Christian Siriano needs to get a new job.

We love designers that can take inspiration from the runways and translate it for the consumers at boutiques who are looking for great style without spending thousands.  This is why we love designers like Amanda Uprichard who can make ruffles for girls who don't need the drama of a Lanvin piece and Dolce Vita who makes prints we can mix and match a little more subtly than Balenciaga or Proenza.  Yet when its that time to make a splurge purchase, we all want something original, unique and special-items we won't find everywhere else.  So why does Christian Siriano knock off his fellow designers and charge Saks prices?  Would you buy his pieces that cost $$$ when its already been done? See for yourself:

Christian Siriano Fall 2011 mimics Olivier Theyskens last collection at Nina Ricci Fall '09

Christian Siriano (Left) frumpy knock off Lanvin's classic little black dress (Right)

This seems a little TOO inspired from Armani's Couture collection below

The shape from the dress at left and fabric from the right? Add some sleeves and Siriano's dress copy cat is apparent.

Unfortunately this trend continues with references to several other major designers, from Burberry to McQueen to Jil Sander.  While trends are integral to fashion, Siriano seems to have gotten so caught up in what is fashionable that there is barely an ounce of creativity. The obvious pursuit of creating a "collection" that can compete with Parisian fashion houses has been his greatest failure-- this appears to be the work of a fashion student, not a fashion innovator.