On brand names and personal style

[mmymoon]

I was sitting around with my amazingly amazing dollhouse purse at the meetup, and a friend came up and went, "Oh, it's the real one! I'm glad it's not the replica."

"Eh?" I inquired, being fairly out of the loop with most things. "They made a replica? What does it look like?"

"Exactly the same, only without 'Innocent World' stitched across the door."



And that that moment, loves, I... I've thought about buying myself a replica. You KNOW how I feel about art/design theft -- or you ought to -- but as I own the original... well, I've thought about sharpie-ing over the embroidery, because I don't really like brand names showing. Actually, I wished I could pick it out and embroider "MMY" on it, instead. I've a thing for monogrammed/personalized accessories.

There are some exceptions to this, as I still have a few band tee shirts and I'm ridiculously excited to get my Gothic Beauty tank top. (But even that's a bit of a double meaning, no? Labeling the wearer as a Gothic Beauty? What I'm wearing to the NEXT meetup, let me tell you...)


I'd read a while ago that Martha Stewart sharpies the soles of her Christian Louboutins black, since she doesn't like the red soles. I thought this was the most authentic thing -- the world is full of people who would decry "ruining the precious shoes" or something (indeed, as the author of the article does), but Martha both supported a designer she likes -- paid the money for the design -- but is comfortable enough with her likes and style to turn it into a piece she wants to wear.

In other words, she wears the shoes; the shoes don't wear her.


I love good design, but my clothes are mine; they are not religious objects. Excuse me, I have to go dye some expensive lace black...

Comments

[ashbet]

Yes yes yes yes yes!!

I'm not a fan of visible brand names, and I'll only wear visible logos of bands/designers who I support if I'm specifically making a statement (i.e., I bought a Gothic Charm School shirt because I adore cupcakegoth and want people to know it -- but I don't wear New Rocks because I think the logos are large and vulgar. I've thought about buying a pair and prying off the big metal globe bit, LOL!)

I happen to love the red soles on Louboutins, but if I didn't, I'd totally Sharpie them black, too. They're my damn shoes, and I want them to reflect my personal style!

-- A <3

[mmymoon.livejournal.com]

Mwahahahah.. I've got a huge girlcrush on cupcakegoth, pretty obviously. Since I've never met her in person, though, I feel weird about going "Hello! I adore your prose and your wardrobe; let's be buddies!"

I also feel like wearing a logo in the Obvious Tee Shirt area is somehow... less weird than having it plastered all over everything. (At least those gaudy brown bags that normal people like, LV and whatnot, have the logo incoroporated into the design... I give them points for that.) The New Rocks logos turn me off, too! It's like big a big weird workboot steel toe as a logo.

(Of course, it doesn't help that of people I know with New Rocks, who talked up how glorious they are la la la, my pair of whichever Demonias would outlast them, while the New Rocks would be falling apart. Ha.)


I'm not much for red, but now, if it were a pink sole on a black shoe... ;)

[mizbelle.livejournal.com]

i like your skirt in that photo.

[mmymoon.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I made it! <3 It's the preeeeeeettiest black eyelet that a friend sent me -- I've been hoarding it forever, and finally forced myself to cut it up. I need to fix it a bit, though; the lace is curling up weirdly. I think I also want to embroider a bunch of random crap up the sides.

I'm very into long skirts lately. My legs are hairy and scabby and no one's the wiser! (Although uh, I wear short skirts all the time during the week and really don't care very much, what with the whole being a mammal thing. Mwahahah.)

[mizbelle.livejournal.com]

Aww nice! Yeah I like what I can see of it :D

I really want to get back into sewing for myself AND to get back into long skirts. I hate skirts that hit just below the knee or in the middle of my calves. It's above the knee or down to my feet for me!

[kaitou-lili.livejournal.com]

I agree with ashbet, personally I love the red sole on the Louboutins (to me red soles somehow are very sexy and almost earthy (which I know makes no senses to anyone except my head) and I'd leave them red), but I think if you want to sharpie your red soles sharpie away! Clothes are meant to be enjoyed and consumed--or, if you buy the original and not a counterfeit/knockoff then you can do whatever you want with it.

Speaking of Louboutins--now I want to go check more pretties out!

[mmymoon.livejournal.com]

Oh, I get the red earth thing...

I'm just not much for colors besides pink!

Well, that's not entirely true -- I'll wear dark earth tones (burgundy, brown, forest green) and dark purple, but pink is the only color I'll wear as a bright.

I certainly like the Lubu heels artistically. If one fell from the heavens into my lap, I'd probably wear them red soles and all... but I'd never pay for them, as I know the integral design feature doesn't much appeal to me. Heck, I'm not a heel person at ALL, honestly. (I like them artistically on others, but refuse to wear them.)

My friend, who is evil, showed me these Miu Miu baroque wedges (http://www.fabsugar.com/45519). I'm a wedge person. I'm a black person. I'm a ridiculous-ornate-stupid-over-the-top-detailing person! Of course, those are from three years ago, so they're gone with the wind. Siiiiiiiigh!

[kaitou-lili.livejournal.com]

Oh those are lovely! I absolutely adore shoes. And wedges are utterly charming and far more stable then regular heels. I think most of fun of wearing heels is in the art of it (but I have a bit of a fetish/objectification of shoes).

Anyway, I know what you mean about price! I'm willing to spend a little more then the average person because, with the right brands, it will last longer--but 500-2,000 is a bit much even for my love.

I used to (and still to an extent) love bright colors.but I find myself turning to navy and black more and more as time goes on.

[dollsahoy.livejournal.com]

I once bought a t-shirt shirt that appeared to have a big abstract design printed across the front. I eventually noticed the brand logo tucked down at the side of that design, and I promptly donated the shirt. Like everyone else in these comments, I despise visible brand name logos. The exception is made for Doc Martens. Band logos...well, I've only managed to find one t-shirt for any of the bands I like. I plan to use the magic of freezer paper to make more, someday, but, where do home-made logo displays play into this discussion?