VintageGent’s Menswear Daily

Kiss My…Face?

Popular Fleece brand, The North Face, has recently been lampooned by the small,  upstart The South Butt. The South Butt busts its muse’s intentions of seeing its products warming Alpine climbers, and exposes the true demographic. Product descriptions, rather than outlandish designs, support the parody:

Because you deserve to look good at the coffee shop – a sign of serious commitment to relaxation. Embroidered logo on front and back. Available in mens and ladies 

If you are heading for yoga or the neighborhood bunko game the classic South Butt T-Shirt could be your best wardrobe choice.

Our South Butt Mall Series Jacket – nothing better for quick runs to the mall or market, and of course what could be more appropriate for that occasional visit to your econ lecture.

Now, The North Face is suing The South Butt, alleging “product dilution.” While parodies are a protected area of free speech, profiting on it may be another matter. Up until the media attention, The South Butt, started by Jimmy Winkelmann to help offset college bills, was a tiny operation. Sales were relegated to a local pharmacy and Winkelmann’s website.  With the media attention to something that could have easily petered out as the 19 year old Winkelmann lost interest or graduated, sales have jumped and now the clever lad has enough money to put himself through college.

While at VintageGent.com, blatant ripoff of designer dudes-a.k.a fakes-are appropriately dissuaded, Winkelmann did not set out to confuse the public, nor believes any of his merchandise will be mistaken for its inspiration.  Even if the suit holds and The North Face wins, it is sure to create dialogue on the big guy picking on the little guy as well as lend a more scrupulous eye to the motto “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”