OK guys, brace yourselves because this table is about to quake. Stealing designs is very common within the fashion world. Most times we sugar coat it and call it “taking inspiration from” but the truth is not everyone is a skilled thief.
A while back Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele was slammed for putting clothes on the runway that the audience who are fashionistas could easily spot and tell they were signature of Dapper Dan. Speaking of Dapper Dan who was recently at GTBank Fashion Week, he was mainly known for creating comfortable and ample clothes from rolls of Louis Vuitton, Fendi or Gucci branded fabrics. Dapper Dan himself was taken to court by brands for plagrism. Gucci later claimed that the pieces that looked like Dapper Dan Knock-Offs were indeed created as a tribute to the man who introduced High Fashion to Hip Hop and with hopes of working with Dapper Dan. So let’s say Gucci attempt was like a serenade outside Dapper Dan’s window not a breaking an entry. Currently, Dapper Dan has himself a collaboration with the luxury brand, Gucci.
I have sat at fashion shows and seen Nigerian designers lift off ideas from westerner brands just as smoothly as Nollywood steals movie adaptations from Hollywood. I’ve seen a Nigerian designer showcase ideas similar to Delpozo and another showcase ideas similar to Ralph and Russo. Even recently at GTBank Fashion Week, I cringed at Sukeina’s collection because some of the pieces on the runway looked so much like Delpozo. I was able to ignore it because to be fair one could justify that he made the ideas his own by switching things up a little.
However Creative Director of Rekana & Co, Sharon Ojo, was not having it as she bashed fashion influencer and so called creative director, Evanny Patrick for stealing her look. Ojo took to instagram to share images of how Patrick stole her looks with enough evidence and a statement informing us that Patrick has blocked her and her brand on instagram while refraining from owning up to her theft.
Honestly, we have to learn to admit when we are wrong. At least blame it on your stylist or simply take down the photos in respect of the designer. I know that Nigeria is a terrible country for court cases but we should please learn to behave ourselves and not take advantage of our crappy justice system because truly and honestly no one knows tomorrow.
With all these said, I urge my fellow Nigerians to endeavour to allow creative input from your tailor or stylist or favourite brands when you’re lifting off someone’s idea because this act is too common and it’s distasteful. Fashion designers who use print of foreign designers should kindly stop because you’re never going to break into international market with such thievery, thank you!
