Timberland rips off Adbusters!
So I was doing some research on brands that make organic or sustainable product and found quite a similarity between the Adbusters Unswoosher boot and the new “Ripper” boot from Timberland. Both boots are more “eco” friendly than most boots on the marketplace but the big difference is that the Adbuster boot is made from 100% hemp and 100% recycled tires. Plus, Adbusters is a non-profit magazine hell bent on tearing apart the sick part of our consumer culture. From what I can see Timberland is just another company trying to jump on the “organic” trend. Also, the Timberland boot is only 30% recycled materials…not very much…and can we really trust what they say anyway. They are essentially a public company responsible to their shareholders.
Now I actually own a pair of the Unswoosher boots so I am a little upset that Timberland would steal the essential components of design for their boot from me and all the other people that support a look that suggests an anti-capitalist leaning..ha..just kidding…the look should have nothing to do with the politics but wtf? Timberland..go steal from someone else!
Steven Saldebus is a clothing designer/entrepreneur currently exploring the use of recycled and sustainable materials for use in fashion.
This blog about trying to live a smarter, more progressive life while absorbed in consumer culture.
Enjoy
March 6th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
What’s even crazier are the other ethical records of these companies. Timberland has battled a notoriously bad human rights record, whereas the whole ideology behind the Blackspot was a “sweat-free” sneaker… The look maybe shouldn’t be political, but it sure seems like it is. I guess you raise the questions… does it say “I’m smarter and I care” - or just “I look like I might be smarter and I want you to think I care” Crazy, I had no idea that Timberland was doing this!
March 6th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Hey Steve, I totally agree with what you are saying about Timberland ripping off their style and trying to hop on the band wagon.
One pro and one con.
Con: Because of this idea they “stole/borrowed,” and the fact that they are a large clothing company that is publicy listed you can bet your ass that they are going to make a killing off of these as they push it in their marketing without giving any mention to the true Unswoosher boot therefore in turn really hurting a truly ‘good-natured’ domestic business in our community. So I say? Fuck corporate, its the ‘age of indepence’ with technology being so cheap the broke artist has a chance to get some real recognition.
unfortunately there is a pro though….
Because of Timberland hopping on this train it gives this “organic burst” through the media worldwide starting a revolution in next-gen organic clothing. Thousands of businesses follow suit. Unswoosher loathes in their own self-worth. No proclamation for the unknown little Domestic entity that was.
I love fashion… gives me the chills
March 6th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Yes, The other great thing about the internet is that we can expose the “posers” in blogs like these..now, if we can figure out a way to put up digital graffiti on Timberland’s site that would be some retribution!
Thanks Mac!
March 11th, 2008 at 6:46 am
My name is Alex, I am a designer at Timberland and I read blogs like this specifically because I (and many of my coworkers) really care about these issues. I didn’t design the Rippler boot. But a co-worker / friend did. And I can say that there was no intention to visually steal the look of the “Unswoosher” I don’t think any of us were even aware of it until after the fact. The point was to create a minimalist boot with classic styling. That leaves you with a pretty small palette of parts, and essentially all boots start to look similar when you are embellishing them so minimally.
What I can say about Timberland’s commitment to the environment (and human rights) is that it is REAL. It has been a substantial commitment for many years and they have very humbly made a lot of progress. Only recently are they talking about the environment openly. And that is to raise the level of dialogue more than to make money from it. I’m really proud to work for a company like this and it totally bums me out to read people slamming it without all the facts.
(by the way the facts are here, please read them!: http://www.timberland.com/corp/index.jsp?page=csroverview)
I meet with material suppliers and factories regularly in my job. At every single interaction we are challenging them to be greener, more efficient and better at what they do. We reward like minded companies with our business. Like minded employees are rewarded with incentives to be greener. Timberland has solar and wind powered distribution centers. Those took a LOT of vision to build in a shareholder owned company. It’s hard doing the right thing in corporate America, but sometimes it takes a big company to challenge an industry. The “Unswoosher” boot is an awesome shot across the bow. But Timberland’s initiatives at a large scale have the potential to change the entire business. I am happy to be a part of it.
Alex
March 11th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Alex,
Thanks for your comments. Adbusters is a non-profit organization that makes a boot of hemp and recycled tires. Timberland is a global multi-national corporation with over 53 factories around the world spewing out toxins every day. Adbusters is a cultural magazine that has the ability to change the world. Timberland is a for profit boot company that FOLLOWS consumer trends. As an employee you should remember that and realize that profit is the bottom line. Adbusters can influence people and change the way they think. Timberland will change nothing unless people demand it.
You commented that “It has been a substantial commitment for many years” and then said “Only recently are they talking about the environment openly.” Which one is it?
It is nice to see that Timberland is taking advantage of the trendy “green” movement to clean up their business and I applaud you for pushing them to keep up the effort.
Keep up the good work!
August 30th, 2008 at 1:00 am
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