An Important Announcement!

Okay... I feel like I have to make another comment about this issue because there is a lot of stuff flying around teh interwebz at the moment and a lot of it isn't great.

Yes, let's talk copying (again).

Firstly, can I say that I sympathise with both sides on this one. Yeah, I've been upset about it at times and felt tempted to have a little rage (and yes, I have fallen into that temptation once or twice, not proud of that), and I've also felt really dirty after witnessing mud slinging matches, during which, inevitable, some of the mud ends up hitting me. I understand why people get upset about the issue - often it's not even about us - girls are just disappointed that a particular store they thought was really cool, has done something not cool and they feel angry about it.

So can I ask a favour? Let's just avoid the topic. Because this whole situation sucks, and every time we dredge this issue up, it's discouraging for all involved.

Now, I can't tell anyone what to say or do, and we are all free to respectfully express our opinions, but it's alarming to me that the community seems to be turning on itself over this issue. We all hate the copies, but I'm starting to see situations where sharkies are getting frustrated at other sharkies. This community is something really special and we can't let such a stupid issue create division.

So here are a couple of thought on the matter as we move forward:

Recently Tom Ford was asked about the issue (speaking about Gucci fakes) and this is what he had to say:

"We did some research - and the counterfeit customer is not our customer"

Kind of obvious, right? The girl who buys the latest Gucci clutch is not the same girl doing the rounds in Bali trying to find last season's version for $10.

There are going to be sharkies, who love wearing BM, get lots of stuff on release day, take selfies, chat in the groups, go to meet ups, photoshop my face on to works of art, and rock out like hot little bosses.... and then there are girls who really don't care about any of those things, and just want some cheap printed leggings.

And here's the thing... I'm actually really not interested in selling to those girls! They're not Black Milk customers - and I really don't have a problem with that. I'm interested in YOU girls. Your style, your support, and your attitude... that's what I find exciting. If it's all just about moving stock and turning a buck... that's just not us.

I could easily do that. I get multiple emails every day from chinese manufacturers offering to produce clothes for us at 50 cents a piece. I could do it, but where's the fun in that? We love fashion and that's why we design, make, and sell all our own stuff. We manufacture in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane and Collingwood, Melbourne. We employ over 150 people, and we LOVE fashion and running this little fashion business. If you think that's cool and want to be part of our little fashion adventure ... sweet as! 

So it's like this - haters gonna hate, copyers gonna copy, and sharkies gonna nom.

And as for me.... well, I'm going to keep making cool clothes and hope girls love wearing them as much as I love making them.

We cool?