Filling Pieces Founder Slams the New York Times for Supporting Copycats of His Brand

Filling Pieces' owner has choice words for The New York Times and copycats.

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Complex Original

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The latest trend to spread across the footwear industry, by and large, is the proliferation of brands that sell luxury-quality sneakers at a nearly affordable price. These labels have stripped down the bulkiness of 2000s design and streamlined it with Made in Portugal or Made in Italy quality, typically bringing in premium leathers and Margom soles.

One of the brands that has become known in this space is Filling Pieces, a Dutch company run by Guillaume Philibert. With Pitti Uomo — a week of men's style previews and shows in Florence, Italy — currently taking place, there are plenty of sneakers in this vein being shown right now.

The New York Times was on the scene, reporting their select choices, and decided to post a picture of upcoming offerings from Mariano Di Vaio. The problem: they look very close to models offered by Filling Pieces. Here's what Philibert had to say:


Sounds like fighting words. But more importantly, it signals that this market is starting to become saturated. Brands that have very little experience in footwear are now selling "well-made" shoes until the trend passes, which, according to some, might be soon.

In the meantime, take a look at some of the sneakers that Philibert's brand is currently making.