Parallel Universe: Sergio Rossi & Sam Edelman

It's no secret that some brands get their inspiration from the high-end designer pieces they see on the runway.  I don't refer to these brands as "knockoffs" -- they are not trying to sell us something for nothing (e.g. an "alleged" Louis Vuitton purse that normally sells for $2,000 for $200).  I like to think of them as bringing "designer-inspired" pieces to the masses -- a way for us to live in a parallel universe and have some extra bucks left over (aka "cheap chic").


The Jeffrey Campbell shoe line is known for its towering heels that mimic the likes of Chanel, Balenciaga, Ferragamo, and Christian Louboutin.  Early last fall, I realized that Sam Edelman had a "love-love" relationship with Sergio Rossi after I bought these Sergio Rossi metallic slingback platforms from one of my favorite stores in Philadelphia:

Shortly thereafter, I discovered these by Sam Edelman for a fraction of the cost ($99):

Not an exact match, of course, but pretty darn close, AND they come in some great colors, including red and nude patent leather.  When I saw these, I thought perhaps it was coincidental -- this is a pretty simple shoe to recreate, and there are many variations out there by many different brands.  

However, just a couple of months ago I added these Sergio Rossi's to my collection:

Pretty fab, right? You can't tell by the photo, but it combines three different textures, including pony hair, which makes it a tad bit more challenging to duplicate.  Well wouldn't you know last month when I was doing some random searching on Nordstrom's site for shoes, these popped up in my search:

 

Meet the Sam Edelman "Magdalena," and it retails for $150.  Again, a fraction of the cost of the Sergio's (and clearly of a much lesser quality), but at this price, it's a winner.  

Once I came across the "Magdalena," I realized the notion of these two shoes being so similar to their designer counterparts really wasn't a "coincidence." There is no doubt that Sam Edelman has a love-love relationship with Sergio Rossi.  I'm not mad at him!  If it helps the masses rock the "designer look" for a reasonable price, and keeps the consumer from being "ripped-off" by a brand that is selling "knock-offs," that makes it all right with me!!