Thank you Susan

Can I tell you...about Susan Scafidi. She writes a blog called Counterfeit Chic that highlights the intrigues and drama surrounding the counterfeit ( a.k.a knock off ) industry. As a small designer company, being copied is not a compliment at all, despite what people may say. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It is downright nasty, disgusting and despicable! We work very long hours, months at a time and travel all over the world to create something unique and distinctive for our customers and all these companies have to do is print the page from the internet or buy the bag in a store and presto, they have a full collection. No product development time for them. Susan writes about the evils of this kind of business and brings to light certain companies who thrive on this kind of unethical practice. Thank you Susan, you're my hero. Here's her article about The Rape of Rafe.
I've forwarded her post to all my friends and contacts and they in turn have done the same. I believe that the more people are aware and that if they stop buying from these companies, maybe it will eventually convince these companies to stop copying. Okay, so maybe I'm being too idealistic but this kind of theft must be discouraged. Help me spread the word!
There's a particular website that claims they are 'inspired' by me. This is how they get around the law, it's a loophole in the legal system. It's something the CFDA is working towards changing. Coincidentally they're also inspired by a lot of other big brands. They even have the audacity to put my photo in their website and give me my own 'page'. Adding insult to injury, they have a 'blog' that writes about how they're inspired by other designers and other gossipy items that nobody cares about.
I'm writing about it because I'm hoping that by reading about it here, and I know there are a lot of you who read my blog, you can spread the word about this injustice and discourage people from supporting thieves like this.
Instead of buying a 'cheap fake', why not buy an 'affordable original'. Right? Just go to my site: www.rafe.com. We're currently on sale and our regular price merchandise won't break the bank, I promise!