Giddy consumerist post

[cupcake_goth]

Guys, guys! My Vampire Requiem replica skirt should be shipping out in two weeks!

::claps hands delightedly::

I'm still conflicted about brand replicas in EGL fashion. On the one hand, making copies of other people's work is dodgy at best, and artistic theft at worst. On the other hand, the big EGL brands apparently can't be bothered to make their items to fit larger sizes, which is beyond annoying. I would have to buy two of the original AatP Vampire Requiem skirts to turn them into one skirt that would fit my 33" waist. And that's supposing I had the sort of mad money to blow on something that frivolous. The skirt originally retailed for over $200, and if I've got over $400 to spend, I'm buying something custom from Kambriel, something from Fluevog, or getting a tattoo.

(Also, having seen EGL brand garments up close and in real life, you cannot convince me that the workmanship/materials are worth that high of a markup. If I ever get some fabric custom-printed via Spoonflower*, the Infamous BlueJay would be able to help me make skirts that were far better-made than the stuff I've seen from EGL brands.)

To sum up: whoo! Black Vampire Replica skirt! Soon to be mine!


* Yes, there are vague plans afoot to create my own gothy-goth prints for fabric. I just have to wait for the Stroppy One to have some free time in his schedule ...

So. Replica skirt!

Comments

[operatic-diva.livejournal.com]

I'm all for replications when it comes to costuming, etc. Some brands offer nothing but tiny sizes and shoddy workmanship for exorbitant prices.

[ms-kilian.livejournal.com]

For the record a 33" waist, while larger than the sizes on offer, is in no way "large".

Just sayin'

Yay for bespoke skirt!

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know, but thank you for reassuring me. :) Unfortunately in the world of EGL brands, a 33" waist not something clothing is made with. Grrrr.

[suraktaarati.livejournal.com]

I am pretty sure that they charge so much because the loli girls will *pay* that much. Also I've noticed it's very much "Oh, my wardrobe cost way more than yours, therefore I am much better."
Then again, I might only know really, really snobby loli girls.

[ms-tate.livejournal.com]

SQUEE!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

If you don't mind my asking, where did you procure this amazing skirt?

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

It's being made by Dream of Lolita, and I went through the ClobbaOnline shopping service to place my order. I saw a girl wearing the DoL replica when I was in L.A. in October, and she kindly let me take a close look at it.

[katysioux.livejournal.com]

I want to get one myself as soon as I have enough money ^_^ I understand why people don't like replicas, but there's no way I'm going to spend $500 on a skirt that I'll wear a couple of times a month, and while I could probably fit into a VR skirt or dress, I want something that is actually comfortable and made in my size.

[ladymairwen.livejournal.com]

I ditto what operatic_diva said. With great fervor.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

my view on it is that we are talking about art versus commerce.

Kambriel, as an example, is an ARTIST. just as taking an article *you* have written and putting your own name on it is bad, you would not take one of her designs and recreate it yourself to put your own name on it. It would be like tracing one of Pete's drawings and signing it.

Victoria's Secret, as another example, is a commercial company. It sells bras in a specific fabric and design, and in a limited size run. Lane Bryant uses those same designs and fabrics to make the bras in larger sizes. Is Lane Bryant performing bad business practices by doing so? No, but Victoria's Secret is performing bad business practices by limiting their size runs to a maximum of DD.

this is another example of that, to my mind at least. A larger (not as large as VS, of course) company is marketing items in a limited run of sizes. You want them in different fabrics and at your sizes. there are other companies offering what you want so you purchase them there. That's just reasonable shopping practices.

Most of the Loli stuff is just recreations of the old victorian designs anyway, from what I have seen.

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

The main issue with replicas isn't the cut and design of the dress itself, but the print on the fabric. Especially among the Sweet lolitas, the main obsession is with prints. Vampire Requiem did have some cute dresses, but it's the fabric that most people went apeshit for.

[cgirlslife.livejournal.com]

There's some cool gothy fabric on spoonflower already. I got some and made a wallet for a friend for Christmas last year. I got this http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/184044 And it now comes in pink.

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

The Stroppy One as fashionista? Perfect.

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

Vampire Requiem is seriously the only replica I have seriously thought of buying. I still might.

Except....do you plan to wear yours to the Vampire Ball in Portland? 'Cause that's where I'd want to wear it. And I don't want to be a copycat if it would bother you.

(It's sort of a moot point anyway since I'm so broke these days, but figured I'd ask.)

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

(I was going to get mine through OoJia. Good reviews, mostly. You can friend her on facebook to see what she's making.)

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

I do not plan on wearing mine to the Vampire Ball, so if you get one (which I wholly support!), you should absolutely wear it to that event.

I've seen OoJia's version, and it looks very nice. She just doesn't offer the black or ivory colorways of the print. (No one offers the ivory colorway, from what I've seen. Which is a shame, because that's the colorway I *really* wanted.)

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

Yaay! Now if I get a job between now and then, I'll be fine.

I'd prefer the ivory colorway too, but I'll "settle" for blue or lavender.