Hey Beauties! (am under the weather so this is a perfect time to throw some shade.. anyone else pissed at the world when they’re sick?) I was scrolling on the gram the other day and was shook at a certain post I came across. Now of course I’ll share the post but I insist on giving a disclaimer and my take on the sitch. There is a craze on micro mini bags and personally, I can see why… they are seriously the cutest thing and are not only a conversation piece, but are a statement that make people question themselves and I love that! “Why is she carrying that tiny purse?” “What even fits in there?” “O.K. what’s the reasoning here?” These are the pieces that I gravitate towards just to cause a ruckus. I know you see the countless memes rolling around the web that keep us entertained for hours. Now aside from that, it takes a ton of risk and ba**s to not only design a piece like this but actually release this piece on the market and then wait to see how the masses respond to it and then continue to wait for it to take off (if it ever does).
Photo Cred: @gelarehmizrahi 
Photo Cred: @gelarehmizrahi
Clout Chasing?!…
There’s a page that I have followed since my first Instagram account was ever created and that was @gelarehmizrahi I was obsessed with not only the products but with their page as a whole. It gave me late 90’s early 20000’s vibes and that’s an era I live for. At the time I found them, it was strictly handbags being sold. I was put on to the business when I discovered a python “Thank You” Bodega bag floating around on Instagram. I was pleased to find the photo I encountered was the actual business page and gave it a follow. The creativity and detail that was put in to every post was not only inspiring but it was super DOPE.
Doing some deeper digging into to the brand, I noticed they had already made a name for themselves and were being sold in luxury retail stores. I noticed celebrity names from Teyana Taylor to Taylor Swift all were rocking the brand so this led me to believe the brand had its proper clout. It wasn’t until months later that I saw Kylie Jenner rocking the “Itsy Bitsy Micro Mini” handbag to Coachella. Now, I indeed saw these bags on their page before this post and say what you want (I may piss a few people off here) no one brings hype like Kylie Jenner so It wasn’t till then that I began seeing several posts/memes/comments on the teeny tiny bag.
I’m not saying I’m a fan or ride for her but anything she touches is instantly imitated and duplicated. I started to notice other designers come forward with similar designs and the same design concept. I couldn’t help but think that everyone popping out of the wood works had to do with Kylie flossing this product. Now we all know the “fast fashion” brands were probably the first to hop on the trend and even designer brands to follow. This is what leads me to my point and got my wheels turning. There’s always jokes and shade thrown at “fast fashion” brands for instantly reproducing a fashion piece usually worn by a Kardashian or Jenner and it wasn’t till this moment that it actually hit home.
Throw That Shade Sis
It wasn’t until I came across this post a few days ago that made me really feel for the fashion designers that are being ripped off by “shops/boutiques/websites” that want to make money off of small business entrepreneurs that put their blood, sweat, and tears into their designs and brand. I come across several sites that do this with no shame to where it became a joke that they were able to capitilize on. It was made funny at how fast they were able to flip designs that a celebrity was wearing. If you haven’t figured out who I’m talking about, ya…Fashion Nova.
They have made it a monumental joke at how fast they are able to recreate pieces worn by Kim Kardashian West and Kylie Jenner. KKW made a video on Instagram expressing her annoyance with how fast Fashion Nova was to recreate the one of a kind design made special for her by Yeezy himself but laughed it off knowing that nothing could be done. I didn’t think twice about it and shame on me for doing so because once it hit something I could relate to (being a small business owner myself) I was appalled. No shade to Fashion Nova as I do own a few things from the site before this whole “Copy Cat” scheme began. I admire the hustle when it comes to their other collabs with celebs and some of their original pieces but when it comes to this, I can’t hang with it. I feel larger websites and brands are able to get away with the duplicating and therefore it’s hurting everyone. I admire Gelareh Mizrahi for standing up as a brand and calling at least one shop/brand out for stealing their concept. Unfortunately, that page can no longer be found *wink* (props to you sis for doing the damn thing) and I couldn’t find one mini bag on the shop/website accused of the triflin‘.
Alright queens so what’s the vibe? What are your thoughts on “fast fashion”? Do you feel that it’s OK to allow those who can’t afford designer clothing to wear inspired pieces by said brands? Do you think maybe a few sites are just going too far? Do you feel the brand owner of the “Itsy Bitsy Micro Mini” handbag handled the situation accordingly? Disclaimer: I am in no way shading anyone or taking anyone’s side. I stand for what I feel is right and the fact that someone is allowed to downright copy someone’s designs with minimal alteration required is mind blowing. Brands are always going to have SIMILAR products but there is a level of shade when someone downright copies another’s creativity and what they are known for. Give me your take. Fill your gurl in!
