South African designer takes on Zara over socks

A South Africa-based designer has accused Zara of copying one of his “signature” patterns and using the design on socks.

Designer Laduma Ngxokolo, the founder of Maxhosa by Laduma, said that Zara’s sock range resembles the Khanyisa cardigan, which was launched in March 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg in Johannesburg.

According to a blog post from the designer, Zara ran the socks in its best-sellers section on the online store and the socks have been spotted at Zara outlets in the UK, New York and South Africa.

Ngxokolo has consulted with Africa-based Moore Attorneys, which has sent a letter to Zara alerting the company of the copyright infringement and Ngxokolo’s demands.

“We have taken such steps so as to avoid our works being appropriated and adapted without our consent or permission. Copyright infringement is a matter that we take seriously and fully aware of our IP rights,” said the post.

Proudly South African—the country’s “Buy Local” campaign—slated the retailer in a Twitter post.

“Proudly South African has noted with dismay the unauthorised replication by Spanish retailer Zara of one of our brightest fashion design star’s work,” it said.

Inditex, the parent company of Zara, said that it has the “utmost respect” for individual creativity and takes all claims concerning third party IP rights very seriously.

“As a preventive action, the process to immediately remove this item both from stores and online was activated at the moment this situation was brought to our attention,” said the spokesperson.

Inditex has begun an internal investigation and will be in contact with MaXhosa’s representatives to “clarify and resolve the situation as swiftly as possible”.

Source: WIPR website

Editor: dora