Copy Cat Designer Shoes

Luxury fashion brand, Moda In Pelle was forced to pay a designer shoe manufacturer £100,000 after it was accused of copying its designs.

Gina, whose shoes are worn by famous Hollywood celebrities like Penelope Cruz, filed a case against Moda In Pelle after finding copycat shoes for sale on the internet. The high street chain was ordered to pay the damages of more than £150,000 court cost. It was also ordered to destroy the shoes currently on sale, as well as a further 5,000 pairs in their warehouse. Among the styles copied were the Tallulah, Zeta, Naomi and Colette.

Last year, Moda in Pelle was also sued for selling copycat design of shoes from Christian Louboutin. The copycat shoes which was featured in many A-list wardrobes made slight changes to the Louboutin original by making the heel and platform out of perspex. While the original was sold at an extravagant fashion price of £650, the “pirated” version can be bought at only £75.

Unfortunately, the cheap price did not make any profit for the mimicking company. Christian Louboutin filed a lawsuit for copying the design of the shoes. The result? Moda in Pelle paid £100,000 and £150,000 in court costs – perhaps a too large amount from the profit they get from selling copied designs of shoes that are in danger of the law. Again, the high street chain was ordered to destroy the shoes already on sale and another 5,000 pairs in the chain’s warehouse.

With the international disgrace that the company earned from selling copycats, designers ought to remember the golden rule in making fashion wears (be it dresses or shoes) –
“Thou shall not copy your neighbor's design!”