Hasta La Ideas

Forever 21 is one of those stores you love to hate, and hate to love. I get it– it’s tough to argue with a chain that allows you to cash in on a (sure to be fleeting) trend for nine dollars and change. Trends are fair game in the fashion world– in fact, the industry thrives on them. But what happens when it’s more than a trend that you see hanging on those overpopulated racks? Forever21 is no stranger to accusations of copyright infringement, and we’ve all seen dresses in prints that are no coincidence- Diane von Furstenberg, Anthropologie, and Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers have all sued the store for stealing their designs, and rightly so. Trovata, the first label to actually take the fast fashion retailer to court, has a tougher case to make: while the Forever 21 versions are too uncanny to be original, no prints or graphics were copied– just button placement, striping, and stitching– so while the designs (seven of them to be exact) were blatantly ripped off, there’s currently no legislation to prohibit chains like Forever 21 from doing the same. The CFDA is working to push copyright laws to cover the appearance of entire articles of clothing (rather than specific elements) but Congress is stalled on the issue, and critics say this type of amendment would restrict apparel design and hinder the competition that keeps the industry alive.

What do you think? Is Forever 21 guilty here? Is stricter copyright legislation necessary to deal with these situations? Feel free to comment with your thoughts!

Picture: Forever 21’s designs are on the top row, Trovata’s are on the bottom.
[via The Cut and WWD]

Need to jumpstart your spring wardrobe? Have we got the thing for you! If you’ve never heard of Meghan Fabulous, start listening. Now. Having studied at F.I.T. and the CFDA, Meghan’s talent is clear, and it comes through in each of her playfully original collections. Taking inspiration from global travels, Elsa Schaperelli, Galliano, and her peers from the design world, Meghan designs timeless silhouettes updated with embellishments and vibrant touches of color, her goal being that women wearing her clothing experience a sense of confidence, femininity, and individuality. Oh, and did we mention fun? Picture strutting down the street in a ruffled silk habotai tunic dress that’s sweet and sassy all at once, or a fabulously flirty sequin paneled skirt. Each piece is so unique that you’ll never have to worry about walking into the room wearing the exact same outfit as someone else… unless you happen to hang out with Mary-Kate Olsen, Kristen Bell, or Ashley Tisdale… yup, they’re just a few of the many celeb fans of Meghan’s work! Want to win a $300 gift certificate to Meghan’s shop? Read on to find out how, and be sure to catch the video to see one of her pieces up close!

The long awaited arrival of spring means that there are beautiful flowers in bloom and possibilities of travel to far flung locales. Even if those flowers aren’t blooming yet or you have no plans (or the money!) to go to exotic lands, why don’t you bring those inspirations into your wardrobe instead? These days, floral prints are no longer reserved for your grandmother. Celebs like Kate Moss and Jessica Alba have been seen wearing floral prints which were everywhere on the spring 2009 runway shows. My pick for embracing the floral trend is with an abstract floral print skirt from Urban Outfitters. Ethnic prints are all about color and bold designs. Look for traditional prints like the Paisley Smocked Tube Dress from Forever 21. If you’re not really a print wearing person, then try accessorizing with floral bag or a batik print scarf. No one will know you got it online while wearing your pajamas, so you can say you got in years ago in Morocco! Check out the slideshow to see more floral and ethnic prints fit for spring!

As we enter the spring and summer seasons, more and more men are storing their boots and looking for something that is more comfortable. Enter the fail-safe sneaker. I am not talking about workout sneakers; I am talking about bonafide luxe sneakers that can go well with a pair of khaki shorts just as they do with a soft-shouldered jacket. The trick when picking a pair of fashion kicks is to make them as simple as possible. They should be plain with a little bit of zest. Gucci and Prada always have sneakers that can be dressed up or down, but if you€™re looking for something with a little bit more edge, opt for a pair of Marc Jacobs silver shoes or some patent leather low-tops by Yohji Yamamoto. Here are some sneakers for spring and summer for you to chew on (not literally).

Confession: I love costume jewelry. Love it, always have. As my good friend Reese would tell you, a day without sparkles is hardly a day at all. So naturally, I love to look all around town and score a good deal on pieces I will cycle frequently in my wardrobe. Enter this sparkly jewel encrusted layered bracelet from Forever 21 for just $8.80. The mixture of blues and stones will look great with anything from a white t-shirt and jeans to a little black dress for the night on the town. Or for a more ladylike look, check out the small floral ring from J.Crew for $50. I’d bet that you’d wear that gorgeous gold ring any day you could! Check out my slideshow for some gorgeous spring finds under $50!