Last time Sami Miro collaborated with Forever 21 it was such hot property it sold out in mere hours. This time around, Miro and the American retailer have learnt their lesson and are have found a way to prevent it running out (quite) as fast.
Back in January the San Franciscan native who runs her own vintage repurposing label approached her collaboration with Forever 21 as more of an edit than a collection. She went about sourcing one-off items like Motley Crue tees, bootleg-Chanel scarves and aged Levi’s. While it was refreshing to find a high street collaboration was actually truly limited edition, it backfired on the brand in a big way as it sold out long before the hype died down.
For Miro and Forever 21, this new collection isn’t just a take two, but a chance to deliver on its aesthetic promise. Now limited to just five items, priced at £29-£35, they have gone down a vintage-inspired route rather than sourcing one-offs. The result is a cohesive collection that looks like it could have been worn by Xtina back in the day. The pieces are hooked on a black and red colour scheme, barbed wire print and rhinestone embellishment. It goes out to all the kids that still dance to Dirrty and TLC on the weekends.
‘Forever21 and I collaborated about eight months ago and it sold out within hours so we knew we had something here and another collection was due. This time we wanted to focus on a collection that was more readily available (i.e. not one of one vintage) so we came up with an edgy yet cute design and overall vibe of accessible pieces for the every day wardrobe.' Sami told The Debrief, 'The barbed wire theme is obviously vintage inspired from the '90s - I'm pretty sure Pam Anderson - made it famous and I have several vintage shirts with barbed wire on theme so I thought it was the perfect incorporation to the collection to meet in the middle of edges and cute.’
If logic pervaded, stylists Sami would be a household name by now. She’s dated a hunky actor (Zac Efron), dressed celebrities (Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Bella Hadid, Sofia Richie, Kaia Gerber and the list goes on) and she’s already had one sold out fashion collection under her belt. However, somehow, Sami has kept her distance from the spotlight, instead lending her vintage-enthused aesthetic to the limelight-hoggers.
Since the collection launched, a wildfire of speculation about its inspiration has spread through Instagram. UK-based creative Betsy Johnson who runs the independent fashion label Freckled Ace has hit out at Miro and the Forever21 team, accusing them of copying her designs.
She took to social media to say: 'betsyjohnson_SO: I contacted Sami Miro in June to gift her some pieces from @freckledace, she accepted. I was very excited to see her in the collection. However @samimiro new collection with @forever21 is at the very least very similar. After calling for a boycott of the collaboration and contacting Sami and forever 21 I have been ignored, blocked and critics comments have been removed. I'm calling for a boycott. @freckledace is founded on ethical production and female empowerment to them be assimilated in a fast fashion context by someone I looked up to and sent me clothing to is disappointing, to say the least. comment, tweet, tag, post, whatever.'
Liked this? You might also be interested in:
Follow Lucy on Instagram @lucyalicemorris
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.