"Borelli" Shoes?

Spencer Young · Apr 6, 2007

My coworker accidentally left his dress shoes at home when we were travelling to the client site. He ran to a shoe store and bought a pair of... "Borelli" loafers. He was excited that he found a throwaway pair for $20. I was amused that an ultra-low-end shoe would (approximately) take the name of a brand on the opposite end of the market.

For your consideration and disgust I present to you all:

http://www.rackroomshoes.com/categor...&brand=Borelli

darkoak · Apr 6, 2007

The "high end" ones have two 'r's - Borrelli.

GQgeek · Apr 6, 2007

Originally Posted by darkoak

The "high end" ones have two 'r's - Borrelli.

Ya but it's the same thing microsoft fights all the time with microsoft vs. mikrosoft, etc. If the low-end borelli were to ever become widespread, it would cheapen the brand imo. I know I don't want people with $40 shoes walking around claiming to own borrelli products.

lee_44106 · Apr 6, 2007

Originally Posted by GQgeek

Ya but it's the same thing microsoft fights all the time with microsoft vs. mikrosoft, etc. If the low-end borelli were to ever become widespread, it would cheapen the brand imo. I know I don't want people with $40 shoes walking around claiming to own borrelli products.

Why? Is it because, in that case, one would not be able to feel a sense of superiority knowing that some bum is wearing a knockoff?

Spencer Young · Apr 6, 2007

Originally Posted by lee_44106

Why? Is it because, in that case, one would not be able to feel a sense of superiority knowing that some bum is wearing a knockoff?

Does it qualify as a knockoff? I'm interested in everyone's opinion on this matter. Let's say there are two scenarios:

1. Borrelli sells shoes and other items based on the founder's last name. Some marketers know of the brand and give their shoes a similar name.
2. Borrelli sells shoes and other items based on the founder's last name. Some marketers have never heard of Borrelli and decide that "Borelli" sounds like a good Italian name for their shoes.

Is your opinion different in the two scenarios?

well-kept · Apr 6, 2007

"Not Your Father's Oldsmobille."

GQgeek · Apr 6, 2007

Originally Posted by Spencer Young

Does it qualify as a knockoff? I'm interested in everyone's opinion on this matter. Let's say there are two scenarios:

1. Borrelli sells shoes and other items based on the founder's last name. Some marketers know of the brand and give their shoes a similar name.
2. Borrelli sells shoes and other items based on the founder's last name. Some marketers have never heard of Borrelli and decide that "Borelli" sounds like a good Italian name for their shoes.

Is your opinion different in the two scenarios?

If you're doing branding for a company, isn't it standard protocol to do some research before you go with a name? If you search for borelli on google, you get sf links, a best of ny guide, etc. 1 minute of reading would have made them aware of the borrelli that we know.

Style_Deficit · Apr 6, 2007

Germany's largest high-street shoe retailer is called Deichmann.

Their "premium" brand is - IMO blatantly misleadingly - called "Borelli".

Some examples can be seen on this page: http://shop.deichmann.com/is-bin/INT...kAAADjl_cquIbd

Granted, they're Goodyear welted and certainly "somewhat" better quality than the usual crap this chain sells. They even come with a black cloth bag with "Borelli" printed on it. How's that for pretentious?

They retail for approx. 40-50 â‚¬ (what's that in USD? maybe $40?).

johnnyblazini · Apr 6, 2007

Its not impossible that its a coincidence.

Faded501s · Apr 6, 2007

I hate all the confusion caused by marketing. Some stuff you can call misleading and some stuff is just outright lies. The whole "Borelli" vs "Borrelli" is pretty blatant IMHO. I think I see this more in fashion than anywhere else.

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"Borelli" Shoes?

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