I spotted this post on Tumblr last night, about knockoffs in the arena of furniture design (that’s an Eames rocker knockoff via Oh Dee Doh; they’re easy to find on Overstock for hundreds less than their “real” counterparts), and found it so interesting that I wanted to chat about it over here, because I’m curious what your thoughts are on this topic.
Basically, the author (Peter, a fashion designer) argues that one should no more buy a knockoff chair than a knockoff car – if you couldn’t afford a Ferrari, you wouldn’t buy a cheap, low-quality version of the car…you just wouldn’t buy one. You’d get a car that fit within your budget. Now, while I agree with this in theory – largely because I can sympathize with designers who see their hard work pop up in knockoff form – in practice….not so much. I would 100% purchase a knockoff Eames rocker or Ghost chair, and in fact would probably prefer a knockoff over the pricey version, primarily because a) at this point in my life, investment pieces don’t make a ton of sense, and b) it stresses me out too much to own fancy furniture that might get dented, shattered, or otherwise maimed by my clumsy self and/or my manic dogs. I also buy flats that are clear attempts at mimicking Chanel and necklaces that are obvious imitations of Proenza, and have ventured into Chinatown for a faux Marc Jacobs purse or two in my day.
But. Peter goes on to offer a solution that I love, one that’s less about policing than about encouragement of alternatives: he argues that there should be more of a focus in the design community on affordable innovation that doesn’t compromise style. In other words, kids straight out of design school should be encouraged to create lines that use their talents not to whip up $4000 barstools, but rather “products that fulfill a need, and are made at a great price.” In other words, he says, “The design world needs more of what’s happening in the food world. Chefs are abandoning haute cuisine for food that’s just as innovative, just as well made, but completely accessible. We need more Momofukus and Prunes in Design.”
And that I agree with.
Yes yes yes.
What do you think?
