The other day while strolling through Soho, I stopped at the window of a store to check out a bag that caught my eye. In a classic case of ‘haven’t I seen this bag somewhere before?’, I quickly recognized it as a blatant knockoff. It was the Zigi NY Women’s Stud Muffin Gold Hardware Handbag ($245) which looks exactly like the iconic Be&D Garbo Satchel ($655 – was $1,309). Except that Be&D made it first. And made it much better. How do I know this? Well, after several visits to Be&D’s New york City showroom and manufacturing facility, I can vouch for the high quality and superior construction of their bags. The leathers that they use are of the highest quality – they are super sturdy and the hardware studs are high quality as well. The Zigi? Eh, not so much. I’m not even sure it’s leather. While the Be&D Garbo is a pricey bag, it doesn’t deserve to be knocked off. It is well worth the price. The fact that Zigi’s bag is about 20% of the Be&D Garbo’s original price says a lot.
Which one do you prefer?
gross
I just can’t believe how the companies just copy things – that’s what’s gross. i know the Be&D one – and its so soft and beautiful – i’m sure that one feels like garbage. Be&D should sue that Zigi company.
I agree that it’s unfair for fashion designs to be knocked off, but the Be&D bag is “soft” because it is the overly-treated skin of a tortured animal. Is that “worth the price”? I think not.
fashion industry is built on that , all brands TAKE COMPIES /INSPRATION FROM HIGH END DESINGERS,
DONT LIKE IT ? DONT UNDERSTAND FASHION. every steve madden, gap, banna republic or shirt you ever wore is based on that…..so dont get angry….just keep yourself educated so you dont sound so ignorant.
and get your facts staright!
We’re simply stating facts. The fact is – the bag IS a blatant knockoff. Many handbag designers have been suing for others copying their designs (One example is Givenchy vs. BCBGeneration: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/101112-givenchy-takes-on-bcbg.aspx). It’s called INFRINGEMENT. Of course designers take inspiration from others all the time, but that doesn’t make it right.