“The word ‘fashion’ would not exist if there were not copying.” --Victor Costa
Curator’s Notes: For their Spring 1992 Ready-To-Wear runway show, the Versace fashion house sent model Claudia Schiffer onto the catwalk in this plaid and pastel dress. Shortly after, Victor Costa’s brand reproduced a highly similar dress at a far lower, more accessible price point. Costa’s fashion studio based in Dallas, TX quickly produced his comparatively inexpensive designs-- the house could churn out nearly 500 dresses per day.
__________ Left: Claudia Schiffer in Versace 1992 Spring Ready-To-Wear collection. Right: Cocktail dress, 1993, designed by Victor Costa, synthetic taffeta, ribbon, Texas Fashion Collection, University of North Texas, Gift of Victor Costa | On view in the exhibition Fashion Nirvana: Runway to Everyday organized by the McNay Art Museum (San Antonio, TX)
Further reading:
Couture’s Copycat | Chicago Tribune (1988)
Copycat King Victor Costa Cuts the High Costa Designer Prices | People (1988)
