Zara Accused of Plagiarism Over Melania Trump Jacket
It was a controversial choice of jacket for US First Lady, Melania Trump, to wear for a visit to a detention centre in Texas where she visited migrant children.
Her unannounced visit was designed to quell some of the criticism of her husband’s widely condemned policy of separating migrant children from their parents at the US border. The jacket bore the now infamous slogan “I Really Don’t Care, Do U?” and has caused many commentators to question her motive behind wearing the Zara item.
Melania’s spokesperson, Stephanie Grisham, was forced to issue a statement dismissing the furore by saying, “It’s a jacket. There was no hidden message. After today’s important visit to Texas, I hope the media isn’t going to choose to focus on her wardrobe”.
While the heat may be dying down for Melania regarding the jacket, it’s designers, Zara, are feeling some heat of their own. According to an article in Harpers Bazaar, US denim brand R13, have accused the chain of stealing their design.
Reports are circulating that R13 have sent an email to Zara pointing out similarities between one of their designs and the jacket that the First Lady wore.
It is unlikely that R13’s accusation that Zara “found inspiration” from their design will come to much as Zara have pointed out that their offering debuted in their Spring/Summer 2016 collection while R13 didn’t unveil their version of the khaki parka-style jacket until September 2016.
True fashionistas were quick to add fuel to the controversy by highlighting that both Zara’s and R13’s jackets bore a remarkable similarity to one modelled by the iconic Kate Moss as far back as 2002!
Celebrities and designers alike have been taking to twitter in their droves to comment on the issue – many sharing photographs of their own take on the controversial jacket. So while commentators will continue to criticise FLOTUS for her choice of attire during such a sensitive visit, it looks like Zara will suffer nothing worse than a surge in sales as customers worldwide rush online to secure one for themselves.
The bad news for fans of the jacket is that it is no longer available in Zara stores or online. A quick search of online auction sites however, reveal many options to buy the jacket for as much as 10 times it’s original cost. Proof, if any was needed, that the old saying “no publicity is bad publicity” certainly applies here!
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