The Wolff v Mr. Lipshitz
Stolen v Original
A couple of days ago I wrote a post about Guy Wolff’s beautiful, hand-crafted planters. So I almost coughed up my croissant when I came across this Ralph Lauren ad in Architectural Digest. What gives here?
The entire line is a rip-off! The similarity of Lauren’s pots to Wolff’s is shameful. The shapes, the glazes are all the same. The little “RL” is different. But if I were Mr. Wolff I’d be in a bad mood. I feel sorry for anyone who pays $75 for an imitation Guy Wolff planter when they could have the real thing for less than half the price.
I know Ralph Lauren is the Martha Stewart of Home Design, meaning that he’s great at repackaging old ideas. But this is really over the top. How difficult would it have been to think of something a little bit different? Or am I completely wrong here and Guy is the sub-contractor for Ralph? BTW, Mr. Lauren used to be Mr. Lipshitz (someone thought you might not know that, but I know you do!).
What’s your take on this?
One Response to “The Wolff v Mr. Lipshitz”
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Thanks for the support Jennifer . My son Ben sent me the address for this conversation .
Over the years I have trained a great batch of potters; some here in the USA and some in Honduras and Portugal .My son Ben being my greatest joy. (I think they have all taught me just as much as I have them ) . The pot in the picture looks like one made by a friend in Wisconsin: weather his or a group He has trained I don’t know. The greatest compliment I can get is that my estetic has made an impact on the craft I love..
The pots that come off of my own wheel are the ones I have real connection with .If you look at my website ( guywolff.com ) you will see a section on my teaching potters and the history of the different stamps and provenance to the pots I have designed or taught potters to make or made myself. The section might be called Guy Wolff Guilds .
At any rate thanks for the kind words
and I would be proud to have Mr Lauren come get pots from me any day ! Yours Guy Wolff