Thoughts on a brand copying my work (again). Free post because I wish someone had been this transparent when I was in my 20s navigating the sharky waters of Manhattan.
First just want to start by saying that I'm a huge fan of your style, writing, career in general. If you went through our DMs I've probably asked you endless questions about the things you wear. I also LOVE your bracelet you made with Kimai. I wanted to buy it for myself ( a little out of my price range *cries* ) but linked it in a newsletter for my audience several months ago. I love your balance of luxury and everyday. Not everyone can do that well.
When you launched your string bracelet, it reminded me of the ones with the single diamond bezel on Etsy. Zoe Chicco makes one. Sydney Evan too. I think a few more.. The Dorsey bracelet does look extremely similar to yours. In their eyes I'd assume they are taking something they already make, a diamond bezel tennis necklace and bracelet, and mixing it with arguably one of the biggest summer trends since Miu Miu SS24 runway- the cord. A version of that cord sandal is now all over the internet from different brands. Sara Beltran also does a lot of cord jewelry with diamonds and shells that are so chic!
I guess I struggle in this industry with where we draw the line? Inspiration always draws from somewhere. I popular LA brand recently blatantly ripped off my work. They have no inside creative team, and don't hire freelancers. Instead the designer and her marketing girl (both follow me) do the creative. I'd gladly work with them so it's extremely frustrating. I completely understand your thought process and why you're upset- it's valid. I'm just not sure how we prevent things like this from happening with the internet? Original thought is on the decline, and our ideas are out there for the taking, with no solid way to protect them ( esp for us small creatives!). Dorsey could argue they mixed a classic of theirs with a huge summer trend. Anyways, this is just where my brain goes... I don't know what the answer is.
It's really good, I saw it when Leandra posted it the other day!
My intention behind mentioning the Zoe Chicco and Sydney Evan Bracelets ( in your video response you said you didn't care to look up, which is totally fine ) is that your execution is nearly the same as theirs but with more bezels. And I don't mean it as a dig- my best friend is a jeweler and there's only so many ways you can reinvent the wheel with jewelry clasps, setting diamonds, etc. I just think this is the nature of creating in a time when things live on the internet. Similar designs, concepts, and execution will inevitably show up. And when they do, are we owed an explanation or proof of concept? And would getting that make it less annoying?
Being copied is such an icky feeling, but it happens to people who produce original creativity. I’m sorry but also i admire you for how you responded with elegance and dignity. Will refer back to this post in the future
I loved the Dorsey paracord until I read this post. When you have strong capacity for originality, it's inevitable that you will be copied, Bravo on speaking out. Your NB sneakers are somewhere on my are.na but the dorsey paracord bracelet will now be removed. I find it admirable that you express all this and go deeply into the issue ethically and emotionally. You did the right thing. I love your work.
In a world increasingly hollowed out by the lack of integrity, your words offer a rare kind of oxygen. Grateful to read you , a quiet dose of hope ;)) tysm
Wow. I’m stunned! I’ve followed both of you for a while, and this reflects so poorly on Meghan, especially since Dorsey is essentially an ode to matriarchy and was inspired by her grandmother. One thing I will say is the audacity is shocking. When it comes to creativity, this kind of thing has been an issue long before people started curating in public, even at the highest levels of design. It’s one thing to be inspired, I’m inspired all the time, but it’s quite another to copy. I’m glad you’re speaking up!
It’s pretty crazy how similar the two are for her not to even be able to discuss the inspiration behind the bracelet. Even the styling of the bracelet in the photo, the angle of the shot is identical.
WOW. As you graciously and professionally said, there were so many other, better ways for her to respond! ok and the 11 opens, that is really telling as well.
I’ve run a creative / freelancer / photography business for 6 years now and this spoke to me in multitudes. I loved it so much, thank you, and I’m sorry you had to experience this (again)! I’d love to hear more about your perspective of setting boundaries and feel so many of us could benefit from it. This creative world is a tricky dance.
Juliana, I find this conversation endlessly interesting. It reminds me of that scene from The Devil Wears Prada where Miranda schools AH on the trickling down effect of fashion influences. I, too, have found myself in the crosshairs of trying to establish boundaries of my creative IP. I work more in the architectural/design space and I see so many exact copycats from "high-end" residential interior designers. I had someone who I saw as a mentor try to ask for a curated moodboard of a landscape garden I had created, for free --- people pay money for creative ideas in all sorts of spaces. I felt more than irked. I was shocked that another creative was trying to take advantage of our connection. This is one reason I removed my presence from Instagram last Oct. This is also part of a larger conversation. It's about regaining thought agency. It's about valuing our thinking capacity. It sounds like you understand your value and will end up with collaborations that sync with your ehtics. Thank you for sharing.
Interesting to also see this pop up today too --the maker of Chips Ahoy, filed a lawsuit against Aldi in the federal court. Mondelez, which also makes Oreos, Nutter Butters, and Wheat Thins, claims that Aldi's store-brand packaging for cookies and crackers "blatantly copies" its brands. The lawsuit alleges that Aldi's packaging is "likely to deceive and confuse customers" and that it threatens to "irreparably harm" Mondelez and its brands. Mondelez is seeking monetary damages and a court order to stop Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks. Different industry. Diffierent legal standard. It's so loose in the fashion industry yet it is a trillion dollar industry. A good attorney might argue that Juliana Salazar is a brand with a unique portfolio of IP products and with the prolifertion of copy cats it could deceive and confuse customers and threaten future harm. ;)
This is such a challenging position to be in creatively. Over the years I’ve seen more and more credence being offered to people who are “seen” publicly and on social media. Credibility is assured through followers. Being offline visually is challenging w/o being a referral first company, then even still everyone is googling everyone else.
Such important conversations to be having from every and in every direction. Thanks for sharing. I would be very interested in hearing more about setting up boundaries in creative working relationships (i find this incredibly tricky and end up withdrawing instead of levelling up of that makes sense…) cheers e
This is a bad look for you, both personally and professionally.
First, everyone has the same idea at the same time all the time - TV shows, music, books, clothing, cars, jewelry, etc. And it's not because everyone is copying one another. It's because of trends. Trends are the sum of many similar ideas, and those trends either consciously or unconsciously inform creativity. The reality is your idea is similar to dozens of ideas that dozens of other designers also organically had, because they were inspired by the same visual trend.
The difference between you and all of those other designers is that they are looking forward and generating new ideas.
You are stuck in the past, and you are lashing out because you found a thing that looks like your thing. You see a trend that makes you feel like the world has stolen your idea. If you're a true designer, your job is to have ideas at a rapid pace and execute on those ideas. Your job is to look forward, and you are failing at that job, and it's made you bitter and angry, and what do people do when they're bitter and angry? They lash out at people who are more successful.
I write satire, and I have a small following on here and on Instagram. There are several meme creators who have hundreds of thousands of followers, and when I see one of their posts that looks like something I wrote last week or last year, I wonder for a moment if they’re copying me, and I get frustrated. But then I realize how very small I am in the universe, and how very cheap ideas are, and how unlikely it is that some mega famous comedian has literally ever seen a single thing I've written or even knows I exist (sound familiar?). What do I do next? I f#cking write new material, because that is my job as a creative person.
As hard as it is not to dwell on that one great idea (which I do allllll the time as a writer), I suggest you do your job and look down at your sketch book and create rather than look up at big companies and claim theft. The only person who is stealing from you is yourself. You are stealing energy and time away from yourself that you could be investing in creating something new. So go do that. I'm sending you creative energy and good wishes.
If you read our exchange you would see that I am aware that people have similar ideas at similar times. I love how Elizabeth Gilbert talks about this occurrence in "the big magic." If this were the case in this instance Megan would have gladly shared with me her references or even just her thinking behind "her" design.
You clearly don't know me at all to say that I am stuck in the past or by interpreting this as a "lash out" while also clearly not understanding my level of success in this industry so I have stopped reading the rest of your message. Best of luck to you
Good Morning, I agree that this is a bad look, immature to air your grievance so to speak. Her reply is harsh but means well I believe. I also agree that trend is a trend and EVERYONE did cords and metal in the last few years in some way and as soon as those hideous sandals from MiuMiu hit the deck paracord spread like wild fire. Even hardware stores and boat supply sales were up for the DIY set. I see the Dorsey as a natural migration of their designs colliding. Take the bone cuff and beans from Elsa Peretti, (RIP) Tiffany did an anniversary and blurted them all over substack and instagram and now you can buy a version at H&M. Imitation is flattery my mother always told me as my single white female friends continued to buy what I did. I too extend my good wishes for continued success, with your signature item and what comes next.
First just want to start by saying that I'm a huge fan of your style, writing, career in general. If you went through our DMs I've probably asked you endless questions about the things you wear. I also LOVE your bracelet you made with Kimai. I wanted to buy it for myself ( a little out of my price range *cries* ) but linked it in a newsletter for my audience several months ago. I love your balance of luxury and everyday. Not everyone can do that well.
When you launched your string bracelet, it reminded me of the ones with the single diamond bezel on Etsy. Zoe Chicco makes one. Sydney Evan too. I think a few more.. The Dorsey bracelet does look extremely similar to yours. In their eyes I'd assume they are taking something they already make, a diamond bezel tennis necklace and bracelet, and mixing it with arguably one of the biggest summer trends since Miu Miu SS24 runway- the cord. A version of that cord sandal is now all over the internet from different brands. Sara Beltran also does a lot of cord jewelry with diamonds and shells that are so chic!
I guess I struggle in this industry with where we draw the line? Inspiration always draws from somewhere. I popular LA brand recently blatantly ripped off my work. They have no inside creative team, and don't hire freelancers. Instead the designer and her marketing girl (both follow me) do the creative. I'd gladly work with them so it's extremely frustrating. I completely understand your thought process and why you're upset- it's valid. I'm just not sure how we prevent things like this from happening with the internet? Original thought is on the decline, and our ideas are out there for the taking, with no solid way to protect them ( esp for us small creatives!). Dorsey could argue they mixed a classic of theirs with a huge summer trend. Anyways, this is just where my brain goes... I don't know what the answer is.
Just wanted to share this perfect example of a similar design in concept (diamonds + string) but totally different execution!
https://aflalonyc.com/products/the-racket-string-bracelet?variant=49740998082807&utm_source=ShopMy&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Cafe+Leandra&utm_content=Quick+Link&utm_referrer=substack.com&smsclickid=09cd27da-048c-4a24-b1ff-1ccad8076ee7
It's really good, I saw it when Leandra posted it the other day!
My intention behind mentioning the Zoe Chicco and Sydney Evan Bracelets ( in your video response you said you didn't care to look up, which is totally fine ) is that your execution is nearly the same as theirs but with more bezels. And I don't mean it as a dig- my best friend is a jeweler and there's only so many ways you can reinvent the wheel with jewelry clasps, setting diamonds, etc. I just think this is the nature of creating in a time when things live on the internet. Similar designs, concepts, and execution will inevitably show up. And when they do, are we owed an explanation or proof of concept? And would getting that make it less annoying?
https://www.sydneyevan.com/products/gold-diamond-fluted-cord-bracelet?variant=39868006072392&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=gg&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Performance_Max&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=19720873623&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19720874817&gbraid=0AAAAADqO-h-wF2PuSt3DQ1LIgXov4dYnj&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmK_CBhCEARIsAMKwcD6OeQ2M5zRgWmUeFRlkZsngg8xBXw4Ie8LW1FtG45owJ1Dy8XAUdfUaArAjEALw_wcB
https://zoechicco.com/products/14k-gold-floating-diamond-solitaire-silk-cord-bracelet?variant=43210107519152&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=18286364799&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17747314979&gbraid=0AAAAAC48CeUtKEUFayM4CvPAeHUMD89Y9&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmK_CBhCEARIsAMKwcD4amZnHCb4smgTgx3L6cG9PQE2Hub9mf3mcvrj5iT-1dtZnTlxanT0aApjiEALw_wcB
https://www.farfetch.com/shopping/men/mateo-14k-yellow-gold-dot-diamond-bracelet-item-28292047.aspx?lang=en-US&fsb=1&size=17&storeid=13259&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_keywordid=&utm_shoppingproductid=28292047-17&pid=google_search&af_channel=Search&c=2069920048&af_c_id=2069920048&af_siteid=&af_keywords=pla-296928933003&af_adset_id=75217628294&af_ad_id=204345266632&af_sub1=&af_sub5=28292047-17&is_retargeting=true&shopping=yes&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2069920048&gbraid=0AAAAADsmKHR0MU-N68By1ymxy0jrm9Zhg&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmK_CBhCEARIsAMKwcD4l1tP1Bv9qcsSXNVfoW9oEMvQYj_1qlEBP944eU2X31zGw_RFfZTgaAhwfEALw_wcB
Wow guys! Thank you for all the responses and kind words <3 Getting to all of your questions soon
Being copied is such an icky feeling, but it happens to people who produce original creativity. I’m sorry but also i admire you for how you responded with elegance and dignity. Will refer back to this post in the future
I loved the Dorsey paracord until I read this post. When you have strong capacity for originality, it's inevitable that you will be copied, Bravo on speaking out. Your NB sneakers are somewhere on my are.na but the dorsey paracord bracelet will now be removed. I find it admirable that you express all this and go deeply into the issue ethically and emotionally. You did the right thing. I love your work.
In a world increasingly hollowed out by the lack of integrity, your words offer a rare kind of oxygen. Grateful to read you , a quiet dose of hope ;)) tysm
Really gorgeously written, well articulated and profound! Grateful for you sharing your wisdom <3
Wow. I’m stunned! I’ve followed both of you for a while, and this reflects so poorly on Meghan, especially since Dorsey is essentially an ode to matriarchy and was inspired by her grandmother. One thing I will say is the audacity is shocking. When it comes to creativity, this kind of thing has been an issue long before people started curating in public, even at the highest levels of design. It’s one thing to be inspired, I’m inspired all the time, but it’s quite another to copy. I’m glad you’re speaking up!
Ate this up! Wildly important and so well written—thank you!
It’s pretty crazy how similar the two are for her not to even be able to discuss the inspiration behind the bracelet. Even the styling of the bracelet in the photo, the angle of the shot is identical.
In case you’re wondering if this is still resonating the acting against nature pic slapped me in the face today. So needed
WOW. As you graciously and professionally said, there were so many other, better ways for her to respond! ok and the 11 opens, that is really telling as well.
You are bold and strong! this is a huge service to all of us. Thank you for stepping up like this.
I’ve run a creative / freelancer / photography business for 6 years now and this spoke to me in multitudes. I loved it so much, thank you, and I’m sorry you had to experience this (again)! I’d love to hear more about your perspective of setting boundaries and feel so many of us could benefit from it. This creative world is a tricky dance.
PS. Will be rocking your ASICS all summer ⚡️
Juliana, I find this conversation endlessly interesting. It reminds me of that scene from The Devil Wears Prada where Miranda schools AH on the trickling down effect of fashion influences. I, too, have found myself in the crosshairs of trying to establish boundaries of my creative IP. I work more in the architectural/design space and I see so many exact copycats from "high-end" residential interior designers. I had someone who I saw as a mentor try to ask for a curated moodboard of a landscape garden I had created, for free --- people pay money for creative ideas in all sorts of spaces. I felt more than irked. I was shocked that another creative was trying to take advantage of our connection. This is one reason I removed my presence from Instagram last Oct. This is also part of a larger conversation. It's about regaining thought agency. It's about valuing our thinking capacity. It sounds like you understand your value and will end up with collaborations that sync with your ehtics. Thank you for sharing.
Interesting to also see this pop up today too --the maker of Chips Ahoy, filed a lawsuit against Aldi in the federal court. Mondelez, which also makes Oreos, Nutter Butters, and Wheat Thins, claims that Aldi's store-brand packaging for cookies and crackers "blatantly copies" its brands. The lawsuit alleges that Aldi's packaging is "likely to deceive and confuse customers" and that it threatens to "irreparably harm" Mondelez and its brands. Mondelez is seeking monetary damages and a court order to stop Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks. Different industry. Diffierent legal standard. It's so loose in the fashion industry yet it is a trillion dollar industry. A good attorney might argue that Juliana Salazar is a brand with a unique portfolio of IP products and with the prolifertion of copy cats it could deceive and confuse customers and threaten future harm. ;)
This is such a challenging position to be in creatively. Over the years I’ve seen more and more credence being offered to people who are “seen” publicly and on social media. Credibility is assured through followers. Being offline visually is challenging w/o being a referral first company, then even still everyone is googling everyone else.
Such important conversations to be having from every and in every direction. Thanks for sharing. I would be very interested in hearing more about setting up boundaries in creative working relationships (i find this incredibly tricky and end up withdrawing instead of levelling up of that makes sense…) cheers e
This is a bad look for you, both personally and professionally.
First, everyone has the same idea at the same time all the time - TV shows, music, books, clothing, cars, jewelry, etc. And it's not because everyone is copying one another. It's because of trends. Trends are the sum of many similar ideas, and those trends either consciously or unconsciously inform creativity. The reality is your idea is similar to dozens of ideas that dozens of other designers also organically had, because they were inspired by the same visual trend.
The difference between you and all of those other designers is that they are looking forward and generating new ideas.
You are stuck in the past, and you are lashing out because you found a thing that looks like your thing. You see a trend that makes you feel like the world has stolen your idea. If you're a true designer, your job is to have ideas at a rapid pace and execute on those ideas. Your job is to look forward, and you are failing at that job, and it's made you bitter and angry, and what do people do when they're bitter and angry? They lash out at people who are more successful.
I write satire, and I have a small following on here and on Instagram. There are several meme creators who have hundreds of thousands of followers, and when I see one of their posts that looks like something I wrote last week or last year, I wonder for a moment if they’re copying me, and I get frustrated. But then I realize how very small I am in the universe, and how very cheap ideas are, and how unlikely it is that some mega famous comedian has literally ever seen a single thing I've written or even knows I exist (sound familiar?). What do I do next? I f#cking write new material, because that is my job as a creative person.
As hard as it is not to dwell on that one great idea (which I do allllll the time as a writer), I suggest you do your job and look down at your sketch book and create rather than look up at big companies and claim theft. The only person who is stealing from you is yourself. You are stealing energy and time away from yourself that you could be investing in creating something new. So go do that. I'm sending you creative energy and good wishes.
Wow you really misunderstood this whole thing.
If you read our exchange you would see that I am aware that people have similar ideas at similar times. I love how Elizabeth Gilbert talks about this occurrence in "the big magic." If this were the case in this instance Megan would have gladly shared with me her references or even just her thinking behind "her" design.
You clearly don't know me at all to say that I am stuck in the past or by interpreting this as a "lash out" while also clearly not understanding my level of success in this industry so I have stopped reading the rest of your message. Best of luck to you
Good Morning, I agree that this is a bad look, immature to air your grievance so to speak. Her reply is harsh but means well I believe. I also agree that trend is a trend and EVERYONE did cords and metal in the last few years in some way and as soon as those hideous sandals from MiuMiu hit the deck paracord spread like wild fire. Even hardware stores and boat supply sales were up for the DIY set. I see the Dorsey as a natural migration of their designs colliding. Take the bone cuff and beans from Elsa Peretti, (RIP) Tiffany did an anniversary and blurted them all over substack and instagram and now you can buy a version at H&M. Imitation is flattery my mother always told me as my single white female friends continued to buy what I did. I too extend my good wishes for continued success, with your signature item and what comes next.