“Revealing: True or Faux” Premiering Wednesday April 16th
Features Expert Commentary from Narciso Rodriguez, Kelly Cutrone, Simon Doonan and More
New York, NY – March 18, 2014 – SundanceTV examines the world of sartorial knock offs in its fourth all new special hosted by ELLE Creative Director Joe Zee, “Revealing: True or Faux,” airing Wednesday, April 16th at 9 pm ET/PT. Through a compelling social experiment and in-depth interviews with industry insiders, Zee reveals the truth behind New York’s thriving fashion black market.
In today’s fashion landscape, the power of the brand cannot be underestimated. Designers’ names lend legitimacy to coveted items of all kinds–but copycat culture is alive and well in New York City. In this special, ELLE Creative Director Joe Zee explores the rampant theft of ideas in fashion, from counterfeit luxury handbags to chain clothing stores knocking off runway looks. Has the size and speed of the fashion industry made everyone a thief? Or is fashion an art form to be inspired by other influences and sources? With help from experts like Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez, and Simon Doonan, Zee examines whether today’s top designers can still create totally original looks and whether the industry needs better protection from copycats.
In “Revealing: True or Faux,” Joe Zee heads straight to the source of the fashion rip-off movement by meeting with vendors and buyers of fake bags, start up designers and lawyers representing established labels. He poses the question of whether affordable fake designer items in fact make high fashion more accessible to the public. Should imitation be seen as flattery or plagiarism? Zee examines the line between inspiration and forgery by taking a look back at iconic instances of mimicry in the history of fashion. Zee also reprises his trademark social experiments by setting up a stall selling counterfeit designer handbags; however, he throws in a few genuine designer bags as well. Will hardcore fashionistas be able to tell the difference?
Throughout his investigations into fashion phonies, Zee speaks to fashion experts such as: fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez; Creative Ambassador-at-Large Simon Doonan; fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier; fashion designer Zac Posen; Calvin Klein Collection Women’s Creative Director Francisco Costa; fashion designer Carolina Herrera; CEO, People’s Revolution Kelly Cutrone; journalist and Bargain Fever author Mark Ellwood; Fashion Law Institute Founder and President Susan Scafidi; The Fashion Law founder and editor Julie Zerbo; and fashion historian Valerie Steele.
As the creative director for ELLE magazine since 2007, Zee has helped to further elevate the publication into the successful fashion magazine that is today. He began his career at Allure Magazine and from there became the fashion director at W Magazine, then contributing editor for Details and Vanity Fair. He has also been creative eye behind advertising campaigns for brands including DKNY, Perry Ellis, Kenneth Cole, Sean John, Banana Republic, H&M, Estee Lauder, M.A.C. Cosmetics, Chanel, Coty and others.
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About SundanceTV
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Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AMCX) owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global, an international programming business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a full-service network programming origination and distribution company.
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