Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but not, it seems, in the world of online influencing.
A content creator and designer has gone viral after she called out another creator for allegedly copying her jacket design after it was apparently gifted to her.
Diana Lomonaco is the founder of Classic Six and recently launched her Marlene convertible jacket. The design is unique because it features a zip-off section at the bottom, allowing it to convert into a cropped version.
Pic: Diana LoMonaco/Instagram
The sleeves are also removable, which can transform it into a vest.
Diana gifted some creators the army green jacket when she first released it but was seeing red when one of them, Julia McGuire, launched an almost identical style several months later.
‘We gifted an influencer our jacket. Today, five months later, she launched a nearly identical jacket with another brand. As the founder and designer of Classic Six, I put enormous thought, time, and care into every piece we create. Nothing happens overnight,’ she wrote.
Pic: Diana LoMonaco/Instagram
Diana went on to say: ‘… I also believe in giving credit where it’s due and respecting the creative work behind building something from the ground up.
‘As a small brand, we gift pieces to influencers because we believe in their voices, creativity, and the relationships we’re building. We hope they’ll love what we’ve created and share it. We trust there’s mutual respect for the work behind it.
‘So when someone who received and publicly celebrated one of our designs later launches something identical, it raises questions our industry needs to confront.
‘Where’s the line between inspiration and imitation? What responsibility do influencers have to independent brands whose work they encounter through these relationships?
Pic: Diana LoMonaco/Instagram
‘… I’m not suggesting any designer owns a utility jacket or convertible clothing. But there’s a difference between inspiration and reproducing so much of what makes a design recognisable.’
Diana decided that she didn’t want to spend time fighting a legal battle over her design but was clear in calling out Julia over the alleged copycat design with pictures which showed a side-by-side comparison of both jackets.
Another clip shows Julia showing off her gifted jacket online in May and a follow-up of her launching a similar style, which looks to be a lighter shade of green and was created as a collab with Few Moda.
Diana’s post drew thousands of likes and comments from supporters who cheered her on for speaking out. Currently, Julia’s jacket appears to be unavailable on the Few Moda website and does not feature on her social media.
EVOKE reached out to Julia’s team, who reiterated Julia’s statement, saying: ‘I want to take a moment to address the conversations going on right now regarding the olive utility jacket in my recent collaboration.
‘I see the comments/posts and completely understand and acknowledge the frustrations. I’ve worked in different parts of the fashion industry for over 15 years and am continuously inspired by designers, other creators, and brands.
‘This inspiration influences my style, home, and everyday life. When I sat down with my collaboration partner to design this collection, the creative process started entirely from wanting to create a capsule of staple, everyday pieces that fit into my personal style. Taking inspiration from pieces I reach for every day in my closet to what I’ve always wanted to shop for that I couldn’t find.
Influencer Julia McGuire’s statement. Pic: Supplied
‘I’m incredibly humbled by the position I’m in. Integrity and authenticity are extremely important to me. I would never intentionally set out to copy another brand’s work, and I have a great deal of respect for other brands, including @classic.six, which I’ve admired and publicly supported.
‘I’ve always believed in supporting small businesses, especially female-founded brands, and that will always be important to me. I take these conversations seriously and appreciate everyone who has taken the time to share their perspective.’
Julia’s team added that they are looking into the matter and had no further comment to share at this stage.