef with this shoe because the original is so amazing and these just look like bad orthopedic shoes. Yikes.

Above, the knockoff.

Below, the Original by Prada...

And finally this shoe. A cheesy knockoff of a really special shoe.

Above, the knockoff.

Below, the original by Charlotte Olympia.

What do you guys think?? There's a fine line between interpreting and knocking off but these are crossing the line. Does it bother you? Or do you think that all is fair in shoes and fashion?

xox, 

Good News!

I know a lot of you missed the boat on these Sam Edelman boots. You know- the Balenciaga knockoffs. Well, I guess they made some more! You can find them HERE and HERE.

Unfortunately, they are overpriced IMO, (about $200 more than the original price I got them for) but if you really want them- here's your chance. Get them while they last! As you can see, they look pretty much exactly like the real deal...

***UPDATE***

Heels.com is going to get them too!! My advice would be to wait and see what their price will be. I've never heard of either of the other two sites so they may be jacking the price up. I have no idea. I do trust heels.com for sure though. ;)

Fighting Shoe Crime... One Post at a Time

A question I get a lot from readers emails is about all these websites popping up claiming to sell Christian Louboutin for too-good-to-be-true prices.

Well ladies and germs... if it seems too good to be true, it almost always is. Yep. Your momma was right! *snap snap*

I'm sorry to break the news but sites like madpurchasebay and louboutinbox are full of shit. Yes. They are FAKE. I'm not sure why they don't get shut down. You'd think that the people over at Louboutin, YSL, Jimmy Choo, etc would have a better legal team on top of stopping knock offs. It seems to be getting out of hand as of late. Google adds are the worst because they don't censor stuff like this and they end up on reputable people's blogs! I had to remove my adds because I noticed sites like these that I refuse to endorse.

Some good rules of thumb when looking for deals on authentic Louboutins are:

-Never buy from websites that look as low-buge as these do. I mean, the first one stole a picture of me wearing my glitter shoes and put it on their front page. haha.

- If they ship from Hong Kong or China, it's almost always fake.

-If it's not a reputable online store (ie: Barneys, Saks, Neimans, Browns, etc) don't chance it!

-If it's on ebay and you're not sure- make sure they guarantee authenticity before you buy. And again... if they're shipping from Hong Kong... it's probably fake.

For me, I can usually look at a picture (if they aren't using a photo from someone's REAL shoes and swapping them out on you) and tell if they are fake. The color is off or the shape looks wrong. These shoes are probably not real leather either, and in person will look like total garbage. I realize that most people aren't as shoe crazy as I am so they don't see the subtle differences.

Just take notice if the website uses photos like this:

mixed with photos like this:

Pretty lame, right? What kind of legit website would do that? That's one dead giveaway.

You will also see a scary difference in quality if you decide to purchase shoes from these type of stores.

This real shoe:

will come to you looking like this shitty shoe:

Do you see the difference? The shine on the heel is so blah on the second pair. The shape looks all wrong- the original is much sexier. Chances are the glitter will fall off in chunks too.

The reason I wanted to write about this is because it really pisses me off that people do stuff like this. They should at least admit what they are- knockoffs. I believe that selling a product and claiming that the shoes are authentic is like stealing your money. And though these seem inexpensive, at the end of the day 120something dollars is still a lot of money.

My problem isn't with buying fakes to be honest. If you work your ass off and refuse to spend your hard earned cash on $700+ shoes... you're smarter than I my friend. It's your right to look how you want and wear what you want. My HUGE problem is with the lie.

I don't like when people trick my friends and you are all my dearest ones. So please feel free to forward this post to any of your friends who have mentioned these types of sites. Also feel free to repost to your blogs (link me of course) and help spread the word.

XOX

Your Fighter in Shoe Crime-

Celine

***UPDATE*** Please check out THIS article for more reasons not to buy from these sites! Toxic chemicals and child labor!

Um... no no.

Pour la Victorie... No no. This shoe is way too Marc Jacobs, and I don't even think the Marc Jacobs ones did well at retail. I mean, sure I bought them, but I'm a total fashion victim and I don't count. Plus, I've only worn them twice.

FURTHERMORE... if you're going to copy a shoe, at least make it cheap. Yes, at $225 it's cheaper than the original, but not by enough. I mean if you're going to spend $225 you might as well spend whatever the original was. Or at least that's how my sick mind rationalizes it. haha.

Today I'm Wearing...

My new slutty red lipstick from NARS and my "Balenciaga" ankle boots by Sam Edelman.

These are by far my favorite knockoffs! I was so excited to see someone blatantly copy last year's Balenciaga shoe. I love it and always get tons of compliments on them. Most people don't know they are Balenciaga wannabes- they just know that they are super crazy and very different looking.

I'm in a meeting all morning with the Hale Bob girls going over sketches with Jessie, my partner in crime... er... design I mean.

(skirt- Forever21, tank- Paul Frank)