(From Top: Martin Margiela M Tee (Fall 08), Diesel Black Gold Tybult Tee, KON Lines Tee)

It is common knowledge that the ever-elusive Maison Margiela is a visionary and a trend-setter whose pieces, genius as they are, mostly befuddle casual observers. And unlike the works of other high-profile designers, Maison Margiela’s works rarely trickle down to the mainstream high-street stores. 

I was surfing around just the other day when I came across two pieces by Diesel Black Gold and KON; and immediately, they struck me as familiar – I know I have seen them somewhere before. After 3 seconds, it hit me that they look like the M Tee Maison Margiela released in the Fall of 2008. 

Look at them – The Diesel piece has an uncanny resemblance but looking way inferior with its printed-paint tape design and the KON piece looking sleeker than the Diesel tee with red thrown in for good measure and contrast. 

I don’t stand for the blatant rip-off that high street stores often are guilty of but I also understand the difference of cost between the original source and the diluted, watered-down version. It’s a personal choice of mine but I always go to the source because the quality, the workmanship and the crux of the idea resonates strongest from the source.

That said, I do applaud KON for taking an idea and putting their own spin on it – red contrast, similar sheen and more tape. In this case, you can actually have your cake and eat it too – have a thought-provoking design at a wallet-friendly price. So if you want a Margiela influenced piece, skin the cheap looking Diesel and go straight for the KON one (it’s cheaper too!)

You can find the Diesel Black Gold Tee for US$65 US$26 at SSense and the KON Line Tee for US$24 at Urban Oufitters.