This morning, independent Australian-owned, New York-based label Sködia accused Topshop of stealing their design. This isn’t the first time a small-scale operation, which is already contending with the saturated fashion industry, has shone a light on this sort of behaviour.
The design in question is a pink velvet slip dress. While not a revolutionary item, it does have a few distinctive qualities that are instantly recognisable, like a cowl neck and crisscross back. So, when the label posted a side-by-side image of their shape next to a very similar design by Topshop, people began to take the charge seriously.
To make matters worse, Sködia has said that Topshop even asked the line, which is stocked on Revolver and in Opening Ceremony, to collaborate. They posted on Instagram: ‘Shout out to our #1 fans @topshop for asking us to "collaborate" then completely ripping us off. This is a huge issue in the industry, and it has to stop FYI this is one of many styles.’
'Last season Topshop had emailed us asking us to potentially stock our new season.' The label told The Debrief, 'We entertained the idea and sent over our SS17 information as requested that the public had yet to see. Followed by no response by Topshop, it recently came to our attention they had put out numerous styles and exact fabrication which was more than obvious that it had been replicated. This is extremely disheartening as a smaller designer. Most people know this is something that happens in the fast fashion industry, but that does not make it ok.'
While the scale of the fashion industry’s production and distribution may be vast, the number of trends are relatively small. As fads for silhouettes, fabrics and colours are cyclical, dipping in and out of taste, and brands accidentally and consciously reference the same inspirations, accusations like Sködia’s are becoming more and more frequent. The copycat finger no longer points just at the high street copying luxury designers, but at the top and bottom end of the spectrum as well.
Topshop has told The Debrief they wish to make ‘no comment’ while they investigate the issue.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.