There is an Internet project for crafters now, called the Counterfeit Crochet Project, for copying big brand designs, but crocheting the new products. Read about it at the project’s website, linked above.

The designs by the starter, Stephanie Syjuco, are so good, they’re shocking. Take a look at this Gucci bag, in progress.

You may be appalled by this news, or enjoy the project idea for various reasons, but there are a few crucial problems at this website’s root.

1. Right off the bat, the project’s referred to as “counterfeit.” That immediately puts the word “illegal” into our minds, doesn’t it? If Stephanie, the manager, instead used another, perhaps creative, word, like “inspired”, it would be widely more friendly to bag lovers and legal aficionados.
2. Participants are allowed to use, and the owner has already used, exact logos copyrighted by the big companies. That is illegal, right? I would love this idea, and it could be a beautiful project that I might even participate in in some way (perhaps by buying?)—if only the crocheters copied styles, and never a logo. I think this is wrong.
3. It’s made pretty clear that the intention of the whole thing is not to admire the beauty of these designs, and make a legal piece of them available to more people—especially people who love knit things, etc. (as I do!). No—here is the subtitle on their website: “debasing designer handbags one step at a time…” Debase’s definition (from Answers.com) being:
   

   de·base (d?-b?s’) pronunciation
   tr.v., -based, -bas·ing, -bas·es.

   To lower in character, quality, or value; degrade. See synonyms at adulterate, corrupt, degrade.

Well, now I don’t like this at all. What do you think? Would do you think the design companies would/should do?

*Via* Crochet & Other Stuff

Related posts: