Designer Isabel Marant has one of the hottest labels in the world right now and where the flowers of success bloom, others are always in the shadows looking to capitalize from it. In a recent interview with Telegraph Fashion, Marant expressed disdain for those knocking off her coveted wedge sneakers stating, “Everybody who has the wrong one looks quite bitchy, very vulgar, when mine are not at all.”
I’m not sure how a pair of footwear makes one look “bitchy,” but I guess anything is possible right? Let’s be honest: Mademoiselle Marant added a wedge to an already pretty popular silhouette for a feminine flair and then beefed up the price to match the rest of her wares. Of course everyone would run to remake the styles: not only are they functional, but they’re great spins on the classic design.
With mentions in rap songs by Rick Ross and a slew of celebs sporting the designs including Beyoncé, Nicky Hilton, Jessica Alba, and others, fast-fashion brands would have been remiss to not create the “look for less”, so that the everyday woman can look like her favorite stylish stars right?
The sneakers have been redone by every “affordable” brand out there. Other fashionable alternatives have been created by Ash and Nike, though in lace-up styles. Not sure if these two are filed under Marant’s knockoff list, but they were definitely inspired by the trend.
I have long been contemplating purchasing the $755 Booper Sneakers since silver metallic is such an easy shade to wear day-in and day-out, but justifying the price has been a bit difficult for me. I’ve spent more than double that on handbags, but not just yet on sneakers. Such a dilemma!
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At the end of the day, I will never be over the wedge sneaker trend because I’ve never gotten over sneakers. I’ve been wearing them as long as I can remember and wedge sneakers are a new and fun alternative. I’m not sure what makes the knockoffs any more “vulgar” than Marant’s other than cheaper leather and much lower price tags, but I say buy into the trend however you choose. I surely have!
At any rate, are you over the wedge sneaker trend?
If you haven’t quite had your fill, shop til’ you drop here.
March 12, 2013 6:22 pm
yea..i get where her anger is coming from…u sit down and create something unique and bam every tom dick and harry is designing their own pair..even marc jacobs got on the wagon…its vexing when lazy designers wait for creative minds to create something so that they can knock it off. unfortunately theres nothing she can do about it..all fashion labels steal ideas from other fashion labels..
March 12, 2013 6:29 pm
I think what she means are the wedge sneakers steve madden and target who didn’t even try to do something slightly original just blatantly copied the orginials
March 12, 2013 6:47 pm
It could be argued that creating a wedge sneaker in the first place is “vulgar”… a few years ago fashion insiders would be side eyeing the notion of fashionable sneakers that are not flat, low topped and made of canvas. I’ve been debating for a year now if i should even buy a knock off version from aldo because im feeling the trend out.. i just dont want to look back on my photos in 5 years like wth was i thinking in those dreadful sneaker wedges lol just my opinion
March 12, 2013 6:58 pm
I’m shocked she designed such “Vulgar” shoes in the first place. I hate those things and I refuse to spend not even a penny on wedge sneakers that are so “played”
March 12, 2013 7:02 pm
I don’t like the ones she calls vulgar or HERS reminds me too much of the spice girlss. It’s too early to bring that style back lol at least for me. But good for her. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
March 12, 2013 7:15 pm
I understand she is angry about other designers copying her style, but get over yourself. Please, at the end of the day they are just another pair of over priced sneaks. Granted they are cute, but they are sneaks all the same!
March 12, 2013 7:19 pm
I beg to differ but wedge sneakers were not created by Ms Marant. They were available on the market many years before hers came.
March 12, 2013 7:22 pm
She in no way invented wedge sneakers. I have worked in the athletic footwear industry for over 15 years…and they were done years ago, and they never took off. Timing in fashion and innovator adoption ,as well as well placed product placement and press, are imperative for a trend to take off, and the cycle dictates that there will be imitators once there is mass acceptance. She needs to get over herself .
March 12, 2013 7:24 pm
She wasn’t the first to design wedge sneakers. I agree its in bad taste to completely copy her design but the style of a wedge sneaker itself can’t be credited to her alone. Dries van noten had wedge sneakers. I remember Mariah in wedge sneakers years ago. Also if you are gonna complain about imitators, make sure yours is the best. Those Ash sneakers look way better than her designs.
March 12, 2013 7:33 pm
The Steve Madden versions are insulting to her brand and her creative process and are blatant copies. It doesn’t matter who invented them first, she made them popular. The other versions didn’t take off for various reasons and hers did.
I think Guiseppe makes the best ones tbh and I like my Zara version w/studs. I hate that stupid star she affixes on some styles and I wish the sole was the same color as the upper.
March 12, 2013 7:35 pm
I agree with everyone else. All fashion/trends are knocked off and offered by other brands or retailers at a discount price (ie zara, h&m, etc). If she doesn’t like it she should create a lower line that is more affordable (ie B By Brian Atwood)
March 12, 2013 7:50 pm
As a stated over at the Sytle and Beauty Doctor, people are willing to spend $600 on wedge sneakers will do so, those who are not will not. At the end of the day how many customers is she really loosing for those of us who get the Steve Madden version?
March 12, 2013 7:57 pm
I for one am completely over the sneaker wedge trend. It was fun at first but it’s over saturated and looks a bit silly to be honest
March 12, 2013 8:09 pm
i will gladly look “vulgar” and buy myself a pair of wedge sneakers from steve madden, ash bowie etc….Im ballin on a budget and isabel marants are simply not part of my budget
March 12, 2013 8:11 pm
Sneakers are for the gym, or unless you have orthopedic issues lol. Wedge sneakers are plain tacky.
March 12, 2013 8:18 pm
$640.00 for a pair of sneakers is “vulgar”. Wedge sneakers is not an original idea created by this designer…..i’m sorry she needs to get over herself. Like someone one else said, the people who bought the cheaper version, would just do without her expensive ass shoes had there not been an alternative.
March 12, 2013 8:23 pm
Its insulting to pay 700+ for a trendy sneaker…she created something ppl want and only 5% can afford..cry me a river while you count your millions!
March 12, 2013 8:24 pm
I understand where she’s coming from but she has to understand that it comes with the territory…just like manolos back in the day…ya swag will always going to be jacked…its the way of the world…I think the whole wedged sneakers bit is “bitchy”…lol..but to each is own
March 12, 2013 8:34 pm
It’s Ugly but Nike’s are better guess cause they are known for sneakers they could one up her and at $160 much more affordable those are what I would get if I wanted those ugly shoes
March 12, 2013 8:35 pm
I only wear sneakers to work or the gym, but I just got on the bandwagon and bought a pair of wedge. I kinda like Em. I ball on a budget as well. Sorry Miss Marant!
March 12, 2013 8:46 pm
HaHa! Luv my plain black Steve Maddens! I REFUSED to pay $700 for a pair of damn sneakers (wedge heel or not) and I don’t care WHAT your name is- I NEVER WILL…. Do I pay $600 for my Jimmy Choo’s yes (and I expect a good resale value if I decide to sell them) but Isabel Marant sneakers? Hell no!
March 12, 2013 8:59 pm
Never gotten on the trend, I usually wear sneakers when I work out other than that if I am in casual mood I grab a pair of flats. But I agree with those who stated she is not the first to coin wedge sneakers, her design (with loads of celebrities help) brought them back into the forefront but she wasn’t the originator of them, so…yeah. Besides, top designers should already get the memo that there are budget friendly brands/companies that will make “designer inspired” pieces/footwear for much less. I think a lot of these top designers are butt hurt because other friendly brands/companies are tapping in a market…i.e. working people…they heavily ignored.
March 12, 2013 9:05 pm
I dunno if Marant is the first. I bought my Ash wedge sneakers back in 2010.
March 12, 2013 9:32 pm
She sould be flattered. Everybody copies in fashion, not everyone can afford $700 shoes. Get over it.
March 12, 2013 9:47 pm
shuddup shuddup shaahduuup /chandler bing voice
March 12, 2013 10:05 pm
I agree with Emily. The trend has been around for years. In the 90s there was the sneaker wedge trend. Nothing is new in fashion. Everything gets replicated and repeated. The only thing that makes it popular or “the best” is which celebrity is wearing it.
March 12, 2013 10:23 pm
I just can’t get with the wedge sneaker trend.
March 12, 2013 10:39 pm
Nike came out with wedge sneakers a LONG time ago and they didn’t sell. Their first release was a purple/white/yellow color way or something like that.
March 12, 2013 10:48 pm
Girl stop. Those ain’t nothing but a Reebok Classic with a heel on em! I hate the term “knock-off” by the way. Its a sneaker. A useful article. Design something truly unique and maybe you get the copyright or patent protection it deserves. Until then designers will continue to design and mid-level retailers will continue to make those designer affordable to the masses.
March 12, 2013 11:15 pm
Marant getting upset by blatant copies of her design is fair enough but it happens all the time. I love sneakers. Some ladies can’t pull them off so I can understand why they don’t like the trend. I have a collection of Reeboks, Nike and Jordan’s. I also have a few Ash wedge sneakers and plan on getting more. Loving wedge sneakers I hope they’re here to stay.
March 13, 2013 12:22 am
Oh she should go somewhere! She wasn’t even the first person to make them! And I refuse to spend 700 bucks on a damn shoe. I’m in college I can’t afford that! Lol! I like my Steve Madden ones.
March 13, 2013 1:04 am
She didn’t create the “sneaker wedge” trend, those who wore’wear them created the popularity of the shoe, and thought it may be discouraging to see the knockoffs being made I believe there is no loss of profit to her line. Those who can afford Marants, buy Marants and those who can’t buy the trend else where. Trends trickle down and flow up it’s the story of fashion.
March 13, 2013 1:22 am
Those black sneaker wedges are not at all fashionable
March 13, 2013 1:34 am
i love wedge sneakers. i don’t really care about brands. but i would never spend more then $100 on any shoe. its good that there are cheaper versions that way everyone can afford to have them and not just people with a large bank balance. my favourite thing about them is the remind me so much of those of those spice girl platform sneakers theory had wen i was a kid used to love them so much too. wish they still sold them as well.
March 13, 2013 1:46 am
I love my Zara knockoffs. I’ll admit that a lot of the knockoffs have a wedge that is so obvious and that I don’t like. I think as someone that took the popularity to the next level, that would irritate me but it’s the nature of the beast. Having said that I’m not spending close to a grand on tennis shoes..now, when a grand starts feeling like $100 maybe.
March 13, 2013 2:01 am
People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. I’m on board with most people here. She is not the originator of the wedge sneaker so she clearly took the idea from someone else so her rant is pointless. “Vulgar” is paying $700 for a pair of sneakers just because they have a name attached to them. As someone said, the ppl who can afford to pay that price or who want to will do so. Those of us who are not wealthy celebs won’t & will find what we like within our price range. At the end of the day, you’re still making millions. Cry me a river.
March 13, 2013 2:09 am
Way too much free time. Eyeroll. Get over yaself. She didnt come up with it originally and she is complaining bc people are rocking her shoes?! She is making $$$. Who cares if there are cheaper versions? God forbid us “normal” people, ones who want to not throw away $600 for a trend, want to rcok the trend at a lower reasonable price.
March 13, 2013 2:27 am
not one to jump on the trend bandwagon, so i don’t own a pair and never had the desire but i get the appeal. people going crazy for these wedge sneakers today reminds me of how almost everybody jumped on those Manolo Blahnik “Timberland” heeled boots that J.Lo made popular several years ago.
March 13, 2013 3:13 am
Sit down Miz Marant, I bought my Ash sneaker wedges in 2010 and yours seem to have made the celeb rounds in the past 12 months. Pretty sure the concept has been out there for a while now.
March 13, 2013 7:54 am
As a self-confessed sneaker (or as we London say) trainer lover, her comments really grate my nerves. First of all, NOTHING in fashion can be considered innovative or new at this point. All ideas have been developed at some point in history, most things are just spun differently and sold as something completely new. It is all about timing, marketing and celebrity.
As for the heeled trainer….simply put, they are horrendous. Whether Marants, Ash or Nike the design is ugly and completely played out at this point. Women who would turn their nose up at trainers in the past, have been propelled to spend an obscene amount of money just to ‘be on trend’. Sad.
March 13, 2013 8:23 am
Copies??? These shoes were inspired by the high heeled sneakers from back in the 70′s. They look familiar to begin with. They are cute but it is not as if she created the full body suit DKNY brought to fashion in the 80′s. When it comes to recent fashion most of it is inspired by the past in some way but not very original at all. The inspirations revisited are however relevant to our culture today. So don”t crown yourself just yet. Come up with something else that we have not seen and must add to our fashion crave, then we will decide whether or not to crown you.
March 13, 2013 8:43 am
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March 13, 2013 9:12 am
I think Isabel Marant needs to get over herself. Her price point was way out of line for regular working “fashionistas” and frankly when I saw celebs wearing her version last year, I thought they were ugly. But as other companies created modified versions, I saw more styles that I actually liked and bought a pair by ASH (for less than $100).
Thank you ladies for presenting all of those other options – I really like that Nike version that LaLa has on and found that Nordstrom has it in navy so that might become my 2nd pair.
March 13, 2013 9:38 am
Somebody should definitely clear Ms. Marant up. She copied Ash, because they have definitely been on the market for years, just with shoe strings, instead of straps. And as far as fashion goes, they all copy each other, time after time, year after year, originality died along time ago!
March 13, 2013 9:43 am
UMMMkkkkk….here is a tip to stop the knock offs……make your expensive pair and then createa more affordable pair…. Knock offs cheapen your brand……making your brand affordable for all…insures longevity…….
March 13, 2013 9:58 am
There is nothing new under the sun. Didn’t your grandma tell you that? It’s about being inspired, remixing and moving forward. I am not over the wedge sneaker trend. It’s a perfect mix for me cause as much as I love sneaks – I like my heels and “girlie-ness”. Frankly, some of the “knockoffs” have been hotter than Isabel’s. Just sayin …………
Finally, I’m SO over the whole ‘if you can’t afford something super expensive then you’re lame (aka bitchy and vulgar). Couldn’t the ridic prices of designer goods also be considered vulgar?
March 13, 2013 10:01 am
The Marants are too puffy, like wearing puffer jacket strapped to your feet, not to mention the puffy price. But I am so on those NY & Paris dunks.
March 13, 2013 10:02 am
This is why I love Fashionbombdaily
March 13, 2013 10:23 am
The sneaker wedges are hideous, I don’t care how many celebs I see in them I still think they look tacky.
March 13, 2013 10:38 am
I agree with anyommousisabelmarant./ wasn’t the first it was out for a while she just made it famous Ash was the first … She’s need to be quite and sit on her money with no complaints ..greediness …now if it was jeffrey campbell I would understand with lita because that idea was new and copied
March 13, 2013 10:40 am
I’m not reading all of these responses (it irritates me that they read from the bottom up) but I’m sure someone has already said this….wedge sneakers have been around for a long time. She re-invented a trend and put a high price tag on it.
March 13, 2013 10:40 am
I understand what she is saying and I can sympathise but she comes across as damn precious to me and up her own arse. She needs to get over herself. It’s the nature of the beast. Catwalk fashion has always filtered down. That’s a fact. She should be flattered that she’s been copied. I came late to the trainer with wedge look, but I love them. I bought a pair from H & M and they’re comfy and look good too. The Zara ones are pretty gorg as well.
March 13, 2013 10:43 am
and for people saying the wedge trend is over, we may be tired of it but these sneakers have been out for a while (a new style/color every season), long before they became popular in the US.
March 13, 2013 10:46 am
Oh and for the record, some of the copies are not vulgar, Steve Madden managed to copy her shoe quite well and I’m quite insulted that he could do it for $150 instead of $640. We’re not talking about another designer copying her shoes, we are talking about high profit mass production companies like Target, Zara, Charlotte Russe, etc…it is what it is.
March 13, 2013 10:56 am
“vulgar”? B*tch, have a stadium full of seats.
March 13, 2013 12:22 pm
I love sneakers but w/out wedges, not a huge fan of the blk marants but i like the colorway of most others. The knockoffs are wack so i see where she’s coming from..knockoffs of anything are pretty lame and if she didn’t start the trend she definitely set fire under the ass of the trend so she can claim rights to it.
March 13, 2013 12:24 pm
never liked them. reminds me of astronaut boots. so not my style.
p.s.- i think ‘vulgar’ is the French equivalent to ‘wack’.
which i find both her shoes & her statement. ;-/
March 13, 2013 12:38 pm
I love the wedge sneaker look! However, Ms. Marant needs to get her head out of her ass and realize that not everyone can afford her brand of shoes. I’ve found them WAAAY cheaper and they are just as cute if not CUTER!
March 13, 2013 12:46 pm
@Crystal, Guess and BCBG did the wedge ‘gym shoe’ back in the 90′s, this is NOT new to the US sorry…..I’m probably leaving out a few designers. Def not new here.
March 13, 2013 1:18 pm
@Kitana, I said HER wedge sneaker was late to the US. I also said that wedge sneakers in general have been around since forever so I agree with your statement.
March 13, 2013 1:43 pm
Glad people know that wedge sneakers have been out since the 90′s. I was about to have a heart attack typing so furiously. Psshh. She needs to get gawn with that. No ma’am!
March 13, 2013 2:06 pm
Ms. Marant needs to be schooled! I am 42 and back in the day I had wedge sneakers. In my opinion, she is “vulgar”. Are only the wealthy allowed to look stylish? At times I cannot take the selfishness and ignorance of those who believe they are in an elite group because they have money.
March 13, 2013 2:14 pm
Say what you want… Nothing compares to the real deal! I love my Isabel Beckett’s!!!! Steve Maddens copies are gross compared to hers. sorry ;)
March 13, 2013 2:21 pm
If she is a designer or an artist for that matter she should know we all inspire each other so she can go have a seat about what’s VULGAR she is no EINSTEIN!
March 13, 2013 2:22 pm
ROFL – Ah well yes you too could own a pair of Wedge Sneakers they start at $30.00 at GOJANE! The prices above are laughable…
March 13, 2013 2:25 pm
You can purchase a cheaper pair at GO JANE they start at $30.00
March 13, 2013 2:29 pm
She sounds like that one friend who doesn’t like telling her girls where she bought something out of fear they might buy and or look better in it. No such thing as new ideas just reinvented. Jordan heels anyone? Same concept. People who can’t afford the 700 dollar price tag aren’t going to purchase EVEN IF Target Steve Madden and Ash weren’t making cheaper alternatives. I dig the wedged sneaker but it will be on its way out soon.
March 13, 2013 2:33 pm
Why is she so mad? She should be happy that they’re being copied off when she created/invented them first…c’mon lady…
March 13, 2013 3:03 pm
Wedge sneakers have been around since the 90s. I’m 27 and I’m just getting into the trend. But I was recently hanging out with a couple girlfriends of mine who are in their mid-30s, and they were reminiscing on the wedge sneakers they rocked in high school.
Nothing in fashion is new. Isabel needs to sit down somewhere.
March 13, 2013 3:13 pm
I’ve been over these shoes since I’ve seen them. They are everywhere in every color. I don’t really care for this look reminds me kango sneakers I had in high school.
March 13, 2013 3:38 pm
I get her anger but she also needs to get over herself, take it as a compliment and move on. I’m personally over the trend but I think it is going to linger a while longer. I bought a pair of knockoffs myself, and each time I wore them I realize how much I didn’t like the trend lol. I finally posted my used pair on eBay and it sold in less than a day!
March 13, 2013 3:45 pm
Ash actually had wedge sneakers BEFORE Marant came out with the “trend”, If anything Marant is copying them.
March 13, 2013 8:08 pm
From a white European woman who blatantly ripped off Native American culture (http://nyti.ms/ZMv1Yy), this is rich.
March 14, 2013 3:05 am
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March 14, 2013 3:06 am
wapewtmwqisn
March 14, 2013 9:29 am
Yeah that trend is dead. It will be hot for summer than thats about it.
March 14, 2013 3:48 pm
Im glad she’s sitting in the photo. All the chairs around her, she can pick. She needs to have several seats. Im glad they knocked them off. $700 for wedge sneakers is ridiculous. $700?? I would be curious to know where these shoes were made… probably somewhere where the worker is grossly underpaid. THAT’S VULGAR.
Sneakers are urban wear anyways. She goes and puts a heel in the back, now she’s creative?? Ummm, a no. It is a trend, and next year, nobody will be thinking about “sneaker wedges”. I am goin to rock my $25 wedge shoes till it goes out of style. Realistically that’s all they are worth (probably less) anyways.
March 14, 2013 11:09 pm
The only reason why it is “vulgar” is because every knockoff pair she doesn’t get $700 -__- She needs to have several more seats in addition to the one she is sitting on
March 15, 2013 4:33 am
i think the isabel marant is copy from upere wedge sneakers
March 15, 2013 6:02 pm
there were not wedge sneakers in the nineties, they were PLATFORM sneakers….and if Isabel Marant did not want her idea copied, then maybe she shouldn’t have gotten into the fashion business. Does she realize that almost everything done now has been done before, in a different way? There is hardly anything original anymore, only old ideas with some tweaks…and yes, I LOVE wedge sneakers…
March 19, 2013 4:30 pm
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March 23, 2013 8:09 pm
First seen wedge sneakers in the 90′s. Sorry, but you were the copycat here. You should get off your high horse, Isabel Marant.
Your sneaker wedges are ridiculously over priced.
April 23, 2013 9:31 am
Designers who sell $700.00 sneakers should not be ticked off at someone designing and selling lower priced versions. This is one case where I think the “knockoffs” maybe less vulgar than the “originals”.