Imitation: Flattery or Felony?

Over the past few weeks I have been hearing a lot of complaining and defending regarding Trinidad designers and Carnival Monday Wear. Pinterest and Facebook seem to be the hotspots for inspiration and style boards.

Christian Boucaud stated: "Part of the reason the Trinidad and Tobago fashion industry is stagnant is because we glorify imitators. Whether or not your technique is different it is identical to another designer's design *spare me the bs*!!! #stopmakingexcuses #workhard#doyourresearch #beoriginal"

I saw Rawle Permanand comment this morning: "All this talk that's going on fb bout designers copying designs from websites for Monday wear etc....all I kno... my wirebras/tiaras are 1000% uniquely designed and customized...though my shapes maybe common my pieces are different.. I'm not one for the fancy style bras..i keep my shapes simple and i believe your gemwork and detailing should b the design...yes, as designers we do research online for inspiration etc, but it is vital that you come up with ur own concept... u wont find it anywhere unless I repeat it #duntalk #dropsmic #exitstageleft"

How do you the public and the consumer feel about the imitating? Do you expect original designs when you go to get something specially made by a self-proclaimed designer? Do you mind if a design is reproduced from another brand? Do you feel you should pay less for unoriginal designs? I had someone comment to me that it is not different from taking a Victoria's Secret catalogue to a seamstress and having them duplicate it.

Do you think that the designers that are copying the designs should be confronted by the original creator?
What about copyrights? I saw a very similar design made by someone else, which resembled a piece of work that I did. Now, I had no copyright on my work and admit I did feel a bit violated to see someone else's name on what I took time to develop, but what rights did I have?

I'm not really on anyone's side. Fashion is a business and despite blatantly copying, some of these fashion providers are filling the need for a demand. However, I do feel that they should take some responsibility for their work, and say that the look is inspired by, or patterned after Agent Provocateur, VS, etc. It is wrong to call it your design, but I think it is ok to create it for a client. I believe it is important for the client to be made aware that what they are getting is a replica. It's a touchy topic. I remember last year when Tribe's Butterflies looked all too similar to Shutterstock images. The public didn't seem to mind... or did they? The band still sold out.

I ponder on what Ms. Boucaud says in the above quote. Are we stagnant because of all the "glorifying or imitators"? Can we make an impact on the international fashion scene with recreations of other people's work? She may be on to something.

Christian Boucaud Designs 2010 I always associate this belt technique with her.

Rhion Romany 2013 Similar Belt. I swear, before I saw him walk with his model, I thought this was a CBD piece!

On the left I'm not sure of the designer, but On the right is ELA Designs

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