Thank you SO much for all your comments and support everyone, I've had a recent influx of views and comments which has been amazing! I feel like I have thousands of supportive hands lifting me up after this travesty, who all care about the same things as me! I would love to make more videos, will you let me know what you'd like to see more of? I was thinking of a studio tour, to show you how I run my small business and the steps I take to be sustainable and ethical. You can have a look at what I make here: www.churchofsanctus.com Lucinda x
Church of Sanctus you have a very fine design. I can totally see huge difference on the two design. Thank you for making this video. I hope buyers get more and more educated.
I'd love to see if you can compare more fakes to real versions, maybe have people donate the knock off they already bought ( youtubers who did wish videos and now have no use for the stuff) and compare it to peoples expensive hand made items
Damn, I remember almost buying this on rosegal last winter. I didn't know about you or that it was stolen.thank you for making this video. Hopefully I can save up until next winter to buy your coat!
stop buying on these sites. spend more money for way better quality pieces that'll last you instead. if the price is too good they MUST be making cuts on labor/ materials/ sustainability or, more often than not, all of the above.
@@a.a.s.3799 Not to mention design costs. They are stealing all their designs from other designers that worked hard to create their brand. This is the case with everything being sold cheap at these Chinese online stores.
This is the second video I have seen of a designer showing the differences between their stolen design and their original work. But more important than showing and talking about the differences and explaining the cost differences, is putting a human face on the theft! That it’s not just cut fabric these companies are stealing, it’s the creative work of a real person. I personally think that has even more impact. It’s not “just clothes”. Also: The ads for those sites pop up everywhere, and more often than not, the also steals photos of the duped clothing from the designers websites (adding insult to injury), so if you see something you like, reverse search the image and find the actual original site it was taken from, and buy from the true designer.
Thank you for understanding what it means to have work stolen like this! At the time I felt extremely violated to have part of my 'baby' stolen and churned out without my consent. Great tip on the reverse image searching. I would avoid these sites at all costs, but if you do see something you like then at least you can find the original creator.
Church of Sanctus You’re welcome. I loathe theft in any sort of fashion, but particularly in such a blatant, mass marketed manner. Thank you for making your video and helping to educate people and let them see what these sites truly mean and the impact they have. I think a lot of consumers are just trying to save some money, times are tight, I get it, but there is a reason the clothing is so cheap. I think the majority of people would not want to support theft and so it’s important they be enlightened and also addressing that the other aspect of the low price is that the knock offs are being made in sweat shops staffed by people who are little more than indentured servants. On top of the fact that they clearly steal from designers they know will not have the money and resources to fight them. I’m sorry that this has happened to you and I hope some day I can also own some of your beautiful designs! Best wishes to you.
I've seen another video on the topic and think more designers should talk about this to make everyone aware. Let people see small designer's viewpoint! Made me think twice before using such websites.
The cheap replica appears to hang on the body like a piece of sack cloth, not even trying to follow bodily contours. Its sleeves look like pieces of black bin liner sewn on to the jacket, very unlike the snakeskin-like texture on the original. It carries as much resemblance to the original design as a cheap Halloween outfit does to an exacting replica of a historical costume. I was made aware of this video through a friend who has also had his designs stolen. Handmade clothes are the way forward, not cheap knock-offs that don't make anyone look good.
Thank you so much for watching. Would you mind sharing with me who your friend is and the design they had stolen? I'm very sorry to hear that happened to them, it's a horrible discovery to make!
What a beautiful video. I’m so glad you did this. I love that you showed side by side and spoke not only about how them copying is wrong but why buying these cheap knockoffs is wrong. I’m terribly sorry this happened to you, and you are definitely making the most of it.
Absolutely. I made this video to explain why my design costs what it does, because consumers are confused why it should be so high when China can make it so cheaply. Don't let this hold you back though, your customers will find you! People who appreciate transparency and quality will support you.
someone here explained how the same company in south china would hire people to comb social media and youtube to identify brands they can kill. we've reached a point where its near impossible to slow them down . i feel like the UK, America and 99% of european nations made that one country filthy rich by continuously buy furnitures, clothes et... did we know we'd be in this predicament ?
Lechiffresix six it’s painfully obvious they lack creativity. Like, just hire designers. But I guess it’s cheaper to steal others designs. It’s disgusting and disrespectful on so many levels.
@@PHlophe Yes, this has been evident to me since I was in my early teens, around that time Made in China changed from what you find in the dollar store, to every clothing store in the mall. When I was younger than that, everything was made in my country. The quality of goods and availability of jobs here have continued to go downhill as consumerism rises as well.
I’ve been trying to explain how this affects REAL DESIGNERS for years but even other women have dragged me on the internet for trying to explain how knockoffs are destroying the industry. I don’t support these Chinese websites and I don’t support bloggers that do haul videos showing merchandise purchased from these stores. I’ve been designing clothes for years and trying to go commercial has always been a concern for me because of this! People looking for cheap or bargain garments will never (and don’t seem to care) understand the heart and soul put into creating fashion, not just skill and MONEY!
Bloggers & influencers making haul videos with this stuff is definitely a big issue that gives off the impression there's nothing wrong with it! Thank you for your input and support.
Elizabeth Jones they will nevee understand because they nevee got anything they created get stolen from them. You can open a shop with high quality stuff, yeah fewer ppl will buy bcs "pricer" and they can just "buy it online much cheaper". And you just wait, let them buy it, and then when they get a knock off thats not even woth the money they paid, they will come back to you. Just like those old shoe shops when orders are custom made. Yeah its more expensive but its made to fit for you! Ppl go for quantity over quality these days too much
While it's not okay for people to purchase bootleg/duped products you do have to think that a lot of people right now do not have a lot of disposable income. These sites and at times gray market shops help people have designs be more accessible even if they are poorly put together with sequins and glue. I do not like the idea of designs being taken away like this as I have faced it myself with Vapor Fashion using one of my wallpapers without my permission, but you do have to think what the primary consumer base of these products is (majorly not influencers, they are an anomaly).
I know! Every time I've tried to explain to someone why buying from this stores it's not OK I've been mocked. Most people don't care about ethical shopping, they just care about how less can they pay for something. It's sad
Seems like many thinks that all costumers have their pocket full and just want to buy cheap. Unfortunately, we live in a world where there's also people that can barely buy anything, if they see something pretty and that they can actually effort, they'll buy it. Poor's deserve pretty stuff too
This happens to dozens if not hundreds of others. Yall should team up and make this known on Chinese social media and media. It would embarrass the hell out of them if anything
Believe me, China doesn't care. They have no laws to protect intellectual property and this is seen as common practice. The problem are the western consumers who keep buying their cheap crap. In an ideal world this companies would go bankrupt because they wouldn't sell anything, but seems like people don't care. Oh well. :/
I like the idea of us all coming together to raise awareness - I don't think it'll stop them from making it, but it might save a few consumers from supporting this terrible practise.
@@Misa.misato - for what it's worth, China does have laws about copyright, they were a part of the Berne Convention. Someone can take a Chinese company to court internationally over a copyright violation, if they are willing to spend that kind of money. That said, clothing typically isn't eligible for copyright in most countries in the world. Textile prints are, and you can trademark your brand name and logo and then that is protected, but the design of a coat, the design of a shoe... these things aren't protected in the UK, the US, or China, sadly.
Church of Sanctus Maybe you teaming up together and with programmers to Build an Browser Add-On that detects stolen Ideas and links to the Original. People could Send their stuff in so the detection could be thourogher
I think theyre known for copying everything. They have a mak dak (copying mcdonalds). They have kfd kfg dfc (copying kfc). Sometimes it's funny. I dont think she has anything to worry about since the fake one is super bad and hideous haha. Id rather get the real thing but the blue fur isnt for me.
I’ve been saving to buy one of your gorgeous designs this year, it’s obvious that yours is a beautiful investment piece. Thank you for shining some light on this issue!
I'm so honoured to know you're saving up for one, thank you. My garments are definitely investment pieces and I think it makes them even more special that they're not just bought on a whim.
You probably already know this, but there were a few other designers that had this happen, watermark your photos for your listings. When people see those watermarks they will know that it is someone else's work. The next time a friend tells me they bought from these companies I will be sure to let them know.
Yeah that too. I'm empathetic to her but honestly don't have $200 pounds (which would be 340 CAD without tax for me) to spend on a jacket like that. This is not for everyday wear either. I hope others buy it because I can't support her the way I need to :(
@@sibby6554 I understand that my designs aren't affordable for everyone and don't expect them to me. Just seeing you say you appreciate what I'm doing means more than enough! :)
Its basically the Theory of Boots that Terry Pratchett came up with - people who only have $20 get disadvantaged on the long term, because a $200 jacket actually saves you money by quality that makes it last longer.
One of my favorite clothing companies/ designers went out of business because of the chinese copycat stores. I still have the cloths and unfortunately no longer fit. But i look at them saying one day I'll get them re-fitted.
@Jaime Ketchum Definitely enlarged. Might have to figure out the pattern or find the designers info for contact. I would pay full price or even double for another.
i'd contact the original designer first, if they are able to make the modifications, go for it, if not in my honest opinion I would not touch it. i'd rather keep it as a piece of art, maybe even put it as such in a mannequin in your house or something!
I'm quite 'crude' actually, I think whoever buys a chinese cheap jacket by $25 deserves exactly the cheap product they get. If someone is being uninformed and stupid enough to think they can get a good quality product so cheap, then they should pay the price.
That's disgusting!! I hope you take legal action against this company and get compensated for that. This is wrong and illegal. I wish you all the best and success for your case. They will lose because you have all the original designs, garment patterns, dates and your signature to prove authenticity of your products. Good luck.
I hope to see you continue to make videos in the future. I think as the conversation about fast fashion vs ethical fashion is being brought up more people could really benefit from seeing designers like you discussing why their clothes are that price, why ethical fashion is important, why it's worth it to invest into pieces etc. Some people only ever see high price tags on clothes from high end fashion brands where the price tag is mostly for the name. I hope people will realize it's worth it to invest in a few pieces and build a wardrobe rather than just buying a bunch of cheap stuff.
One of the first things I was told in art, was to get used to the fact that my ideas would be taken. Then to be grateful they were taken because 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery'. I'm still not sold on that idea....
I’m so deeply sorry to you. It is infuriating that there are entire companies of people that feel brazen enough to rip off someone’s personal, carefully-created design, only to regurgitate some cheap imitation. I’m working to become a fashion designer, and making clothing is such an intimate, vulnerable thing! I hope it felt good to go through the cheap garment and underline all the terrible ways it failed as a piece of clothing.
Thank you for your heartfelt comment Robert! You're right, it does feel intimate and vulnerable to create, and that's why it feels so satisfying to do. And on the other hand, so heartbreaking when someone steals a part of you!
Your design is GORGEOUS! The difference is palpable. Every time I see clothing and pin designs on websites like that I always know that somewhere there's a beautiful original version being hand-crafted by people with love, which is disappointing, but I've learned you can often find the originals by image searching!
I remember seeing on my Instagram feed, they were advertising for Dresslily and zaful of this jacket months ago and thinking this feels wrong. It was your design of this gorgeous jacket that I've been dying for but it wasn't yours. Ever since it was all I could see on Instagram, it was constantly showing up and I was constantly reporting it. I can't believe this is happening to you and your company. I really hope this company stops stealing from you.
I’ve loved your work for such a long time. Seeing this, even a year later makes me so upset. I sorry you’ve been through such an awful theft of your belongings, rights and business. I hope that you were able, or are in the future, to take back your control from these terrible companies. Sending you love and solidarity.
thank you for showing this. when i was younger (teens/early 20's) i never thought there was a difference between a real product and the fake ones. but now after looking into a lot of it i hate those cheap websites. i hope people who are currently the same age i was then realize it MUCH sooner than i did and support the actual creators of the designs they see on those websites. not only are they 99% of the time better made, they fit better, they look better, and they last longer. that 20$ coat will last you maybe a month. but a 200$ coat will last you years!
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Your jacket is absolutely wonderful and I'm glad you made a video showcasing this very problem because most people don't relies the clothing designs they find so cheaply online often are someone else's hard work
Your jacket is so very OBVIOUSLY better quality than theirs and it is just disgusting to see that they stole not only your design, but your images too (& photoshopped them I think)
A friend shared your video with me. I've had this happen too. They not only steal my designs, but my photos. I see so many small, brilliant, hardworking designers who are stolen from like this. Sending support and solidarity your way 🖤
The original is simply stunning. It is such a shame that these fast fashion companies are stealing the designs of such creative designers who truly deserve credit for their creativity and hard work. This is the first video of yours I have seen. Thank you for bringing this to the attention of those of us who may not have known this was going on. Companies like dresslily are advertised as if they are reputable companies. It is such a shame.
I’m so sorry that you’re going through that. I hear a lot of people’s designs are stolen on purpose because they know it’ll be hard for you to do anything. Your designs are beautiful! I saw them advising online and I knew it looked familiar. I’ll report it next time I see it. Again I’m very sorry :(
I wish more designers made videos like this. Many consumers are not aware of stolen designs and thus do not feel bad buying them (alongside all the other problems that plague buying fast fashion). Your jacket and all your other designs are absolutely beautiful and seem very much worth the price.
this hurts me SO bad, i can feel the pain in your voice. I design and make clothing for myself in my free time and as much as I'd love to make a career out of it, I am terrified of big companies because i know they love stealing from small artists. Keep your head up doll, anyone who watches this will see how much higher quality yours is
I'm so happy that this video was in my suggestions. I don't buy a lot of clothes and I don't buy often. But when I do I usually go to small businesses. I love your designs and I can definitely see myself purchasing your creations in the future.
I've never considered buying studio/handmade clothing, but this video has just led me to your website, and I'm loving everything I see :D Time to amp up a new style for myself tyvm.
girl, your design is amazing, that blue is stunning! I hope this video gets viral and people go buy your original piece where you put so much intectual and quality!
i think this will help people in this continent understand better why people in the african continent scream cultural appropriation. when they can't see their goods, yet over here we 1k for a small item that copies their original. when people talk about that subject, you guys pay close attention. never try to diminish other people';s plights.
I appreciate that you were super objective here and just informed rather than bash. The ethics of fast fashion are frequently awful, and something consumers don't realize is that these are also made of cheap synthetic fabrics and use cheap toxic dyes etc to keep the profit margins as high as possible. In countries like China where regulations aren't as strictly enforced, theres often no regard for the safety of material as that would add more cost. If you don't have a lot of money, Thrift Stores are the best place you can go because you're often able to get high quality garments that were ethically produced and lightly used for fast fashion prices.
I totally agree, thrifting is the most sustainable and ethical thing we can do! Thank you for your input, and I'm glad you feel I was objective as the last thing I want is for anyone to feel attacked - especially consumers who cannot afford to buy anything but very cheap clothing.
This opened my eyes a bit to companies like dresslily. I'm very thankful for this video. I won't be shopping at online stores like dresslily ever - not only is it unethical and very wasteful, but I'd be paying for extremely poor quality as well, something that won't last me past the first wear and wash
This video was fantastic, thank you for providing all the information and a comparison that makes the importance of conscious and ethical shopping so clear. Your work is stunning and I would much rather restrict my number of purchases and save my money to buy your quality and ethical pieces that will last a lifetime than cheap fast fashion. Keep up the amazing work and fighting the good fight!
At first when I found your video I really didn’t think much of the two jackets. Once you wore the two jackets there was such a vast difference in quality. The more you spoke about the jacket I almost had this sadness come over me and a tear in my eyes
Crazy, by the way your jacket looks 100% better than the knock off, if i didn't have the money to purchase a quality piece i would save money till i could. Its sad really how no one can efford quality these days, yet the more knockoffs they buy there wasting or practically throwing money away.
Thank you so much. I think slowly people are beginning to see the damage fast/disposable fashion is having on the Earth - and their wallets. It will take time, but the fact people are discussing it more is such a positive step forward!
Unfortunately this has been happening for years. I remember working in the shoe business and people were caught stealing the samples in the show booths. This was 25 years ago. Your work is incredible by the way.
being made of inferior, not eco-friendly material is just the beginning of how garbage this rip-off is. The way its cut is just so revealing of how they seem to only make it off a vague memory of a stolen picture, not with any idea or care of how it might sit on an actual human body.
I am so sorry it happened to you. Hope you can take legal action against them. People copy other people's work/content/songs etc :(( I, myself was a victim of copyright infringement and have been fighting it for a long time. Best of luck to you. Love your design and style.
For people who buy these things, the probably didn’t know the designer, they just see the product online, buy it expecting to get what is in the pictures and get disappointed at how different it turns out
Or.... they cant afford the original product. Im not buying an expensive ass garment. I would just get a knockoff. 😂 i have knockoff converse. Who cares?
The current state of the tessile industry is just outraging. I'm sorry this happened to you. You try being conscious, and distance yourself from this mass produced mess, and they still have the audacity to involve you in it, by stealing your work. ABSURD
I hate all of these large companies stealing designs from smaller brands because they think they can get away with it. The quality of the fur on the fake one looks awful.
A friend of mine is a fashion designer from Hong Kong, almost every of her designs were being stolen by mainland Chinese and sell it online(in really bad quality), she already got use to it. urgh
Wow, that original coat looks so beautiful, I can't even! I love that you are putting so much tought into your work. Will definitely keep an eye on your company
I really feel you , being a designer can be a challenge when mass manufacturers plagiarize and sell a cheaper quality and version of your design.I salute your diligence and input when creating your works.All the best.
That's why I no longer support those sites. You are also contribuiting to sweat labor. Yeah,some clothes are cute but they won't last and you are wasting your money. Not worth it in anyway. I try to thrift as much as I can,my wardrobe is full of used clothes but good quality I bought for less than €10 a piece. I am also learning how to sew (self taught) and it's such a useful skill that should be taught in school imo. But of course they don't because they want you to support the fast fashion industry.
Unfortunately it’s no way around it so many artist/designers have had designs stolen. Even high end brands get things copied. Sad 😞... but yours is gorgeous and you can tell it’s high end.
I'm so sorry this happened to you. The jacket you designed is absolutely beautiful. I think that if people can't afford to buy something at that price, they should learn how to make their own clothing so that they understand what actually goes into that sort of thing in the first place. Especially since if they decide they LIKE making their own clothes they can buy cheaper fabrics and make something inspired by a design they like and the garment will still end up being 10 times better than this!
it can be so difficult and scary to put your art and soul out there. Good luck and hopefully there’s a resolution. Hopefully this video gets big as well.
But you realize that by calling them out, now more people are going to buy the knockoffs? People who usually buy designer don’t cheap out, and people who usually buy the cheapest of fast fashion aren’t necessarily going to even be able to afford designer.
That's so sad! Your so talented. I see all these clothes for sale on Instagram and you can see they use the designers runway photos or look books and do not show the actual garment or fabric content that a person would purchase .
You did a right thing making this video. Consumers need to understand why real design clothing (not just brands that pretend to be ethical) is important and how we do little to nothing to recycle fast fashion! We need to stop this culture of youtube money spending hauls on cheap fast fashion websites.
The knockoff looks absolutely appalling. Whereas the attention to detail, the workmanship and the materials in your design is superb. This is an excellent video highlighting some serious issues in the "fast fashion" industry.
That's nonsense. The copyright law is FOR ALL SUBJECTS. It's China that is the problem because China has different copyright laws (which means none, they can steal and fake how much they want) and is not bounded to any other countries. It simply doesn't care what copyright the country has they steal the idea from. There is also nothing you can do against it, you can't sue them either. It's sad how it is, but that's China for you.
Nikki Kuntergraudunkelbunt I understand. What I meant was it’s easier to steal fashion or paintings/ digital art work, then it is to steal music or film footage
I had to bookmark your website so I can wait until my next pay check because I'm about to buy 3 of your designs. They are so beautiful. So sorry to hear about the stolen design but you can't mimic this quality!
I nearly bought this at the time (not knowing it was stolen), I'm glad I did not and ended up discovering your brand. I now own the actual coat, it's one of my most prized clothing items.
I think more designers should do this. They work so hard and those fast fashion brands steal those hard works and sell it for less price. Not fair for the small designers. And we need to make more awareness and tell fashion bloggers working with those brands to help these guys instead of those cheap brands.
It frustrates me as a consumer as well because I've wasted my money on these sites... and been so disappointed when I realise I've made a mistake. We've been cheated into thinking we are getting something good for our money when it's never worth it.
Yes please I would love more videos about ethical fashion. I'm so tired of youtubers and youtube advertising wish and companies like that. You've gained a new subscriber.
I'm so glad this showed up in my recommended feed. Your design and work is so beautiful. I would love to see more videos from you (the entire video was so aesthetically pleasing too) on such subjects. I'm sorry this happened to you. It must be so frustrating. I don't really know what to say, but I hope the system can change - I hope we can do better as consumers. I know ethical fashion is a growing industry as more people learn and what to be more sustainable in their choices. I also know there's a long way to go. It's sad to see influencers pushing fast fashion because that's where they get sponsorships and views from. I remember an influence doing a more sustainable fashion video maybe a year or two ago. I haven't seen another from them since. Sorry, this turned into a long stream of consciousness, but again, I'm glad I saw this video.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, I enjoyed your stream of consciousness. I agree regarding influencers, they take deals from these fast fashion companies because they pay, and at the end of the day we all have to put food on the table. But slow fashion doesn't operate in a way that has ££££'s of budget and surplus stock to send to people, and sending tons of clothes out to insta celebrities for 'hauls' doesn't really align with slow fashion values. I do wonder how sustainability fits into the world of influencers in the future.
That sucks and it's one of the many reasons why I will never buy clothes from this type of online shops. It's really awful the way big companies like this steal from independent designers and still deny it when it's pretty freaking obvious that they stole. Ugh.
I can’t stand companies like this. I saw another rip off design. It was a cosplay dress I bought on Etsy a few years ago. I saw it on another website selling a cheap replica. I think it’s important to call out companies like this so people are aware and hopefully make better choices when making purchases.
Don't be discouraged by someone imitating your idea. Your design is beautiful and high quality, just like you are. Patterns and ideas are not copyrighted, we all should accept this. Only printed works can be copyrighted. Your photos are copyrighted and you can at least email them to request they take down the photo and use their own.
Every struggling/growing artisan's greatest fear. I am truly sorry for your experience. Absolute heartbreak. It's become so common. Every time your voice wavers, my heart hurts for you.
Fast Fashion in general is taking over a lot of what used to be my fav clothing brands... now they dont do seasons anymore, they change clothes trends every WEEK! thats insane. the clothes are so cheap now that it kinda makes sense though - what you buy will fall apart. And omg the rise of ACRYLIC as a fabric??? I see it in a lot of sweaters now, but its fibers made out of plastic and omg it holds odor like no ones business! you could wash that shirt 100 times and it will never smell clean!!! its like the odor has a way of settling into those fibers even more as you wash!
That kind of thing makes me crazy! Every time I see a company like that using a picture that I know has been stolen I report them. I also email the person the pic was stolen from and let them know. Sometimes I'll even post a link to the real thing in comments if it's on FB, and tell people to support the real designer and not to buy some cheap knockoff just to save a few dollars.
That's how I found out about this whole situation - a few of my followers were tagging me in the fake design that was being advertised to them on facebook and sticking up for me! It's a small thing we can all do when we see this happening to other designers on social media, because at least people have the option to seek out the true creator. It also feels amazing when you know your customers have your back!
The worst thing is i as a consumer, would much rather spend the full sum of money on what appears in the photo, but its hard to find where the original can even be bought 😫
Just got this on my recommended and damn I love your designs, im sorry to hear that happend to you. I will definitely be buying from you in the future! Im going to need that rebirth coat in black next year..
I’ve been a follower of you and then Sanctus for such a long time and this is so disappointing. I treasure my custom crop you made for me and I love knowing it’s sustainable fashion and that I’m supporting a real designer ❤️
I am sorry to hear what happen to you. Your garment looks beautiful and the copy one has no comparison with that. the people could easily tell what they paid for; though it's still unfair and hurts to see own designs got destroyed. In the past, CopyRight was not officially mentioned in China, even we are working so hard in recent years there is still a long way to go. I will tell my friends do not shop from this website, I know there are local authorities doing these jobs but I don't know how to process from outside China. I hope you will find a way and get what you deserve.
I purchased this jacket after seeing your picture minus the face. I instantly feel IN Love! I want you to know that although I am probably a bit larger than your normal target I am fully capable and willing to purchase one of your drape/cloak style jackets. edit: Let me clarify that it was an ig ad and I had no idea it was a knockoff at the time. I paid more than 25 but still felt what I paid was cheap, until I got it in a zaful package and it looked and felt cheap.
Thank you SO much for all your comments and support everyone, I've had a recent influx of views and comments which has been amazing! I feel like I have thousands of supportive hands lifting me up after this travesty, who all care about the same things as me!
I would love to make more videos, will you let me know what you'd like to see more of? I was thinking of a studio tour, to show you how I run my small business and the steps I take to be sustainable and ethical.
You can have a look at what I make here: www.churchofsanctus.com
Lucinda x
Church of Sanctus you have a very fine design. I can totally see huge difference on the two design. Thank you for making this video. I hope buyers get more and more educated.
I'd love for more videos about ethical fashion and yes a studio tour would be lovely. I'm subscribing for sure ❤️
Don't give up to make a new design again!
Definitely over priced..
I'd love to see if you can compare more fakes to real versions, maybe have people donate the knock off they already bought ( youtubers who did wish videos and now have no use for the stuff) and compare it to peoples expensive hand made items
The fake one looks like a costume and the other one look like a real well designed coat
Thank you!
Yeah, that was my first impression. Looks like something of the rack at Party City.
they both look like a costume in terms of design.
@@notoriousalien I do agree that my design has an element of costume/fantasy to it. Life is short, wear something fun!
@@ChurchofSanctus of course, costume doesn't mean bad at all. i imagine some type of forest fairy wearing this coat ahaha
I can feel the hurt in your voice, I'm so sorry for what happened.
Damn, I remember almost buying this on rosegal last winter. I didn't know about you or that it was stolen.thank you for making this video. Hopefully I can save up until next winter to buy your coat!
I'm glad to have gained you as a supporter amongst all this! Lucinda x
Did you successfully save up?
stop buying on these sites. spend more money for way better quality pieces that'll last you instead. if the price is too good they MUST be making cuts on labor/ materials/ sustainability or, more often than not, all of the above.
@@a.a.s.3799 Not to mention design costs. They are stealing all their designs from other designers that worked hard to create their brand. This is the case with everything being sold cheap at these Chinese online stores.
Have you bought it? Winter is coming!
This is the second video I have seen of a designer showing the differences between their stolen design and their original work. But more important than showing and talking about the differences and explaining the cost differences, is putting a human face on the theft! That it’s not just cut fabric these companies are stealing, it’s the creative work of a real person. I personally think that has even more impact. It’s not “just clothes”.
Also: The ads for those sites pop up everywhere, and more often than not, the also steals photos of the duped clothing from the designers websites (adding insult to injury), so if you see something you like, reverse search the image and find the actual original site it was taken from, and buy from the true designer.
Thank you for understanding what it means to have work stolen like this! At the time I felt extremely violated to have part of my 'baby' stolen and churned out without my consent.
Great tip on the reverse image searching. I would avoid these sites at all costs, but if you do see something you like then at least you can find the original creator.
Intellectual property is a stupid thing and when we enforce it, we remove consumer choice.
who was the other designer who made a comparison video?
Sophie May ruclips.net/video/dGeJQOeTC9o/видео.html
Daniela Tabois. She’s also someone whom they stole even the photos directly from her site.
Church of Sanctus You’re welcome. I loathe theft in any sort of fashion, but particularly in such a blatant, mass marketed manner. Thank you for making your video and helping to educate people and let them see what these sites truly mean and the impact they have. I think a lot of consumers are just trying to save some money, times are tight, I get it, but there is a reason the clothing is so cheap. I think the majority of people would not want to support theft and so it’s important they be enlightened and also addressing that the other aspect of the low price is that the knock offs are being made in sweat shops staffed by people who are little more than indentured servants. On top of the fact that they clearly steal from designers they know will not have the money and resources to fight them.
I’m sorry that this has happened to you and I hope some day I can also own some of your beautiful designs! Best wishes to you.
the hurt in her voice is so heart breaking 😢
Ianpaul Andreo lol. People are dying and starving in the world.
I've seen another video on the topic and think more designers should talk about this to make everyone aware. Let people see small designer's viewpoint! Made me think twice before using such websites.
The cheap replica appears to hang on the body like a piece of sack cloth, not even trying to follow bodily contours. Its sleeves look like pieces of black bin liner sewn on to the jacket, very unlike the snakeskin-like texture on the original. It carries as much resemblance to the original design as a cheap Halloween outfit does to an exacting replica of a historical costume.
I was made aware of this video through a friend who has also had his designs stolen. Handmade clothes are the way forward, not cheap knock-offs that don't make anyone look good.
Thank you so much for watching. Would you mind sharing with me who your friend is and the design they had stolen? I'm very sorry to hear that happened to them, it's a horrible discovery to make!
What a beautiful video. I’m so glad you did this. I love that you showed side by side and spoke not only about how them copying is wrong but why buying these cheap knockoffs is wrong.
I’m terribly sorry this happened to you, and you are definitely making the most of it.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, I wanted to make it informative but not too 'educational'! Thank you for your support as always Alise 🙏
This scares me as a young brand. It's tough as it is. Now to have companies who can copy your work and make it at a fraction of the price is crazy.
Absolutely. I made this video to explain why my design costs what it does, because consumers are confused why it should be so high when China can make it so cheaply.
Don't let this hold you back though, your customers will find you! People who appreciate transparency and quality will support you.
someone here explained how the same company in south china would hire people to comb social media and youtube to identify brands they can kill. we've reached a point where its near impossible to slow them down . i feel like the UK, America and 99% of european nations made that one country filthy rich by continuously buy furnitures, clothes et... did we know we'd be in this predicament ?
Church of Sanctus Thank you. Here’s hoping it doesn’t happen again...hoping.
Lechiffresix six it’s painfully obvious they lack creativity. Like, just hire designers. But I guess it’s cheaper to steal others designs. It’s disgusting and disrespectful on so many levels.
@@PHlophe Yes, this has been evident to me since I was in my early teens, around that time Made in China changed from what you find in the dollar store, to every clothing store in the mall. When I was younger than that, everything was made in my country. The quality of goods and availability of jobs here have continued to go downhill as consumerism rises as well.
I’ve been trying to explain how this affects REAL DESIGNERS for years but even other women have dragged me on the internet for trying to explain how knockoffs are destroying the industry.
I don’t support these Chinese websites and I don’t support bloggers that do haul videos showing merchandise purchased from these stores.
I’ve been designing clothes for years and trying to go commercial has always been a concern for me because of this!
People looking for cheap or bargain garments will never (and don’t seem to care) understand the heart and soul put into creating fashion, not just skill and MONEY!
Bloggers & influencers making haul videos with this stuff is definitely a big issue that gives off the impression there's nothing wrong with it! Thank you for your input and support.
Elizabeth Jones they will nevee understand because they nevee got anything they created get stolen from them. You can open a shop with high quality stuff, yeah fewer ppl will buy bcs "pricer" and they can just "buy it online much cheaper". And you just wait, let them buy it, and then when they get a knock off thats not even woth the money they paid, they will come back to you. Just like those old shoe shops when orders are custom made. Yeah its more expensive but its made to fit for you! Ppl go for quantity over quality these days too much
While it's not okay for people to purchase bootleg/duped products you do have to think that a lot of people right now do not have a lot of disposable income. These sites and at times gray market shops help people have designs be more accessible even if they are poorly put together with sequins and glue.
I do not like the idea of designs being taken away like this as I have faced it myself with Vapor Fashion using one of my wallpapers without my permission, but you do have to think what the primary consumer base of these products is (majorly not influencers, they are an anomaly).
I know! Every time I've tried to explain to someone why buying from this stores it's not OK I've been mocked. Most people don't care about ethical shopping, they just care about how less can they pay for something. It's sad
Seems like many thinks that all costumers have their pocket full and just want to buy cheap.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where there's also people that can barely buy anything, if they see something pretty and that they can actually effort, they'll buy it. Poor's deserve pretty stuff too
The fake one is pure sacrilege, with the fun fur collar, being the biggest insult. I'm so sorry this happened to you.
This happens to dozens if not hundreds of others. Yall should team up and make this known on Chinese social media and media. It would embarrass the hell out of them if anything
Believe me, China doesn't care. They have no laws to protect intellectual property and this is seen as common practice. The problem are the western consumers who keep buying their cheap crap. In an ideal world this companies would go bankrupt because they wouldn't sell anything, but seems like people don't care. Oh well. :/
I like the idea of us all coming together to raise awareness - I don't think it'll stop them from making it, but it might save a few consumers from supporting this terrible practise.
@@Misa.misato - for what it's worth, China does have laws about copyright, they were a part of the Berne Convention. Someone can take a Chinese company to court internationally over a copyright violation, if they are willing to spend that kind of money. That said, clothing typically isn't eligible for copyright in most countries in the world. Textile prints are, and you can trademark your brand name and logo and then that is protected, but the design of a coat, the design of a shoe... these things aren't protected in the UK, the US, or China, sadly.
Church of Sanctus Maybe you teaming up together and with programmers to Build an Browser Add-On that detects stolen Ideas and links to the Original.
People could Send their stuff in so the detection could be thourogher
I think theyre known for copying everything. They have a mak dak (copying mcdonalds). They have kfd kfg dfc (copying kfc). Sometimes it's funny. I dont think she has anything to worry about since the fake one is super bad and hideous haha. Id rather get the real thing but the blue fur isnt for me.
The moment you dress the fake coat on, i almost laugh at how horrible it is lol
I’ve been saving to buy one of your gorgeous designs this year, it’s obvious that yours is a beautiful investment piece. Thank you for shining some light on this issue!
I'm so honoured to know you're saving up for one, thank you. My garments are definitely investment pieces and I think it makes them even more special that they're not just bought on a whim.
I also can feel the hurt in her voice. She put a lot of effort into a design. Surely you can sue the company?
You probably already know this, but there were a few other designers that had this happen, watermark your photos for your listings. When people see those watermarks they will know that it is someone else's work. The next time a friend tells me they bought from these companies I will be sure to let them know.
Thank you so much for spreading the word. You're right, watermarks are ugly but serve a purpose.
When it comes down to it, the people who bought the GBP 20 jacket are not your target market for your GBP 200 jacket.
Yeah that too. I'm empathetic to her but honestly don't have $200 pounds (which would be 340 CAD without tax for me) to spend on a jacket like that. This is not for everyday wear either. I hope others buy it because I can't support her the way I need to :(
@@sibby6554 I understand that my designs aren't affordable for everyone and don't expect them to me. Just seeing you say you appreciate what I'm doing means more than enough! :)
Its basically the Theory of Boots that Terry Pratchett came up with - people who only have $20 get disadvantaged on the long term, because a $200 jacket actually saves you money by quality that makes it last longer.
One of my favorite clothing companies/ designers went out of business because of the chinese copycat stores. I still have the cloths and unfortunately no longer fit. But i look at them saying one day I'll get them re-fitted.
@Jaime Ketchum Definitely enlarged. Might have to figure out the pattern or find the designers info for contact. I would pay full price or even double for another.
i'd contact the original designer first, if they are able to make the modifications, go for it, if not in my honest opinion I would not touch it. i'd rather keep it as a piece of art, maybe even put it as such in a mannequin in your house or something!
I see your pride on your face when you wear the coat you made yourself. You should be proud, because it's freaking beautiful.
I'm quite 'crude' actually, I think whoever buys a chinese cheap jacket by $25 deserves exactly the cheap product they get.
If someone is being uninformed and stupid enough to think they can get a good quality product so cheap, then they should pay the price.
also you can't sue them for copying the coat because clothing can't be copyrighted. you can sue them for using the picture though.
That's disgusting!! I hope you take legal action against this company and get compensated for that. This is wrong and illegal. I wish you all the best and success for your case.
They will lose because you have all the original designs, garment patterns, dates and your signature to prove authenticity of your products. Good luck.
I hope to see you continue to make videos in the future. I think as the conversation about fast fashion vs ethical fashion is being brought up more people could really benefit from seeing designers like you discussing why their clothes are that price, why ethical fashion is important, why it's worth it to invest into pieces etc. Some people only ever see high price tags on clothes from high end fashion brands where the price tag is mostly for the name. I hope people will realize it's worth it to invest in a few pieces and build a wardrobe rather than just buying a bunch of cheap stuff.
One of the first things I was told in art, was to get used to the fact that my ideas would be taken. Then to be grateful they were taken because 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery'.
I'm still not sold on that idea....
I’m so deeply sorry to you. It is infuriating that there are entire companies of people that feel brazen enough to rip off someone’s personal, carefully-created design, only to regurgitate some cheap imitation. I’m working to become a fashion designer, and making clothing is such an intimate, vulnerable thing! I hope it felt good to go through the cheap garment and underline all the terrible ways it failed as a piece of clothing.
Thank you for your heartfelt comment Robert! You're right, it does feel intimate and vulnerable to create, and that's why it feels so satisfying to do. And on the other hand, so heartbreaking when someone steals a part of you!
Your design is GORGEOUS! The difference is palpable. Every time I see clothing and pin designs on websites like that I always know that somewhere there's a beautiful original version being hand-crafted by people with love, which is disappointing, but I've learned you can often find the originals by image searching!
I remember seeing on my Instagram feed, they were advertising for Dresslily and zaful of this jacket months ago and thinking this feels wrong. It was your design of this gorgeous jacket that I've been dying for but it wasn't yours. Ever since it was all I could see on Instagram, it was constantly showing up and I was constantly reporting it. I can't believe this is happening to you and your company. I really hope this company stops stealing from you.
Thank you so much Justine, for reporting the ad continually and for knowing it was wrong! I'm so grateful to have your support
It’s like getting stolen in the street, just after buying your new cellphone by working hard everyday. I’m so sorry for you :(
I’ve loved your work for such a long time. Seeing this, even a year later makes me so upset. I sorry you’ve been through such an awful theft of your belongings, rights and business. I hope that you were able, or are in the future, to take back your control from these terrible companies. Sending you love and solidarity.
Gosh thank you for such a heartfelt comment, it means a lot to have your support! Sending you love right back.
thank you for showing this. when i was younger (teens/early 20's) i never thought there was a difference between a real product and the fake ones. but now after looking into a lot of it i hate those cheap websites. i hope people who are currently the same age i was then realize it MUCH sooner than i did and support the actual creators of the designs they see on those websites. not only are they 99% of the time better made, they fit better, they look better, and they last longer. that 20$ coat will last you maybe a month. but a 200$ coat will last you years!
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Your jacket is absolutely wonderful and I'm glad you made a video showcasing this very problem because most people don't relies the clothing designs they find so cheaply online often are someone else's hard work
Your jacket is so very OBVIOUSLY better quality than theirs and it is just disgusting to see that they stole not only your design, but your images too (& photoshopped them I think)
Thank you so much for watching, and being so sweet.
A friend shared your video with me. I've had this happen too. They not only steal my designs, but my photos. I see so many small, brilliant, hardworking designers who are stolen from like this. Sending support and solidarity your way 🖤
The original is simply stunning. It is such a shame that these fast fashion companies are stealing the designs of such creative designers who truly deserve credit for their creativity and hard work. This is the first video of yours I have seen. Thank you for bringing this to the attention of those of us who may not have known this was going on.
Companies like dresslily are advertised as if they are reputable companies. It is such a shame.
There is literally no comparison; your jacket exudes carefully crafted whilst theirs is like a pile of scraps.
Finally someone who is talking about the true cost of clothing and showing people why bespoke and handmade is truly the only way to go
I’m so sorry that you’re going through that. I hear a lot of people’s designs are stolen on purpose because they know it’ll be hard for you to do anything. Your designs are beautiful! I saw them advising online and I knew it looked familiar. I’ll report it next time I see it. Again I’m very sorry :(
I wish more designers made videos like this. Many consumers are not aware of stolen designs and thus do not feel bad buying them (alongside all the other problems that plague buying fast fashion). Your jacket and all your other designs are absolutely beautiful and seem very much worth the price.
this hurts me SO bad, i can feel the pain in your voice. I design and make clothing for myself in my free time and as much as I'd love to make a career out of it, I am terrified of big companies because i know they love stealing from small artists. Keep your head up doll, anyone who watches this will see how much higher quality yours is
I'm so happy that this video was in my suggestions. I don't buy a lot of clothes and I don't buy often. But when I do I usually go to small businesses. I love your designs and I can definitely see myself purchasing your creations in the future.
THE FAKE LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING I MADE WITH LEFT OVER CLOTH.
I've never considered buying studio/handmade clothing, but this video has just led me to your website, and I'm loving everything I see :D Time to amp up a new style for myself tyvm.
Your jacket isn’t even priced crazy it’s reasonable in my opinion. I’m sorry that this happened to you
Not surprised, Zara copies hundreds and thousands in a year, even when Zara lost in class action, the profit still cover the amerce.
girl, your design is amazing, that blue is stunning! I hope this video gets viral and people go buy your original piece where you put so much intectual and quality!
That fake one is horrendous.
I give you compassion and support. This happening to me too. And i'm too small designer to be able to do something.
i think this will help people in this continent understand better why people in the african continent scream cultural appropriation. when they can't see their goods, yet over here we 1k for a small item that copies their original.
when people talk about that subject, you guys pay close attention. never try to diminish other people';s plights.
I appreciate that you were super objective here and just informed rather than bash. The ethics of fast fashion are frequently awful, and something consumers don't realize is that these are also made of cheap synthetic fabrics and use cheap toxic dyes etc to keep the profit margins as high as possible. In countries like China where regulations aren't as strictly enforced, theres often no regard for the safety of material as that would add more cost. If you don't have a lot of money, Thrift Stores are the best place you can go because you're often able to get high quality garments that were ethically produced and lightly used for fast fashion prices.
I totally agree, thrifting is the most sustainable and ethical thing we can do!
Thank you for your input, and I'm glad you feel I was objective as the last thing I want is for anyone to feel attacked - especially consumers who cannot afford to buy anything but very cheap clothing.
This opened my eyes a bit to companies like dresslily. I'm very thankful for this video. I won't be shopping at online stores like dresslily ever - not only is it unethical and very wasteful, but I'd be paying for extremely poor quality as well, something that won't last me past the first wear and wash
This video was fantastic, thank you for providing all the information and a comparison that makes the importance of conscious and ethical shopping so clear. Your work is stunning and I would much rather restrict my number of purchases and save my money to buy your quality and ethical pieces that will last a lifetime than cheap fast fashion. Keep up the amazing work and fighting the good fight!
At first when I found your video I really didn’t think much of the two jackets. Once you wore the two jackets there was such a vast difference in quality. The more you spoke about the jacket I almost had this sadness come over me and a tear in my eyes
That’s such a shame, your product definitely is quality.
Your jacket looks awesome. I like the little patterns on the sleeves, and they don't have that shine that the knock off has.
Crazy, by the way your jacket looks 100% better than the knock off, if i didn't have the money to purchase a quality piece i would save money till i could. Its sad really how no one can efford quality these days, yet the more knockoffs they buy there wasting or practically throwing money away.
Thank you so much. I think slowly people are beginning to see the damage fast/disposable fashion is having on the Earth - and their wallets. It will take time, but the fact people are discussing it more is such a positive step forward!
Unfortunately this has been happening for years. I remember working in the shoe business and people were caught stealing the samples in the show booths. This was 25 years ago. Your work is incredible by the way.
being made of inferior, not eco-friendly material is just the beginning of how garbage this rip-off is. The way its cut is just so revealing of how they seem to only make it off a vague memory of a stolen picture, not with any idea or care of how it might sit on an actual human body.
I completely support you and I am so sorry this happened to you. The design of your Coat is just amazing, I love it.
this is so sad, im so glad you came out with this video!
I am so sorry it happened to you. Hope you can take legal action against them. People copy other people's work/content/songs etc :(( I, myself was a victim of copyright infringement and have been fighting it for a long time. Best of luck to you. Love your design and style.
After watching this I am really frustrated. You are so sweet and hard-working and I hope it will pay off. All I can do is to wish you good luck
For people who buy these things, the probably didn’t know the designer, they just see the product online, buy it expecting to get what is in the pictures and get disappointed at how different it turns out
Or.... they cant afford the original product. Im not buying an expensive ass garment. I would just get a knockoff. 😂 i have knockoff converse. Who cares?
The current state of the tessile industry is just outraging.
I'm sorry this happened to you. You try being conscious, and distance yourself from this mass produced mess, and they still have the audacity to involve you in it, by stealing your work. ABSURD
Thank you for the support, it means a lot
This is gut wrenching. I’m so sorry to hear that all your heard work and passion wa shuts blatantly disrespected by this company.
I hate all of these large companies stealing designs from smaller brands because they think they can get away with it. The quality of the fur on the fake one looks awful.
A very smart move to denounce the theft by putting a focus on the differences of quality. Shame on them.
A friend of mine is a fashion designer from Hong Kong, almost every of her designs were being stolen by mainland Chinese and sell it online(in really bad quality), she already got use to it. urgh
Wow, that original coat looks so beautiful, I can't even! I love that you are putting so much tought into your work. Will definitely keep an eye on your company
I really feel you , being a designer can be a challenge when mass manufacturers plagiarize and sell a cheaper quality and version of your design.I salute your diligence and input when creating your works.All the best.
That's why I no longer support those sites. You are also contribuiting to sweat labor.
Yeah,some clothes are cute but they won't last and you are wasting your money. Not worth it in anyway.
I try to thrift as much as I can,my wardrobe is full of used clothes but good quality I bought for less than €10 a piece.
I am also learning how to sew (self taught) and it's such a useful skill that should be taught in school imo. But of course they don't because they want you to support the fast fashion industry.
Unfortunately it’s no way around it so many artist/designers have had designs stolen. Even high end brands get things copied. Sad 😞...
but yours is gorgeous and you can tell it’s high end.
I'm so sorry this happened to you. The jacket you designed is absolutely beautiful. I think that if people can't afford to buy something at that price, they should learn how to make their own clothing so that they understand what actually goes into that sort of thing in the first place. Especially since if they decide they LIKE making their own clothes they can buy cheaper fabrics and make something inspired by a design they like and the garment will still end up being 10 times better than this!
it can be so difficult and scary to put your art and soul out there. Good luck and hopefully there’s a resolution. Hopefully this video gets big as well.
But you realize that by calling them out, now more people are going to buy the knockoffs? People who usually buy designer don’t cheap out, and people who usually buy the cheapest of fast fashion aren’t necessarily going to even be able to afford designer.
Exactly
That's so sad! Your so talented. I see all these clothes for sale on Instagram and you can see they use the designers runway photos or look books and do not show the actual garment or fabric content that a person would purchase .
You did a right thing making this video. Consumers need to understand why real design clothing (not just brands that pretend to be ethical) is important and how we do little to nothing to recycle fast fashion! We need to stop this culture of youtube money spending hauls on cheap fast fashion websites.
Your original version is soooo pretty!
Thank you so much !
The knockoff looks absolutely appalling. Whereas the attention to detail, the workmanship and the materials in your design is superb. This is an excellent video highlighting some serious issues in the "fast fashion" industry.
Why aren’t their any copyright laws for fashion designers. There are many laws to protect musicians what about fashion work ?
That's nonsense. The copyright law is FOR ALL SUBJECTS. It's China that is the problem because China has different copyright laws (which means none, they can steal and fake how much they want) and is not bounded to any other countries. It simply doesn't care what copyright the country has they steal the idea from. There is also nothing you can do against it, you can't sue them either. It's sad how it is, but that's China for you.
Nikki Kuntergraudunkelbunt I understand. What I meant was it’s easier to steal fashion or paintings/ digital art work, then it is to steal music or film footage
I had to bookmark your website so I can wait until my next pay check because I'm about to buy 3 of your designs. They are so beautiful. So sorry to hear about the stolen design but you can't mimic this quality!
I nearly bought this at the time (not knowing it was stolen), I'm glad I did not and ended up discovering your brand. I now own the actual coat, it's one of my most prized clothing items.
The difference in quality is so baffling... you've seriously done an amazing job on this garment
I think more designers should do this. They work so hard and those fast fashion brands steal those hard works and sell it for less price. Not fair for the small designers. And we need to make more awareness and tell fashion bloggers working with those brands to help these guys instead of those cheap brands.
It frustrates me as a consumer as well because I've wasted my money on these sites... and been so disappointed when I realise I've made a mistake. We've been cheated into thinking we are getting something good for our money when it's never worth it.
Yes please I would love more videos about ethical fashion. I'm so tired of youtubers and youtube advertising wish and companies like that.
You've gained a new subscriber.
I'm so glad this showed up in my recommended feed. Your design and work is so beautiful. I would love to see more videos from you (the entire video was so aesthetically pleasing too) on such subjects. I'm sorry this happened to you. It must be so frustrating.
I don't really know what to say, but I hope the system can change - I hope we can do better as consumers. I know ethical fashion is a growing industry as more people learn and what to be more sustainable in their choices. I also know there's a long way to go. It's sad to see influencers pushing fast fashion because that's where they get sponsorships and views from. I remember an influence doing a more sustainable fashion video maybe a year or two ago. I haven't seen another from them since. Sorry, this turned into a long stream of consciousness, but again, I'm glad I saw this video.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, I enjoyed your stream of consciousness.
I agree regarding influencers, they take deals from these fast fashion companies because they pay, and at the end of the day we all have to put food on the table.
But slow fashion doesn't operate in a way that has ££££'s of budget and surplus stock to send to people, and sending tons of clothes out to insta celebrities for 'hauls' doesn't really align with slow fashion values. I do wonder how sustainability fits into the world of influencers in the future.
That sucks and it's one of the many reasons why I will never buy clothes from this type of online shops. It's really awful the way big companies like this steal from independent designers and still deny it when it's pretty freaking obvious that they stole. Ugh.
I can’t stand companies like this. I saw another rip off design. It was a cosplay dress I bought on Etsy a few years ago. I saw it on another website selling a cheap replica. I think it’s important to call out companies like this so people are aware and hopefully make better choices when making purchases.
Don't be discouraged by someone imitating your idea. Your design is beautiful and high quality, just like you are. Patterns and ideas are not copyrighted, we all should accept this. Only printed works can be copyrighted. Your photos are copyrighted and you can at least email them to request they take down the photo and use their own.
I am so sorry this happen to you. This isn't fair. I can't even imagine what it feels like to have someone STOLE something i put my heart into.
Every struggling/growing artisan's greatest fear. I am truly sorry for your experience. Absolute heartbreak.
It's become so common.
Every time your voice wavers, my heart hurts for you.
Thank you so much for hearing me
this was a well made video-- I am surprised that it did not go as viral as it deserved. I wish you the best, your designs are impeccable.
Fast Fashion in general is taking over a lot of what used to be my fav clothing brands... now they dont do seasons anymore, they change clothes trends every WEEK! thats insane. the clothes are so cheap now that it kinda makes sense though - what you buy will fall apart. And omg the rise of ACRYLIC as a fabric??? I see it in a lot of sweaters now, but its fibers made out of plastic and omg it holds odor like no ones business! you could wash that shirt 100 times and it will never smell clean!!! its like the odor has a way of settling into those fibers even more as you wash!
That kind of thing makes me crazy! Every time I see a company like that using a picture that I know has been stolen I report them. I also email the person the pic was stolen from and let them know. Sometimes I'll even post a link to the real thing in comments if it's on FB, and tell people to support the real designer and not to buy some cheap knockoff just to save a few dollars.
That's how I found out about this whole situation - a few of my followers were tagging me in the fake design that was being advertised to them on facebook and sticking up for me! It's a small thing we can all do when we see this happening to other designers on social media, because at least people have the option to seek out the true creator. It also feels amazing when you know your customers have your back!
The worst thing is i as a consumer, would much rather spend the full sum of money on what appears in the photo, but its hard to find where the original can even be bought 😫
Just got this on my recommended and damn I love your designs, im sorry to hear that happend to you.
I will definitely be buying from you in the future! Im going to need that rebirth coat in black next year..
I’ve been a follower of you and then Sanctus for such a long time and this is so disappointing. I treasure my custom crop you made for me and I love knowing it’s sustainable fashion and that I’m supporting a real designer ❤️
Thank you so much Nana. From Day 1!
I am sorry to hear what happen to you. Your garment looks beautiful and the copy one has no comparison with that. the people could easily tell what they paid for; though it's still unfair and hurts to see own designs got destroyed. In the past, CopyRight was not officially mentioned in China, even we are working so hard in recent years there is still a long way to go. I will tell my friends do not shop from this website, I know there are local authorities doing these jobs but I don't know how to process from outside China. I hope you will find a way and get what you deserve.
Your design is sooo beautiful! Thanks for confronting this!
I purchased this jacket after seeing your picture minus the face. I instantly feel IN Love! I want you to know that although I am probably a bit larger than your normal target I am fully capable and willing to purchase one of your drape/cloak style jackets.
edit: Let me clarify that it was an ig ad and I had no idea it was a knockoff at the time. I paid more than 25 but still felt what I paid was cheap, until I got it in a zaful package and it looked and felt cheap.