Creating something, whether, with words, paint or even matchsticks gives you full ownership of it. And when it comes to plagiarising there are only some places where originality is taken seriously but in Art, not so much. Maybe because there are no set laws or rules for designs, this creative space can often be exploited. The latest testament to this is Dior‘s case. People Tree, a 25-year-old Indian designer store has accused Dior of stealing a design they originally owned and used it for Sonam Kapoor‘s outfit on the January cover of Elle.
The block print design used on Sonam’s outfit was originally crafted by Orijit Sen, 18 years ago for People Tree.
People Tree
People Tree
Here’s a picture of Sonam wearing the same print on the January issue of Elle.
Orijit Sen took to social media and expressed his outrage.
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I’d like to set an example here – so these mega brands with mega budgets think twice before plagiarising the work of…
Posted by Orijit Sen on Monday, January 22, 2018
Pakhi Sen, from People Tree told MissMalini:
People Tree has been an ethical artisan empowering art and textile initiative started by both my parents around 25 years ago. The hand blocks and natural dye fabrics were one of the main things they worked with. They worked with Bindaas Unlimited in Kaladera to design blocks made out of original artwork which are very iconic to their brand to this day. The Yoga print is one of those iconic prints that has been in production for almost 20 years. so when my mother got a message whatsapped to her with the cover of Elle with Sonam Kapoor wearing almost the exact same print, it’s only natural that she was angry and deeply hurt. Artistic integrity has been the main thing that People Tree has sustained itself on and this was a knife right into that ethic.
Rohit Bal has also called out his plagiarist on his Instagram.
As well as Nida Mahmood
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Posted by Nida Mahmood on Saturday, June 17, 2017
Dior and Elle still haven’t put their case forward regarding this. Tell us what you think in the comments below.
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