Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg
Just because we don't like it doesn't mean we don't understand it.
I don't think it's "wrong" nor do I think it's "right". It think it placates the perpetual narcissism of social media and piggybacking. KITH aka Ronnie Fieg is a "clothing designer" that takes existing products and changes the color, adds a few cosmetic changes, markets hype, upcharges them, and then sells it at his boutique. That's like if Walmart changed the color of the G80, limited production and called it a WALM edition. Hypothetically, except of adding the KITH logo, what if walmart made the exact same changes that Ronnie Fieg did to the G80? Would it be as highly regarded? Probably not. I actually do like the interior colors, but it's not exactly original, they are simply the same colors used on the ///M logo for decades. I could have done the same thing with a custom order (if BMW would allow). The "value" then for those who see value in the KITH name is simply in the KITH name. By definition, that is superficial. However, if Mercedes released a lightweight C63S Hamilton edition with a tuned engine, chassis, and suspension ALONG WITH some personal design and settings input from Hamilton himself then we would have something of substance instead of what is basically someone adding lipstick and a lens flare to the Mona Lisa.
I can't hide my concept for these modern "designers" who basically take someone else's hard work and changes a few colors and gets fellated on social media by all the others desperate for the same type of "fame".
|
I’m not sure if you actually ever been in a KITH Boutique or just did a refresh on the internet. KITH or Ronnie Fieg absolutely makes their own designs. As a matter of fact I would spend (I have) $140 one one of their sweatshirts over some of the crap that’s pushed in stores of other retailers simply because of the quality of materials. Show me another designer who used 500 GSM cotton for sweatshirts and 250 GSM cotton t-shirts? I’ll wait.
Additionally, what you refer to as “using someone else’s design” is called a collaboration or collab, which is exactly what the KITH Car is all about. It’s a G80 M4 with an added touch.
I’m not going to argue or challenge how you define social media (everyone has their own opinion) but the fact of the matter is, it’s here to stay and it’s the way that most companies market their products. I don’t know BMW’s end game but someone in the company felt the current market strategy was the right way forward. As enthusiasts, we have to finally come to the realization that their market doesn’t revolve around us. I’ve been hearing the same argument (what about their enthusiasts) since I joined this forum 10+ years ago. As many of you have said in this forum, “BMW is marketing to people who can’t afford this car, I’m saying BMW is marketing to people who can in a few years and for longer periods of time, than you or I may be interested in their cars. I don’t know about anyone here but I bought (leased) my first BMW at 23 and bought my second at 24 and guess what? I’ve been leasing and buying BMW’s since (now 41). Paid off my E92 M3, will be adding the G80 to the garage (E92 will be daily) and when I get back stateside will lease my wife her BMW of choice. Again because you don’t agree with their marketing doesn’t make it wrong, and doesn’t make it right as you so wisely stated above.