We often hear “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” but outright stealing and cultural appropriation are going way too far!

BFYNE (pronounced “BE-FINE”) is a collection founded by Nigerian American designer Buki Ade. According to Fashion Week Online, Ade is accusing Brazilian designer Silvia Ulson of plagiarizing BFYNE’s Spring/Summer 2017 “Sahara” collection. The allegations arose after Ulson showcased her newest collection at Miami Swim Week.

BFYNE's media director John Adele claims “during Miami Swim-week … Silvia Ulson featured BFYNE’s SS17 'Sahara' collection during her show. It comes to us as a surprise as to how another designer is allowed to showcase replicas, and claiming it as her original work during swim week.”

Several pictures from Ulson's runway show were posted to Instagram, which raised some eyebrows due to suspicious similarities with Ade's brand.

Um pouquinho do que rolou na primeira noite de #SWM ????✨. @monicahansenbeachwear ????????@silviaulson ????????
A post shared by ʟᴏʀᴇɴᴀ ʙʀᴀɴǫᴜɪɴʜᴏ (@lorenabranquinho) on Jul 13, 2018 at 9:37am PDT

Really cool show by @silviaulson last night at opening night for Swim Week 18 @artheartsfashion great presentation in these angelic feathered head pieces mixed with white leather knee high boots and cut out swimsuits printed with tribal patterns and finished with embellishments. Ready for night 2! See you guys there!! #swimweekmiami #openingnight #miamiswimweek2018 #silviaulson #runway #fashionshow #braziliandesigner #featherheaddress #tribal #artheartsfashion #riodejaneirodesigner
A post shared by LUXE ISLE (@luxeisle) on Jul 13, 2018 at 5:40am PDT

WIN 3 FREE BFYNE swimsuits with your squad! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Think you can do better than our #bts #dotheshiggy video? Here’s your chance to record your own video wearing BFYNE with your squad! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Each person in your squad of (3️⃣) wins a free swimsuit to recreate this video wearing Bfyne. Squad- @chola_girl @tatyanacooper_ @mariamadiallo_ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Rules: 1️⃣ Like this video 2️⃣Tag 2 members of your squad in the comments below 3️⃣You and your squad must be following Bfyne. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You and your squad MUST recreate the dance video. Once your prize is delivered a video must be submitted via email within 7 days for a repost and tag. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ➖Unlimited entries are welcomed ➖ ????NO PRIVATE PAGES ???? ➖ International entires are welcomed ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #bfyne #bfyneswim #dotheshiggy #inmyfeelingschallenge #inmyfeelings #dancevideo #dance #kekechallenge #doyouloveme #drake #squadgoals #bffs #bestfriendgoals
A post shared by BFYNE (@bfyne) on Jul 16, 2018 at 3:51pm PDT

You aren't what's happened to you. You are how you've overcome it. ???????? #LimitlessLife . . . . . . . . . #entrepreneur #business #success #entrepreneurship #startup #hustle #money #entrepreneurs #marketing #entrepreneurlife #businesswoman #businessowner #girlboss #wealth #smallbusiness #workfromhome #grind #womeninbusiness #ambition #mindset #startuplife #creative #pictureoftheday #blackgirlmagic #motivation #bfyneswim #bfyne
A post shared by ????????Day (@dania.bernard) on Dec 16, 2017 at 9:30am PST

“Miami Swim Week is the biggest platform for the swimwear industry in the U.S. It gives swimwear brands a chance to show off their collection, gives brand recognition and endless press opportunities,” Adele continued. “Designer Silvia Ulson received endless press with BFYNE’s collection; her press images have been published by Getty Images. During the show, the designer without having any idea where the dashiki print originated from blindly referenced the print as an Indian/Native American descent print. … BFYNE is owned by a Nigerian, and of African descent, which is part of our culture, and the 'Sahara' collection was a special collection to us.”

Fashion Week Online reached out to Ulson and is awaiting comment.

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Silvia Ulson

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