Kim Kardashian’s latest controversy has once again thrust her and the Kardashian brand into the spotlight, igniting a storm of criticism and accusations of fashion plagiarism. This time, the accusation comes from British fashion influencer Camille Charriere, who claims that Kardashian’s SKIMS brand blatantly copied one of her designs. The alleged infringement involves a floral t-shirt from SKIMS, priced at $38, which bears a striking resemblance to Charriere’s “Baby Tee,” a design she collaborated on with British lingerie company Stripe & Stare.
Charriere took to social media, specifically X (formerly known as Twitter), to publicly call out Kardashian, expressing her frustration and disappointment. She detailed how the design was a personal project into which she had poured considerable time, effort, and passion. Charriere had even waived her usual fee, motivated by her belief in the brand and its potential to stand out in an industry rife with greenwashing.
The similarities between Kardashian’s Marigold Rose Rib Cotton Tee and Charriere’s Baby Tee are indeed notable, with both featuring floral prints and a ribbed texture. This revelation quickly sparked outrage among fashion enthusiasts and fans, who condemned Kardashian for allegedly stealing another creator’s work for profit. This incident is not an isolated one for the Kardashian-Jenner clan, who have faced numerous claims of intellectual property theft in the past.
The repercussions were swift and severe. The UK imposed a ban on Kardashian and her products, citing concerns over ethical business practices. The backlash extended beyond the UK, leading to a decline in Kardashian’s once loyal fan base. Disillusionment with what many perceive as greed and a lack of originality is growing, further tarnishing the Kardashian brand.
Critics were quick to point out the irony of Kardashian’s actions, considering her previous public stance against fashion piracy. In 2019, she had criticized fast fashion retailer Missguided for replicating a dress she had worn, calling the practice a theft of creative labor. This incident, along with several other accusations of design theft, paints a troubling picture of Kardashian’s business ethics.
The controversy with Charriere is just one in a series of similar allegations against Kardashian. In recent years, she has faced multiple accusations of copying designs from other creators. For instance, she was criticized for a floor-length silky dress with distinctive cutouts, which closely resembled a design from Agent Provocateur. Similarly, her Met Gala appearance in a custom-made Schiaparelli gown made of pearls drew ire from designer Gert-Jan Coetzee, who claimed that Kardashian’s dress was remarkably similar to his design.
The Kardashian-Jenner family, as a whole, has been embroiled in numerous plagiarism scandals. Khloe Kardashian faced a lawsuit over her denim brand Good American, accused of copying bodysuit designs from the designer Destiny Bleu. Kylie Jenner, the youngest of the clan, has also been accused of copying designs for her clothing line, with notable instances involving fashion designer Betsy Johnson and Jessica Johansson-Bell.
These recurring controversies have significantly impacted the Kardashian-Jenner brand’s reputation. As accusations of unoriginality and unethical practices mount, the trust and loyalty of their fan base continue to erode. In an industry where image and originality are paramount, the Kardashian-Jenner empire’s persistent legal battles and allegations of design theft pose a serious threat to their long-term success.
As the fashion world grapples with issues of originality and ethical business practices, the Kardashian-Jenner family’s repeated entanglements in plagiarism controversies highlight the challenges designers face in protecting their creative work. With each new scandal, the call for transparency and accountability in the fashion industry grows louder, demanding a higher standard from even the most influential figures.
