Forever 21...It's a Steal!

Forever 21, the new Joyce Leslie, is facing a million and one lawsuits from fashion houses alleging that the young women’s store chain has been pirating designs. Even though Forever 21 doesn’t have any famous designers or ad budget, nor a single public relations flack. Yet its revenue topped $1 billion in 2006, catapulting Forever 21 into the ranks of the top 500 privately held companies in the United States. L: DVF dress R: Forever21’s copy Stealstyle
The chain has faced dozens of lawsuits in the past two years from labels like Diane von Furstenberg, Ana Sui, and Gwen Stefani. At the center of the storm are Do Won “Don” Chang and his wife, Jin Sook, the ferociously private, deeply Christian couple who founded the store 24 years ago. “In L.A.’s Korean community they’re a constant topic of gossip and speculation. Everyone has a story about being screwed by them,” says a local fashion player. “But you have to admire their success. People join their church just to get close to them,” he adds… (L) Forever 21 copies a Marc Jacobs handbag (R)
Compared to their attention-addicted fashion-world colleagues, the Changs are careful to maintain a low profile. There is exactly one photograph of them available online. Last year, after consenting to an in-person interview with the New York Times, they unexpectedly sent a proxy instead. (The surprised reporter described the substitute interviewee as having “a born-again zeal.”) Still, despite their best efforts, the intensely private pair has become a hotly discussed topic in L.A.’s close-knit apparel industry. Source(L) Forever 21 copies a Kate Moss Top Shop creation (R)

You know, I always wondered how the hell they could afford to not charge more than 19.50 for anything in the store…ANYTHING. Now I know…they’re thieves. I guess I should go and try to buy up as much ish as I can before they shut 'em down. Ah hell, who am I kidding? I can’t fit none of that crap any damn way.