a horse is a horse?

>>  Here's one that's almost as bad as the Marc Jacobs scarf debacle of February 2008.  Martin Margiela created an emphasized-shoulder cotton t-shirt with an esoteric horse graphic as part of his Spring 2008 collection.  The shirt has been sell-out, even at a whopping $1,395 a pop. 

Problem is, the image on the tee is nearly identical to an image painted by British artist David Penfound in 1998, which also covers t-shirts . . . thatretail for $19.95.  Margiela's reps say their graphic is a "collage of nostalgic images compiled in-house," but you can jump to your own conclusions.  Let's just put it this way: When asked about the similarity, Penfound said he planned on contacting Margiela.

*images: source, source

Comments

[molly]

While I wouldn't be willing to pay $1,395 for that design concept ever, I think the Margiela version is much more aesthetically pleasing--the "original" looks like it's from a street vendor, and I wouldn't even attempt passing it as a knockoff (or publicly wearable garment).

[Sherry]

I picture the original on someone buying an extra-large order of nachos and a foot-long hot dog.

[Sherry]

But it would be really easy to buy the original for $12 and then cut it down to make one of the tunic/dresses by Margiela. And that wouldn't look as trashy.

[Rowena]

Yes - that's an impressive mark up from a slightly prettier/edgier version.

[Annie]

I think both shirts are totally hesh.