Comments on: The Shameless Steve Madden Knockoff Machine

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:04:58 +0000

i think the steve madden ones are cutter

By: Stace

Stace — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:13:44 +0000

Does anyone know where you can buy the originals? Ive tried emailing balenciaga but i haven’t heard anything.

By: shoein

shoein — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:17:53 +0000

Hello!

These shoes are a ripoff of a PRADA shoe that was sold at Saks 4 years ago!

By: IKnowNothing

IKnowNothing — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:29:46 +0000

I actually think the Balenciaga is pretty cool. The Madden, on the other hand, lacks a unified style, having a heel-section disturbingly similar to the Balenciaga, and a much more traditional (and hideous) toe-section.

By: scott

scott — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:51:27 +0000

wow. that is one cool looking shoe. lol

By: Glinda

Glinda — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:14:22 +0000

Just for the record, my son saw the picture of these on my computer and said, “Look, Transformer Shoes!”

Truer words were never spoken.

By: wannabe

wannabe — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:08:17 +0000

Cheaper versions inspired by an original are totally fair game. Really. As Sarah correctly points out (and in a point I made myself in the other Madden scandal), they are hardly pitching the same demographic, usually. And it is very true that the pilfering of the idea is not so bad as the pilfering of the photo, which was consumer fraud. However, these shoes are SO unique (for good or ill), that I find Madden’s appropriation of the design kind of offensive. Or maybe it’s just because he’s a lifelong dirtbag I am unwilling or unable to see a single redeeming quality of. See http://www.slate.com/id/2064214

By: The Charlotte Allen

The Charlotte Allen — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:12:14 +0000

I don’t see the problem here (except that both shoes are hideous). It’s not illegal to knock off a fashion design, and cheap knockoffs never look quite like the originals because they don’t have the quality and detailing (that’s why they’re cheap). Unless you use the designer’s logo or otherwise try to pass off your work as the designer’s, there’s no harm done that I can see.

Stealing a Louboutin photo to advertise a Madden knockoff (if that was the case) was a different story: that was a theft of someone’s work and a fraud upon the consumer.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:59:13 +0000

Why anyone would like to imitate this ghastly pair of shoes is beyond me. Balenciaga or not, they are the truly hideous.

By: Jennifer L.

Jennifer L. — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:55:36 +0000

I am through with Sleaze Madden. I have no comment about his propensity to steal, pilfer, knock off, ripoff or tax cheat. I just refuse to buy his shoes. However, I do have a huge issue with the sudden appearance of red-soled offerings from Unlisted. They totally offend my Christian sensibilities (take it in what sense thou wilt). I have seen the offense at DSW and Famous Footwear where I was trolling for some Heelys (much to my daughter’s chagrin and embarrassment).

Victoria’s Secret also had put out a red-soled boot last winter. Now that gets my goat.