hello design community!
I am doing a story on designer furniture knock offs to be featured in NYC newspaper Metro and would like to hear from those in the industry about the furniture/accessory knockoffs -- do they exist? Are they worth it? Do they fall apart like knockoff handbags?
please respond to this post with comments and also let me know if you would like to be interviewed this weekend.
Hi reportergirl
If you put: intellectual property in the search in forum box (just under news and search) you will find already a substantial amount of material on copies etc. If you put the word copy in the same box you will be refered to 80% of the over 3000 topics on this forum since the start....good luck!
Buying Reproductions Made to Spec
Hi,
Yes, it is possible to purchase designer knockoffs made to spec with quality materials.
I am owner of Hides & Co. We sell quality modern classic reproductions covered in fine cowhide or buttery soft aniline leather through our website www.hidesandco.com. We carry Mies van der Rohe, Charles & Ray Eames, Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier, Noguchi, and more.
Although I have 10 years of China manufacturing experience and speak fluent Mandarin, I have chosen to have our modern classic furniture produced in South America. South America provides us with access to high quality leather, an established quality conscious supply base and skilled furniture craftsman. Futhermore, lower currency values in South America relative to the US Dollar allows us to fill the void in the market for reproductions indistinguishable from the originals at a price that many modern classic design enthusiasts can afford. What sets us apart from the rest is our ability to custom cover the furniture in a variety of hair-on cowhides-natural, dyed, and exotic animal print.
Would love to share my experience and thoughts about knockoffs. I am available for interview anytime. service@hidesandco.com so I can give you my direct telephone number.
Warmest Regards. http://www.hidesandco.com
posted by ModernClassicsCowhideRugs
P&A my I ask?
I was preparing the answer/question, I was just wanted to ask:
ModernClassicsCowhideRugs:
As you love to share your experience and thoughts?
Why although you have 10 years of China manufacturing experience and speak fluent Mandarin, Do you choose South American suppliers?
gustavo good question
We have gone round and round with the Chinese on this forum. and if you have a good understanding of their language, Why would you not want to deal with them? I checked into the products made in Argentina and have a local number and visted with a lovely American girl in Argentina,
Their big thing is the leather and they are very proud of it in Argentina , I looked at your web site and it seems that your Barcelona's are high at around 1250. While the Alphaville comes in around 600.00 with very nice leather why should they be double? They are both considered to be repoductions ,
LRF
You,ll see why I post so little, I made a mistake again.
It,s not my web site nor my post.
The original post was posted by ?ModernClassicsCowhideRugs? and the web site is from them.
I Just asked to ModernClassicsCowhideRugs:
Why although you have 10 years of China manufacturing experience and speak fluent Mandarin, Do you choose South American suppliers?
Sorry for the mistake, I still hope ModernClassicsCowhideRugs can tell.
Sorry, sorry, sorry
Do you ask me?
My English is very bad and/or my brain has two finger, s size,
Wich question?
1)
We have gone round and round with the Chinese on this forum. and if you have a good understanding of their language, Why would you not want to deal with them?
2)
While the Alphaville comes in around 600.00 with very nice leather why should they be double than the other barcelona?
Why Not China?
I could have easily imported Argentine or Italian aniline leather to a factory in China. But, solid and durable piece of furniture goes beyond leather. Its not that I have not chosen to "deal" with the Chinese, as I have produced millions of consumer products in China. China is a country I would continue to do business with for mass consumer market. China provides a significant value and vast capacities for many mass products, industrial components, and other commodities. But Hides & Co. purpose is a higher end product, which deserves careful attention to detail and craftsmanship. Therefore, I felt that South America was the most appropriate region to produce our product.
Do you know how many container loads of products other Modern Classic wholesalers that produce in China has had to reject? Do you know where their rejected furniture can be found today? This is a challenge that many foreign companies doing business in China face.
I know China business and manfacturing inside and out. But moreover, I have built a global network of world-class manufacturers, which spans many countries and regions. As an importer of furniture into the US, it is my responsiblity to match the most appropriate producer to meet our customers quality level requirement at a price they can afford.
The "China Price" is not laid out on the table.
As they say in the footwear business, "When Italy is not an option (high price, euro) go to Brazil".
ModernClassicsCowhideRugs
i like what you say and i hear you
I have bought several repoduction pieces for my offcie one being a marshmellow sofa the other a Nelson bench.
I had to have one of the staff carpenters take them apart and redo them especially the nelson bench that we remade completely do to inferior work.
I have learned my lesson with those people I have bought three pieces in 2 years from them and had to have two remade so that is not a impressive track record .
I do know from talking to several
people that the the folks in Argentina do a great job on the leather but i would have to say that was what the Chinese did do the best there leather .
The last question is why does the furniture have to be so expensive from Argentina ?
I have noticed that there items are a bout
25% cheaper than the originals, where the Chinese products are at least 50 to 60 cheaper than originals .
Good stuff in Argentina
I was in Buenos Aries two years ago, and visited several Modern shops that carried reproductions. Not sure who did the manufacturing, but i was told that it was all done in Argentina, with Argentine hides.
They also stressed that these were all reproductions, not licensed originals.
I'm certainly not the expert LRF is, but i can tell you that i was impressed overall by the quality for the price. Both the workmanship, materials and comfort seemed quite good.
LRF, i'm guessing why Argentine goods are more expensive than the Chinese has several reasons.
1. China's currency is being held artificially low by their government, making for a favorable price for the importer/consumer. Argentina is currently working to get it's economic house in order after the World Bank helped them trash their economy several years back.
2. Argentine workers have more rights than in China. i.e. wages, workplace environment.
3. Trade tariffs may be different for these products depending upon the country of origin.
4. To my knowledge, Argentina does not use slave labor, as China has in the past; possibly still doing so.
5. Economies of scale in both manufacturing and shipping.
Essentially, i think we pay more for fair play...a good investment, to me.
crankyd
Thanks I think that is a really good answer.
The stuff i saw from Argentina was first class and i was really surprised how well it was made,
the stuff i bought from China was class D but by the time our staff carpenters finished with it it was great. ( not every one has those guys hanging around)
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