Another One Bites The Mama
Many thanks to Michaela for the head’s up on the newest company to bite Mama - Trash & Luxury. Apparently, biting one company wasn’t enough - they also bit Dime Piece’s “Makeup Not War” tee as well. So much for originality!
Read the rest after the jump . . .
The tee I produced was called “Rene G.” after Rene Gruau, one of the best fashion illustrators of our time who did work for the likes of Vogue, Christian Dior and Air France. The tee was based off of one of his illustrations but I switched the art up a bit to make it more “Mama.” I added a pearl necklace and changed the earring to a pearl earring. I wasn’t trying to put it off as my own work which is why I named the tee after the artist.
The original art:
The Mama tee from Spring 2007:
The BITERS:
You’d think that an industry based on creativity and individuality would have less copying. Not so.
July 14th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Wow I can’t believe they would stoop hella low tho. Comes to show Mama clothing is makin an impact.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:33 am
It sucks that they bit off of your shirt, but didn’t you also say that you made some changes on the art to make it mama. Isn’t that biting too?
I haven’t seen the dimepiece knockoff but that brand also takes other’s art work and change the art slightly and then sell it for their own profit.
I’m an artist and I got my MA at parson and i think streetwear brands need to find their own art and style rather than mocking the original artist that have worked real hard for their work.
Just speaking my mind.
I do admire your woman’s movement.
Keep at it.
mykar
July 25th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Hi Mykar,
I hear you. A lot of streetwear from the very beginning has been taking existing images and manipulating them for their own purpose. I was merely trying to let people in on the beauty that is Rene Gruau.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I think you can take inspiration from other brands, but to blatantly rip them off is shady. I think Mama and Dimepiece’s clothing are unique unto themselves, especially with what they’ve been coming out with lately. You go girls, don’t sweat the biters.
Manda
July 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Thanks for the support ladies!