UPDATE: This post has been updated on October 05, 2009. Scroll down to read the news.
Does this sound familiar? You see something and are really turned off by it first, but then, the more you look at it, the more it grows on you until you become obsessed with it? That happens to me quite often I must admit. In almost every case it’s a shoe which I first hate, then like and finally LOVE! The last time this happened to me was with these lace-up ankle boots by Ann Demeulemeester.
Ann Demeulemeester Lace-Up Boots
($890, SOLD OUT)
P.S.: Browns is selling the Ann Demeulemeester lace-up boots in white.
When I first saw them, I thought they were way too clunky for a woman’s feet. But I couldn’t help but be fascinated by them, so I decided to give them another chance and googled them. Sometimes, in order to be able to see a shoe’s full potential, you have to see it on a person’s feet. That was definitely the case with the Ann Demeulemeester lace-up boots. The moment I saw the models flaunting them in a mini dress, I was irrevocably in LOVE!
Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2009
I couldn’t find any celebrities rocking these beauties, but fashion editors and style bloggers like Jane of Sea of Shoes happen to love them as much as me.
Jeffrey Campbell Corset Heels
UPDATE (10/05/2009): More good news! Free People have finally restocked Jeffrey Campbell’s Ann Deumeulemeester knockoffs. Missed out on these the first time? Now is your chance to get hold of these cuties!
Sometimes I think everything Jeffrey Campbell does these days is copying other people’s work. Well, it may be unethical, but at least it allows us budget fashionistas to be fashionable without the hefty price tag. Look at these beautiful, almost identical knockoffs. Pretty amazing, huh? They sure are shamelessly expensive for knockoffs, but even priced at $198 they are about $700 les than the originals, so they can’t be TOO bad, right?
All sizes are still available, but you better be fast as these knockoffs won’t stay for too long (they’re also exclusively sold at Free People, so if they are gone there, you won’t find them anywhere else).
Jeffrey Campbell Corset Heels
($198, Free People)
Posted in: Ann Demeulemeester,Real vs. Steal,Shoes
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I ordered these from Free People because I couldn’t afford the Ann D’s, even on eBay. First, they are not by Jeffrey Campbell, at least not as indicated anywhere on the website, on the shoe box or on the shoes (they say “Free People” on the inside of the shoes). Doesn’t mean JC didn’t make them for Free People, but no claim to them as such. Also, they run very large. Sadly, I bought the smallest size they come in, a size 6, and they were a full size (perhaps even size and a half) too big for my foot, like over an inch of shoe past my toes! So, to be safe, anyone ordering them might want to order their size and then one size down; better to have to pay to return a pair than miss out. Loved how they looked on my feet regardless, and seemed comfy, so good luck to others!
Do these shoes really fit that big? I heard they fit true to size from another person but I don’t know…I’m trying to decided how they fit before I purchase them.
Do these Ann D’s run large??? I am a 37.5 or 7.5 should I consider getting a 37???
Thanks, I would hate to receive them and they do not fit!! Too $$$$!
Thanks,
L
Hi Linda, why don’t you order both sizes, take the one which fits better and then returning the other pair? I know $400/order are a lot, but as long as you get $200 back, this should be fine, right?
Wish you luck!
Irina from InTheirCloset
You are confused. Jeffrey Campbell came out with a more convincing pair ( nearly identical )that were being sold exclusively in a select boutique or store. I cant remember the name of it but anyone can google it. Free People also came out with a pair that are not as close to the Ann D’s but at that price who can complain? The ones sold by Free People are NOT by JC. I heard that ones by JC are currently sold out and not available online but that this store that carries them exclusively will feature them again but in a different color (not black) in the fall.
MK
Hi MK,
I am certainly NOT confused. The Free People ones ARE by Jeffrey Campbell, I know that for sure. First they were listed under the Jeffrey Campbell category on the FP website (though they don’t mention the brand on the product page). There seems no brand pages on the new Free People website, so I can’t show you to prove it now, but it’s true.
They certainly looked a lot like the Jeffrey Campbell pair for LF Stores, though those were in leather and with a taller shaft. However, I did order the ones from Free People, and though they may show up under the JC category on the website (they didn’t at first when I ordered them), the shoes say “Free People” on the insole, and do not come in a JC marked box. So, maybe JC made them for Free People but isn’t stating as such and changed these FP shoes a bit so that it wouldn’t conflict with the exclusives they did for LF Stores.
i’m going to go with the camp that says these are jeffrey campbells…not specified by free people as such, but free people and urban outfitters are known to place their name on a number of products that are not necessarily their own. i’m assuming they buy some sort of rights? anyway, love these and just placed an order for a pair! i sized down, hope they fit!
OK, got the Ann D’s in my exact size and they are amazing. A huge splurge but they are truly a work of fashion ART. Get your exact size if you can still score ‘em!
Hey Linda, care to share where you got your Ann D’s? I have been trying to scout it everywhere but in vain.
I’m sorry but I don’t think there’s a grey line here about ethics. Even though fashion designers are all influenced by each other and there are always similarities, the absolute, blatant, copy down to the detail that Jeffrey Campbell is selling IS unethical.
I am not hating on anyone who buys their stuff, but it sholud be fair to state one’s opinion, right? We are not just buying boot/shoes here, we are buying a style. Campbell steals his styles from others in a way that is so “in your face” that it makes me sad.
I know the arguement about women without big bucks should be able to be fashionable too. And we absolutely can do that without HAVING to have any particular boot. I can’t afford to pay more than $200 for a pair of boots, but it ‘s not worth it to me to buy something that is stolen.
ZJL, I think you commented in the wrong place. If you want to have a discussion on ethics, have it somewhere else where the people will care a lot more to talk on that. Otherwise, there is a slim chance everyone here is going to come back to hear your ethics speech.
I just discovered your website and I love it.
Just wanted to say that those aren’t JC’s. JC did come out with one but that was a collaboration only with LF stores. I’m pretty sure these are made by Free People.
It’s pretty late but I’m dying to get my hands on a pair of Ann D. inspired lace-up boots. JC’s are sold out and the Free People ones are sold out in black
Hi
When a specific designer makes a shoe for a specialty store, or brand, they do not put their own label AND the label of the store that is distributing them. That would take the focus off the establishment that is selling them. Therefore, they ARE JC’s but the label is removed and stated as Free People’s. because in a sense, they are FPs property to distribute. Dolce Vita does the exact same thing with Steve Madden. Raises profits for FP. JC gains more exposure by doing this for FP.