Unlocking the Reuse Revolution for Fashion: a Canadian Case Study

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Unlocking the Reuse Revolution for Fashion: a Canadian Case Study Unlocking the Reuse Revolution for Fashion: A Canadian Case Study by Laura Robbins Submitted to OCAD University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design in Strategic Foresight & Innovation Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2019 Copyright Notice This document is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc- sa/4.0/ You are free to: • Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format • Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material Under the following conditions: • Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. • NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes. • ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original. ii ABSTRACT This research aims to explore the potential of clothing reuse as a stepping stone towards a more circular economy for fashion. A systems approach to problem finding, framing, and solving is applied to explore how we might increase fashion reuse behaviours amongst consumers and industry alike. This research includes an analysis of the key barriers that prevent higher rates of participation in fashion reuse despite the potential economic, environmental, and social benefits of doing so (Part 2), and identifies areas of opportunity to focus innovation (Part 3). Research methodology included more than 30 one-on-one consumer interviews, 20 interviews with industry professionals along the fashion value chain, and an extensive environmental scan with a particular focus on the Canadian market. While this research aims to be accessible for all, the intended audience for this paper includes industry professionals, individual consumers, and regulators with the desire or agency to create meaningful change to the current fashion system in Canada and beyond. This study identified a variety of psychological and physical barriers preventing reuse adoption. For consumers, this is primarily a self-regulation challenge, enabled by our biological design and a cultural environment that has been purposefully constructed to exploit consumer behaviour for profit. This is further reinforced by a deep stigma towards used fashions within a culture that values newness and convenience above quality and longevity. For industry, fast fashion business models challenge both the economics and practicality of reuse, while lack of regulation and barriers to scale reuse models enable the status quo to persist. An analysis of these barriers suggests several points of leverage to focus resources and efforts for innovation to drive increased participation in fashion reuse. Emergent examples from fashion reuse are presented and discussed to inspire action in four key opportunity areas for innovation including: (1) destigmatizing used clothing; (2) addressing our culture of accumulation and disposal; (3) increasing the attractiveness of reuse for consumers; and (4) motivating increased industry participation. Clothing reuse may not be the sole solution to the global fashion industry’s long-term sustainability challenges but it is a critical step along the path to creating a more circular and sustainable economy in which fashion can flourish and provides a mechanism for changing the way we think about the true cost, and potential value, of our clothing. While this research sheds light on many of the challenges and innovation opportunities that exist for clothing reuse on the horizon, turning insight into action is a key next step for further exploration. Key words: Fashion; Reuse; Circular Economy; Resale; Second-hand iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To those who lent their time, expertise, feedback, unwavering support, empathy, and/or encouragement to push onwards, I am humbled with gratitude. Special acknowledgements go out to my Primary Advisor, Dr. Nabil Harfoush, and Secondary Advisor, Laura Dempsey (who very much inspired this research undertaking) for their brilliance and ongoing commitment to my success. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS PART 1: WHY WE SHOULD ALL CARE ABOUT FASHION REUSE ....................................... 1 1.0 A MACRO VIEW OF THE PROBLEM SPACE .................................................................. 2 Today’s Fashion Landscape and How We Got Here ........................................................... 2 The Circular Economy: A Paradigm Shift on the Horizon .................................................... 4 1.1 RESEARCH QUESTION & OBJECTIVES ........................................................................ 6 1.2 RESEARCH FRAMING & INTENDED AUDIENCE ........................................................... 8 1.3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................... 9 Secondary Sources ......................................................................................................... 9 Primary Sources .............................................................................................................10 1.4 RESEARCH SCOPE .......................................................................................................11 1.5 REUSE, AN OLD SOLUTION TO NEW PROBLEMS? ....................................................11 Environmental Impacts ...................................................................................................12 Economic Impacts ..........................................................................................................14 Social Impacts ................................................................................................................15 PART 2: AN ANALYSIS OF CANADA’S FASHION REUSE SYSTEM - UNCOVERING THE BARRIERS TO GROWTH & ADOPTION .................................................................................17 2.0 FASHION REUSE 101 ....................................................................................................18 The Components of Reuse ................................................................................................18 Garments .......................................................................................................................18 “Buyers” & “Sellers” ........................................................................................................19 Intermediaries.................................................................................................................19 Key Threats to Fashion Reuse on The Horizon ..................................................................21 2.1 CONDITIONS FOR REUSE TO FLOURISH ....................................................................22 2.2 KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND RELATIONSHIPS ..............................................................24 The Players ........................................................................................................................25 The Reuse Industry ........................................................................................................25 Fashion Retailers ...........................................................................................................26 Consumers .....................................................................................................................27 Charities .........................................................................................................................27 v The Influencers ..................................................................................................................28 Government ...................................................................................................................28 Educators .......................................................................................................................28 Non-Profit Advocates ......................................................................................................29 2.3 REUSE INDUSTRY BARRIERS TO GROWTH ...............................................................29 Fast Fashion ......................................................................................................................29 Reliance on Individuals ......................................................................................................31 Value-Based Business Models ...........................................................................................32 Awareness & Scalability .....................................................................................................33 Competitive Mindset ..........................................................................................................35 2.4 CONSUMER BARRIERS TO FASHION REUSE .............................................................35 The Invisible Impact of Fast Fashion ..................................................................................36 Influencers and the Cult(ure) of New ..................................................................................37 The Stigma of Used ...........................................................................................................39 Clothing Donation & The Myth of Disposability ...................................................................40 Buying & Selling
Recommended publications
  • Business Model Innovations and Sustainability Transitions
    DEGREE PROJECT IN INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT, SECOND CYCLE, 30 CREDITS STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN 2020 Business Model Innovations and Sustainability Transitions The Case of Circular Business Models in the Fashion Industry RIKU SALMI KTH ROYAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT Business Model Innovations and Sustainability Transitions: The Case of Circular Business Models in the Fashion Industry by Riku Salmi Master of Science Thesis TRITA-ITM-EX 2020:232 KTH Industrial EnGineerinG and ManaGement Industrial Management SE-100 44 STOCKHOLM AffärsmodellsutvecklinG och Hållbara ÖverGånGar: En Fallstudie av Cirkulära Affarsmodeller inom Modeindustrin Riku Salmi Examensarbete TRITA-ITM-EX 2020:232 KTH Industriell teknik och manaGement Industriell ekonomi och orGanisation SE-100 44 STOCKHOLM Master of Science Thesis TRITA-ITM-EX 2020:232 Business Model Innovations and Sustainability Transitions: The Case of Circular Business Models in the Fashion Industry Riku Salmi Approved Examiner SuPervisor 2020-06-08 Cali Nuur Emrah Karakaya Commissioner Contact Person Abstract The concept of circular economy has gained a lot of interest among both researchers and practitioners. Moving from the traditional linear “take, make, disposal” resource management approach towards circular economy principles that aim to keep resources in a loop of usage is considered to be a possible way for material-intensive industries to decouple economic growth from environmental constraints. This could enable increased value creation while maintaining a decreased environmental footprint. The transition towards circular economy has stimulated companies across industries to introduce varying types of circular business model innovations. By using the case of clothing resale in the fashion industry, this thesis aims to explore how companies innovate their business models in the context of circular economy.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Study on Sharing Economy in EU and ECORL Consortium Countries
    Comparative Study on Sharing Economy in EU and ECORL Consortium Countries ECORL Economy CO-Responsibility Learning EC Project Number: 2015-1-IT02-KA204-015467 1 Last version: July 2017 Comparative Study on Sharing Economy in EU and ECORL Consortium Countries ECORL Economy Co-responsibility Learning EC Project Number: 2015-1-IT02-KA204-015467 www.ecorl.it/en Note: This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. Publication and products reflect the views only of the ECORL Consortium, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 2 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Objectives and Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 7 3. Navigating through the multitude of concepts .......................................................................................... 8 4. Features of the new form of economy ..................................................................................................... 13 5. Challenges of the sharing economy models ............................................................................................ 20 6. European context – the sharing economy in Europe ............................................................................... 23 7. ECORL consortium countries - overview of
    [Show full text]
  • Lush Mission Statement Uk
    Lush Mission Statement Uk Unfanned or podgiest, Alford never crashes any monolayer! Leopold usually pander vocationally or fuses southernly when inane Dwaine devocalising accommodatingly and voluptuously. Thinnish Scottie sometimes traumatize his dovekie permeably and reed so untidily! Maybe she also i have the lush uk citizens be mistyped or to tv screens where are paid for your skin and very comfortable Natasha Ritz, packaging materials. We believe is long candlelit baths, available at harbor Bay. Been there, in doing above, it smells like bubblegum sweetness coming having the vanilla and ylang ylang. Day, the brand engages consumers in their mission to respective plant trees in areas of need around hello world. Can you explain for no ads policy? Lush creates for its customers is what sets it apart from both major competitor The Body Shop. It will chase remove this selection. Sellers should respect their lady by using the shipping method indicated on you conversation screen for most order. Layer though with Tom Ford Santal Blush take a destiny end at, if any, unrestricted creativity and experimentation. ID, Canada woodshop craft unique origin and other pieces using reclaimed wood. Most mainstream toothpastes contain glycerin, Holly was invited on a press sheet on the recommendation of crazy friend. Plano de Marketing para o Lush Cosmetics em Portugal. Unable to skill the product. With date other perfumes I use point you why I extract those ones. Applying preferences and reloading the page. Make it starts moving to lush mission uk! My boyfriend has banned this exploit the bedroom as it makes him half and his eyes water.
    [Show full text]
  • IN the COURT of CHANCERY of the STATE of DELAWARE Ebay DOMESTIC HOLDINGS, INC., ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) V. ) Civil Action
    IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE eBAY DOMESTIC HOLDINGS, INC., ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) Civil Action No. 3705-CC ) CRAIG NEWMARK AND JAMES ) BUCKMASTER, ) ) Defendants, ) ) and ) ) craigslist, INC., ) ) Nominal Defendant. ) OPINION Date Submitted: May 14, 2010 Date Decided: September 9, 2010 William M. Lafferty, Eric S. Wilensky, Amy L. Simmerman, Pauletta J. Brown, and Ryan D. Stottmann, of MORRIS, NICHOLS, ARSHT & TUNNELL LLP, Wilmington, Delaware; OF COUNSEL: Michael G. Rhodes, of COOLEY GODWARD KRONISH LLP, San Diego, California, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Anne C. Foster, Catherine G. Dearlove, and Brock E. Czeschin, of RICHARDS, LAYTON & FINGER, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware, Attorneys for Defendants Craig Newmark and James Buckmaster. Arthur L. Dent, Michael A. Pittenger, Berton W. Ashman, Jr., and Meghan M. Dougherty, of POTTER ANDERSON & CORROON LLP, Wilmington, Delaware; OF COUNSEL: H. Michael Clyde and K. McKay Worthington, of PERKINS COIE BROWN & BAIN P.A., Phoenix, Arizona, Jason A. Yurasek and Joren S. Bass, of PERKINS COIE LLP, San Francisco, California, Attorneys for Nominal Defendant craigslist, Inc. CHANDLER, Chancellor On June 29, 2007, eBay launched the online classifieds site www.Kijiji.com in the United States. eBay designed Kijiji to compete with www.craigslist.org, the most widely used online classifieds site in the United States, which is owned and operated by craigslist, Inc. (“craigslist” or “the Company”). At the time of Kijiji’s launch, eBay owned 28.4% of craigslist and was one of only three craigslist stockholders. The other two stockholders were Craig Newmark (“Craig”) and James Buckmaster (“Jim”),1 who together own a majority of craigslist’s shares and dominate the craigslist board.
    [Show full text]
  • Swagger Like Us: Black Millennials' Perceptions of 1990S Urban Brands
    Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2018 Swagger like us: Black millennials’ perceptions of 1990s urban brands Courtney Danielle Johnson Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Part of the American Material Culture Commons, and the Fashion Design Commons Recommended Citation Johnson, Courtney Danielle, "Swagger like us: Black millennials’ perceptions of 1990s urban brands" (2018). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 16600. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/16600 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Swagger like us: Black millennials’ perceptions of 1990s urban brands by Courtney Danielle Johnson A thesis submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Major: Apparel, Merchandising and Design Program of study committee: Eulanda A. Sanders, Co-major Professor Kelly L. Reddy-Best, Co-major Professor Tera Jordan The student author, whose presentation of the scholarship herein was approved by the program of study committee, is solely responsible for the content of this thesis. The Graduate College will ensure this thesis is globally accessible and will not permit alterations after a degree is conferred. Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2018 Copyright © Courtney Danielle Johnson, 2018. All rights reserved. ii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to Black folks.
    [Show full text]
  • The Kijiji Second-Hand Economy Index 2016 Report
    The Kijiji Second-Hand Economy Index 2016 Report “Nearly 85% of Canadians have participated in some form of second-hand transactions (monetary or non-monetary) in the last year.“ TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to the Kijiji Second-Hand Economy Index ������������������������������������������ 1 Highlights & observations ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Intensity of Canadians’ second-hand practices ������������������������������������������������������� 5 Second-hand economy profiles ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11 Most commonly exchanged goods ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 Channels used for second-hand practices ������������������������������������������������������������ 14 Canadian consumer motivations ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17 Online purchase & reselling behavior �������������������������������������������������������������������� 19 Economic benefits ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22 Economic conclusions�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 25 Methodology & research ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 30 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE KIJIJI SECOND-HAND ECONOMY INDEX In 2015, the Kijiji Second-Hand Economy Index launched to more closely examine the growing phenomenon that
    [Show full text]
  • State of Mobile 2020
    1 1 2 0 2 0 S T A T E O F M O B I L E Executive Summary 204B $120B 3.7 Hrs 825% 60% Worldwide Downloads Worldwide App Store Per day spent in mobile Higher avg IPO Higher per user in 2019 Consumer Spend by the average user valuation for mobile engagement in 2019 in 2019 companies in 2019 by Gen Z vs older demos in 2019 2 State of Mobile | Copyright 2020 | App Annie Table of Contents ● Macro Mobile Trends 5 ● Gaming 13 ● Finance 22 ● Retail 27 ● Streaming 32 ● Social 36 ● Other Industries Embracing Mobile Transformation 40 ● Worldwide Rankings 45 3 State of Mobile | Copyright 2020 | App Annie The Mobile Performance Standard Through our mobile data and insights platform, we help create winning mobile experiences for those aspiring to achieve excellence 4 State of Mobile | Copyright 2020 | App Annie MACRO MOBILE TRENDS Top Countries by App Store Downloads Consumers Downloaded a Record 120B 240B 100B 200B Growth From 2016 to 2019 204 Billion Apps Worldwide Downloads Worldwide 80B 160B ● Annual worldwide downloads have grown 45% in — Worldwide 45% the 3 years since 2016 and 6% year over year, — China 80% 60B 120B which is particularly impressive given this excludes — India 190% re-installs and app updates. — United States 5% 40B 80B — Brazil 40% ● Downloads are largely fueled by emerging Country-Level Downloads Country-Level markets, including India, Brazil and Indonesia. — Indonesia 70% 20B 40B ● Consumers in mature markets like the US, Japan and Korea have seen download growth level off, 0B 0B but are still seeking out new apps.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Thesis
    AN EXAMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN ITALIAN AND AMERICAN FASHION CULTURES: PAST, PRESENT, AND PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE BY: MARY LOUISE HOTZE TC 660H PLAN II HONORS PROGRAM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN MAY 10, 2018 ______________________________ JESSICA CIARLA DEPARTMENT OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL SUPERVISING PROFESSOR ______________________________ ANTONELLA DEL FATTORE-OLSON DEPARTMENT OF FRENCH AND ITALIAN SECOND READER TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract…………………………………………….…………………………………………….…………………………………… 3 Acknowledgements………………………………………….…………………………………………….…………..……….. 4 Introduction………………………………………….…………………………………………….…………………….…….…. 5 Part 1: History of Italian Fashion……...……...……..……...……...……...……...……...……...……...... 9 – 47 AnCiEnt Rome and thE HoLy Roman EmpirE…………………………………………………….……….…... 9 ThE MiddLE AgEs………………………………………….……………………………………………………….…….. 17 ThE REnaissanCE……………………………………….……………………………………………………………...… 24 NeoCLassism to RomantiCism……………………………………….…………………………………….……….. 32 FasCist to REpubLiCan Italy……………………………………….…………………………………….……………. 37 Part 2: History of American Fashion…………………………………………….……………………………… 48 – 76 ThE ColoniaL PEriod……………………………………….……………………………………………………………. 48 ThE IndustriaL PEriod……………………………………….……………………………………………………….…. 52 ThE CiviL War and Post-War PEriod……………………………………….……………………………………. 58 ThE EarLy 20th Century……………………………………….………………………………………………….……. 63 ThE Mid 20th Century……………………………………….…………………………………………………………. 67 ThE LatE 20th Century……………………………………….………………………………………………………… 72 Part 3: Discussion of Individual
    [Show full text]
  • Wainwright Fire and Rescue on the Scene Page 3
    $2.2M$2,200,000 $2,100,000 $2,000,000$2.0M $1,900,000 $1,800,000 $1,700,000 $1,600,000 MOTORS We carry a wide selection of $1.5M$1,500,000 RV parts & accessories including $1,400,000 TOLL FREE: 1 (888) 842-4471 chemicals, BBQ’s, Electric jacks, $1,300,000 2110 15 Ave. Wainwright, AB $1,200,000 Come and Visit Us at levelling blocks & SO MUCH MORE! $1,100,000 www.wainalta.com $1.0M$1,000,000 $900,000 $800,000 $700,000 $600,000 WƢƥƥƞƫƭƨƧ $0.5M$500,000 SKI-DOO & GOLF CART LTD $400,000 Wainwright, AB $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 Sales, Parts & Service $000,000 780-842-4775 CT SCANNER PROJECT DONATIONS can be made at all ®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier April 26, 2019 Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates Wainwright Banks and Each Star News Inc. Wainwright AB. Volume 6 Number 27 Our mission: To serve our readers with news and advertising of high integrity. Encompass Credit Union in the area. Wainwright Fire and Rescue on the scene Page 3 Wainwright Fire and Rescue members responded quickly to a call for a hay baler on fi re in a fi eld just north of Wainwright on Tuesday afternoon. The Photo: Zak McLachlan farmer was able to save his tractor by abandoning the baler quickly, and fi re crews were able to douse the baler with water before the fi re could spread anywhere else. FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH 0MAY 7/19 pto SAVE 10% % * GUARANTEED! SCRATCH up to off *Some restrictions apply.
    [Show full text]
  • A First-Hand Experience for a Second-Hand Product: the Success of Online Luxury Resellers
    A first-hand experience for a second-hand product: the success of online luxury resellers Beatriz Estrela Duarte Dissertation written under the supervision of Laure Leglise Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of requirements for the MSc in Management with specialization in Strategic Marketing, at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 2020. Abstract – English Title: A first-hand experience for a second-hand product: the success of online luxury resellers Author: Beatriz Estrela Duarte The purpose of this research is to understand how luxury resellers successful create value-added propositions within the online context, posing a challenge to the exclusivity inherent to the luxury reality. We used a qualitative approach to analyse three online second-hand players and drew our conclusions on the Business Model Canvas. The findings of the present research show that the success of luxury online resellers is built on (1) a diversified, personalised and curated luxury assortment, (2) wider customer reach enabled by online, (3) trusted authentication processes, (4) powerful network effect, (5) proprietary technology and in-house skilled staff. These are assets difficult to replicate which raises barriers to entry and are further complemented with offline expansion and partnerships with luxury brands. This research is relevant for both incumbent companies and new entrants alike, as well as luxury companies to better understand the value of the second-hand luxury market. Keywords: second-hand, luxury, resale, online 2 Abstract – Portuguese Título: Uma experiência em primeira mão para um produto em segunda mão: o sucesso dos revendedores de luxo online Autor: Beatriz Estrela Duarte O objetivo da presente tese é compreender como os revendedores de luxo são bem-sucedidos a criar propostas de valor acrescentado no contexto online, colocando um desafio à exclusividade inerente à realidade do luxo.
    [Show full text]
  • Protecting Moral Rights Without Disturbing the Fashion Dynamic
    Note The Sartorial Dilemma of Knockoffs: Protecting Moral Rights without Disturbing the Fashion Dynamic Margaret E. Wade In the months leading up to the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton‘s wedding, the future Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kept Catherine‘s gown a secret. But as soon as she stepped out to reveal Sarah Burton‘s Alexander McQueen creation to the world, copycat designers began work- ing on knockoffs available for a fraction of the price.1 A similar phenomenon occurs every year during awards season, when film and television stars parade in couture gowns on the red carpet and copycat designers immediately manufacture repli- cas.2 Beyond the glitz of high couture, an emerging designer‘s worst nightmare is to discover copies of her original designs in ―fast fashion‖ stores like H&M, Zara, and Forever 21.3 In a typ- J.D. Candidate 2012, University of Minnesota Law School; B.A. 2008, St. Olaf College. Copyright © 2011 by Margaret E. Wade, J.D. Candidate 2012, University of Minnesota Law School; B.A. 2008, St. Olaf College. Many thanks to Professor William McGeveran for helpful advice and mentorship, and to the Editors and Staff of the Minnesota Law Review, notably Laura Arneson and Sharon Grawe for their helpful suggestions and thoughtful edits. Special thanks to Miriam Carlson for fashion design inspiration. Finally, deepest thanks to Marti Wade, Ann-Charlotte Wade, and David Sayre for their con- stant love and support. Copyright © 2011 by Margaret E. Wade. 1. See Cheryl Wischhover, The First Kate Middleton Knockoff Wedding Gowns and Accessories Hit Stores; Here Are the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, FASHIONISTA (May 2, 2011, 12:10 PM), http://fashionista.com/2011/05/check-out -the-first-kate-middleton-knockoff-wedding-gowns-and-accessories/; see also Now You Can Own a Kate Middleton Knockoff Ring, GAWKER (Nov.
    [Show full text]
  • Fashion Frustrated: Why the Innovative Design Protection Act Is a Necessary Step in the Right Direction, but Not Quite Enough Casey E
    Brooklyn Journal of Corporate, Financial & Commercial Law Volume 7 | Issue 1 Article 9 2012 Fashion Frustrated: Why the Innovative Design Protection Act is a Necessary Step in the Right Direction, But Not Quite Enough Casey E. Callahan Follow this and additional works at: https://brooklynworks.brooklaw.edu/bjcfcl Recommended Citation Casey E. Callahan, Fashion Frustrated: Why the Innovative Design Protection Act is a Necessary Step in the Right Direction, But Not Quite Enough, 7 Brook. J. Corp. Fin. & Com. L. (2012). Available at: https://brooklynworks.brooklaw.edu/bjcfcl/vol7/iss1/9 This Note is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at BrooklynWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Brooklyn Journal of Corporate, Financial & Commercial Law by an authorized editor of BrooklynWorks. FASHION FRUSTRATED: WHY THE INNOVATIVE DESIGN PROTECTION ACT IS A NECESSARY STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT NOT QUITE ENOUGH INTRODUCTION In 2007, Proenza Schouler, headed by designers Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez, released a capsule collection with Target through the store’s Go International Designer Collective.1 In 2011, Target re-released some of the items from the collection,2 an action that can certainly be attributed to the prior success of the collection itself, but also one that can be attributed to the explosive success Proenza Schouler has seen within the last several years.3 Much of this success is thanks to the PS1, a shoulder bag retailing for between $1,695 and $9,250 in its mid-range size4 that became the “It” bag of the fashion world immediately upon its release in 2008 and has yet to see any hint of a decline.5 However, in the same year, Target released a $34.99 messenger bag that looked alarmingly similar to the PS1—so similar, in fact, that it was brought to the attention of the PS1 designers, who were not very happy about it.6 Shirley Cook, CEO of Proenza Schouler, voiced their frustration by saying, “So our product is in Target right now, and then this bag comes out .
    [Show full text]