THE STINKY STATE OF AUSTRALIAN FOOTWEAR PR

Trust a goddamn PR firm to snap the Despotic Queen out of mourning.

Following the Today Tonight expose into designer knockoffs and Imelda’s subsequent declaration of war, the Despotic Queen is about as popular with Australian footwear brands (and their PR’s) as a kiddie fiddler in a childcare centre.

Boo hoo, right!

So imagine my surprise when Thursday I received an email tiled ‘Luxe for Less’.

Cue - claps of thunder and a rolling fire storm of biblical proportion.

The email had been sent by a PR company called MLPR who spruik an online footwear brand called GLAMOOSH.

Opening the attachment Imelda (not to mention my trotters of tyranny) was affronted by the suggestion that I should ‘Get D&G’s patent black peep toe pumps with luxe black and nude bow for LESS at GLAMOOSH’.

Don't get me started on the name...wtf is a GLAMOOSH?

 

My temperament was further aggravated by the decision to illustrate just HOW similar the GLAMOOSH knockoff is…with a goddamn effing picture of the original D&G shoe.

SRSLY? Is Tony Bianco Footwear running a course in public relations at the Adult Learning Centre that I’m unaware off?

With the recent report that Balenciaga has filed action against FN’s Company of the Year, Steve Madden (over Madden’s knockoff of the Lego Shoe in 2007), the tide it seems is slowly turning.

However, until the Australian Federal Government tightens this country’s lax copyright law, companies like GLAMOOSH will continue to behave in a fashion that would please Australia’s nefarious forefathers.

While GLAMOOSH (and LMPR) might feel immune from Imelda’s vigilante style justice, D&G’s parent company Dolce e Gabanna have proven that they aren’t afraid to reach into their DEEP pockets when it comes to protecting copyright…even if it is to protect the copyright of haute mess!

Comments

[selena]

wow, that's totally unbelievable. and what a crap name as well. ahaha.

[Thom]

Uh...what the hell? Glamoosh?

The internet is making us dumber.

[Make Do Style]

Bloody hell that is horrific. Keep fighting the good fight my sensibilities need despotic vigilance.

[Pearl Westwood]

Glamoosh!! I wouldnt buy anything from them just on the basis that they have such a ridiculous name! What crap, I am glad to hear Balenciaga are filing a law suit go, go !!

[jennine]

it's pretty funny a pr firm would actually point out plagiarism as a selling point for their clients... and that they would send it to you knowing your feelings about designer ripoffs... oh wait they probably never been to your site.

[Rebecca]

umm wow ... just wow - and umm their version is uglier than the original ...

[Emily]

Ugly shoes and I hate knock-offs! I never gave much thought to designer knock-offs until I did a temp job in a poie force in London and learnt about what the money from counterfeit goods actually funds. Dvds, bags, counterfeit credit cards, clothes etc...it helps fund terrorist activities and human trafficking.

[nicki]

i was in max's shoes on bondi beach and the guy was trying to sell a pair of shoes to a girl by saying "they are a copy of Louis Vuittons" Really? How is that a good thing? I personally feel that if i am going to pay for something i would like the money to go towards someone who uses their brain.

ps. wittner has done is again. This time with the studded F/W 09 Givenchys.

[Alexa]

I don't know. The styles that they copy (the "originals" from the "Big Guns" of fashun) are so extravagantly priced - who the hell can buy them anyways!?! And you don't think that some of those big-wig designers don't copy from the little guy trying to make a living selling his unique, handmade and homemade footwear!

[lisa]

Love the shoes, love the price even more....
Thanks Glamoosh for the big saving, i will be sure to order a pair !!!!!!!
Wanted shoes, Wittner, Tony Bianco, Steve Maddan and Peeptoe shoes all copy the big designers.
You guys really need to get over it!

[Sandra O'neil]

Love the shoes, love the name.
You cant please everyone and such is life.
I am sure you have a big fan base out there that would love the opportunity to post their positive comments on this blog if it was even popular enough to get their attention.
You have one me over and thats all i care about.
Where can i see more of your range?
All the best for 2010

[Lisa]

I am not sure what the name Glamoosh represents, but I dont care. They have great shoes and I just checked out the website www.glamoosh.com.au. Some of us cant afford the best of the best ie. D&G and if it means paying less for designer trends, then I say well done Glamoosh!

[Bianca]

I really don't get what all of the fuss is about. Famous designers are the ones who create the trends and Australia is always a season behind. Glamoosh is just following the trends. Their shoes are not a direct copy. Even the lace used would be of cheaper quality (hence the price) and is totally different.

[hammiesays]

Glamoosh is glamour after 19 westcoast coolers. Or a myacardial infarction.

And ripping off designers is one thing, but using it in a sales pitch?

That's like not cleaning up after your dog has crapped in the park, and then putting a spray of gypsophilia on it.

xx

[Super Kawaii Mama]

Give me a break! These "Friends for Hire" commentors are clearly not regular Imelda readers, nor are they true shoe lovers or supporters of artistic talent! What a crock you lot.
Indeed, let's all pay less for crap knock off's while talent, hard work and quality becomes exctinct. (sarcasm dears)
Imelda is a champion of talent and originality, whether it is a big brand being knocked off or a small artisan designer - Imelda champions all.

An empty wallet is no excuss for condoning ideas theft.

If you're starving and steal a loaf of bread, they'll still shackle you and send you to the colonies - we here in Australia are well skilled at recognizing theivery!

[LaraLikes]

Jessica Mauboy is a fan of Glamoosh. She wore Glamoosh during her performance at Live at the Chapel.

[Angela See, Angela Blog]

" Even the lace used would be of cheaper quality (hence the price)"Wouldn't that be more of a reason NOT to buy it?

I just went on their website, wow, their advertising campaign oozes in style and taste just as much as that PR pitch *cough*. Can't believe they've Glamooshified the mad marys too.

Thanks Glamoosh, LaraLikes, Bianca, Lisa, Sandra la-di-da for giving me a very much needed mid-day chuckle.

[marian]

why not be inspired and come up with something fun and new Australian footwear companies!?- the term designer is not appropriate - we have lost the art of design only perfecting the art of mimicry - the consumer just wants a cute pair of shoes, not necc the "knock offs" and that is harder and harder to find.

the playfulness of fashion is dying under the need for us all to look the same :-(

try shopping for something you like that fits, that is made well and that you have not seen a hundred of already - getting really boring.

[anna jacob]

imelda its quite amusing how you can have double standards, to critise australian designers in this way but forgetting last year's blog on 'peeptoe shoes' where you gave them a thumbs up for being one of the best australian shoe labels, you and i and everyone knows that peeptoe shoes is known to be one of the main designer rip-offs of duplicating christian louboutin, to the extent of not only the design of the shoe but the red louboutin outter sole until recently was changed to purple. I am a forty year old woman with a great job and great confidence I make a 200 dollar pair of shoes look a thousand dollars, im sure all these 'designer rip-offs' are selling their shoes and making their money, i dont think your critism really affects them or their business.

[Imelda Matt]

Anna - If you've been a avid Imelda reader, then you'll have noticed over the past two years the I've shift in my focus. I make no apologies for what I've written about Peep Toe shoes in the past but it should be noted, that in keeping with my new focus, I haven't shied away from criticizing the brand - and will continue to do so the next time one-for-one knock-off (if you have a current example then please, pony-it-up).

That the shoe is a knock-off is a (sickening) separate issue, I've taken umbrage with how the PR company (and Glamoosh) have used of the original Dolce and Gabanna shoe as a selling point in their communications to media - which, by anyones stand is unethical!

My 'criticism' is only intended to alert people to the aforementioned practice but judging by the urgently to which Glamoosh have launched a 'positive comments' campaign (read above), I'd say they take what I write very seriously (I know Dolce and Gabanna did)!

And, I'm sure you're the hautest cougar-on-the-block in your $200 shoes as we all know, money can't buy style!

[Sam]

A friend of mine recently told me about this Blog since I am a HUGE shoe fan and have become an avid reader. This is the first time I have written my thoughts after reading the extremely commical comments are writing about poor Glamoosh. I am proud to say that I buy shoes of a similar price to Glamoosh because I cant afford to buy at expensive shops like Cosmopolitan shoes. Give Glamoosh a break. What is it about the Australian tall Poppy Syndrome. I understand the right to freedom of speech but some comments are mean. I dont think the shoes are a direct copy of D and G. They are simply inspired by the trends?

[hammie]

Dear Sam- welcome to Imeldas world.
Next time you should probably do more than google "shoes" when sending out a press release. And if you are going to try and go under cover to "do comments" you need more than a trenchcoat and a fake moustache.
Try hiring someone who actually understands social media.
Ps. We are all bitching about you and your MPD on Twitter. Now work out how to infiltrate that one mole.
xx

[George Ibraham]

To all the critics of GLAMOOSH.
Remember the name - cause if you forget it, I will remind you about it when it becomes a household name in 24 months!!
Get a life all of you!!!
You all sound like idiots with a lot of time on your hands.
Have you ever heard of the saying, " Have a go in life"
Get on with your life and dont worry about anyone elese's cause we dont care!
Take a look at yourself in the mirror tonight - Are you a happy go lucky person? I didnt think so - the worst lies are the ones you tell yourself!

I could just picture all of you when you are 80 years of age. Lonely and bored people in life who irrate the shit out of people cause thats all your good at!

Enough said - i will be in touch with you all in 2 yrs to really stick it in your faces!

Bye for now losers!

[George fan]

Go George!

[Jessica]

You make mention about Balenciaga filing action against Steve Madden over a knock off …
BALENCIAGA FACTS ……
1)Spring 2010 resort collection, which featured a pieced leather jacket that strongly resembled a 70s/80s -era label East West Musical Instruments design.
2) Then there Spring 2010 collection had a vertically striped sleeveless tee that resembles more than a little bit, a shirt from Raf Simons’ Spring 2007 show.
Hmmmmm EVEN THE BIG GUNS DO IT!!!

If you were really fashionista you would understand the fashion / history repeats its self over & over again – weather you revamp something from the 50’s era OR last week – WHO CARES AS LONG AS SOME ONE LOVES IT!!!

We are also in the midst of a GFC – hell yeah give me the same look for less, how many people have thousand dollars to spend on one pair of shoes ???

What saddens me it what a superficial world you live in – Big thanks to companies such as Glamoosh for making a point of letting us (the consumer) know just how much these companies are ripping us off.

I think the despotic queen of shoes wtf DESPOTIC QUEEN OF SHOES wtf wtf ……quite obviously self given title…needs to be knocked of her thrown !!!

[Me]

I love shoes, but I don't like knock offs. It's not right to copy other designers hard work.