What is ethical shopping? Would you buy from a company that steal from small artist?
By Yvette E
Can ethical shopping exist? There is a fine line between inspired and stolen in the fashion industry. All too often we see the lines blur especially when the larger companies steal from the little guys.
Take Topshop which allegedly bought Japanese designer clothes to take apart and resale at stores earning them the nickname “chop top”.
Or when Zara allegedly sat front row at designer shows and take pictures to submit their manufacturer so they appear in their store (altered enough not to be sued) in as soon as 3 days!
Fast fashion has not only become wasteful but now it is also unethical.
I saw a co-worker wearing a sweater so similar to Marni’s current collection I assumed she purchased from Bergdorf. When I asked her where she got it; she replied H&M on sale.
We seem okay with this “Robin Hood” behavior. We accept stealing designs from the rich and selling them to the poor. Recently, however, smaller, under the radar brands experience IP theft as well; affecting their bottom line.
Dolls Kill infamous behavior of going to tradeshows to steal designs from ethnic designers is well documented.
Dirty Celebrity, a company owed by Jamaican twins, experienced multiple designs stolen by Dolls Kill including the cardigan in center.
However, when an ethnic company complains; Dolls Kill’s customers harass them into silence or it goes ignored.
This happened before since current high fashion brands inspiration still comes from the hip hop scene.
Morally, Its no longer just about saving the environment but also supporting small business that can’t afford to have anything stolen.
We need to shop better.
Happy monday,
TFG