It is also important to note that many of these counterfeit duplicate copy are made in sweatshop labor. There is no way a corporation can still make money if they charge less for a wedding dress that cost hundred of dollars on fabrics, and man hour to construct the wedding unless they are using sweatshop labor.

It is similar to writing and essay for class and someone plagerize your work by just changing the way you phrase your sentences.

But I agree that $2k for a knockoff seems steep, no matter who’s making it. When I went dress-shopping with my friend L (my first stint as a bridesmaid!), the most gorgeous gown we saw was “only” $1500, and was a brand-name original that could be purchased at a reputable salon. There are so many gorgeous original options in the $2k price range, if you’re planning on spending that much money why bother buying a fake?

As to the knockoff aspect of the question, I wouldn’t be able to do it simply because I’d know the entire time that I’m wearing the equivalent of a fake LV bag bought out the back of some shady warehouse. I know it’s not quite the same thing, and no one else would know (probably), but that’s just how I’d feel wearing a knockoff.

I like the idea of taking a cool photo or sketch (or even a designer pattern from Vogue Patterns) and getting it done by a seamstress. I suspect in many cases it would be waaaaay cheaper than buying a knockoff, and cooler, because it’s one of a kind. I could care less about whether it’s counterfeit or sampling or beat-boxing or whatever. Information wants to be free! However, you may be interested in some experiments the pattern company Burda is doing with “open source” sewing: http://burdastyle.com.

But imagine me making my own version of Star Wars I: I write my own dialog rather than transcribing, I make the costumes, and my neighbor shoots it with her handycam. Then does George Lucas get a cut?

I would never ever pay $6K for a dress, designer or otherwise, one-time-wear or everyday. The very thought of it boggles my mind. But if I found something I loved and paid a seamstress a much reduced rate to come up with something similar, I’d feel like a bargain shopper. And who am I hurting? Does Romona Keveza struggle to put food on her dinner table for the little Kevezas if I knock off her design? No. It isn’t theft when someone else is constructing, coming up with a pattern, fitting, altering, and doing the craftsmanship.

*2¢*

Anyway, I’d definitely buy a *decently priced* and decently made knock-off. Making sure the train doesn’t separate while I hustle on my big day is imperative. Saving money was also imperative.

I know so little about this kind of thing. Maybe it would cost more to have a dress made than it would to just suck up the designer price. But as to the main question, a knockoff is a counterfeit. Probably not the best idea to start a real marriage in a fake dress.