Okay so this post is going to be a little different. I'm not going to be concentrating on the latest trend or which fashion designer is about to retire, I want to introduce you to the idea of something called The Design Piracy Prohibition Act.For years it has been pointed out how the fashion industry has been an example of a high creative industry that has thrived without the use of copyright. Now all of a sudden some big name designers have been lobbying Congress to pass new law that would institute a special copyright for fashion design. But what's the point?
For as long as I can remember I have always been told that history always repeats itself. And fashion has proven this statement to be very true. Nothing ever goes out of style completely. It may go out of style for a couple of years or even a decade but it will always come back one way or another.
I can't understand how this act is going to be a good idea because if it is passed a designer can go out claim that pants and shirts and their design therefore meaning that no other designer can make pants or shirts. How does that make any sense?
The fashion industry is all about being incredibly innovative and involves an enormous amount of competition. It is the job of a designer to try and take an old design and enhance it. Now if that design becomes copyrighted fashion will start to get very boring. Designers will not be able to draw on a historical design for inspiration. No one will be able to come up with fresh ideas.
Personally I really don't think The Design Piracy Prohibition Act is such a good idea. I mean I understand the idea of not ripping off someone else's work but the world of fashion is different. Styles from different era's are always recreated and this new act is going to drive fashion to a halt.
Question for you: Can you tell which dress from the picture above is the knockoff?
- Erin Jones
