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.
“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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