A little Googling finds the founders - Jason Sun [1] and Ben Yi [2] - both worked at KILLSPENCER [3] before starting Vinted Goods [4]. While it's true that both sites have a top nav, I couldn't find any pics of someone operating a sewing machine on either site. Either way, the products seem similar, but what would you expect from a mentor/protege relationship?
Edit: The owner of KILLSPENCER, Spencer Nikosey [5] has a few interesting interview nuggets [6][7]:
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I'm most proud of the upcoming products and relationships I've built with the members of our SPECIAL PROJECTS INNOVATION TEAM. (This is the team Jason and Ben were on.)
WHO DO YOU BOUNCE IDEAS OFF AND/OR GET INSPIRED BY?
I have a small group of mentors. These people are amazing at what they do. I give them products and they use them, and give me feedback on how to improve the designs, construction, etc. I'm so lucky to have such amazing people interested in supporting the vision.
TAKE US BRIEFLY THROUGH YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND. WHERE HAVE YOU WORKED BEFORE LAUNCHING YOUR OWN COMPANY?
I launched my business straight out of school. While in school, I had the opportunity to intern for some great people. Scott Robertson (Design Studio Press) is where I got my first work experience. I spent so much time observing and picking his mind on the business of design and watched him build his business from the start.
"Either way, the products seem similar, but what would you expect from a mentor/protege relationship?"
Seem similar in the sense that they are both selling bags? Looking at the products they both look to have completely different designs and styles, I don't see how they seem similar.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who found it strange that the founders at Vinted Goods seem to leave their name off of everything. Whether or not it is fair, it makes me think that there is more to the story--particularly when their mentor shares so much about himself and his brand on his website.
Sure the complaint won't stand, but they do have a similar general look, they could have avoided it completely by just going for a different style. Should be common sense if you are leaving one company to start another.
[1] http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jason-sun/20/84a/124
[2] http://www.linkedin.com/pub/benjamin-yi/16/662/662
[3] http://killspencer.com/
[4] http://vintedgoods.com/
Edit: The owner of KILLSPENCER, Spencer Nikosey [5] has a few interesting interview nuggets [6][7]:
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? I'm most proud of the upcoming products and relationships I've built with the members of our SPECIAL PROJECTS INNOVATION TEAM. (This is the team Jason and Ben were on.)
WHO DO YOU BOUNCE IDEAS OFF AND/OR GET INSPIRED BY? I have a small group of mentors. These people are amazing at what they do. I give them products and they use them, and give me feedback on how to improve the designs, construction, etc. I'm so lucky to have such amazing people interested in supporting the vision.
TAKE US BRIEFLY THROUGH YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND. WHERE HAVE YOU WORKED BEFORE LAUNCHING YOUR OWN COMPANY? I launched my business straight out of school. While in school, I had the opportunity to intern for some great people. Scott Robertson (Design Studio Press) is where I got my first work experience. I spent so much time observing and picking his mind on the business of design and watched him build his business from the start.
[5] http://www.linkedin.com/pub/spencer-nikosey/12/5a6/866
[6] http://swipelife.com/2009/04/15/the-newcomer-an-intervew-wit...
[7] http://www.carryology.com/2012/04/12/interviews-spencer-niko...
Edit 2: Google Cache of the Kickstarter campaign page: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:jQYA_YU...