Stop the press! Today’s post has been halted to bring you the news of this appalling act of art theft. Diva – the accessory store that so many of my Australian readers, including myself buy from, has done the dirty on Shana Logic, stealing their independent artist’s designs. We all know that the fashion world is rife with “inspiration” pieces and plain old knock offs, but usually those that are doing the copying, are creating “diffusion’ pieces from the bigger labels. Not that that issue makes the behavior any more acceptable, but to steal the work of small independent designers, then mass produce it in your own factories at dirt cheap (read cheap labour) prices, is abhorrent.
Image from the Shana Logic Site
Shana Logic has been a beacon for independant designers to get their work out their at a reasonable price and encourage other budding artists to give it a go. The best course of action is for those of us who like to spend our discretionary accessory money at Diva, is to STOP. Right away. We already knew that their designs were not full of originality or creativity; let’s face it. The fact that they are fast and on trend appeals to our sense of ‘now’ and ‘cheap’. But this is taking it a step too far and I for one will NOT be buying any of these pieces at DIVA, no matter how quickly they can satisfy a craving. I will be showing my support by buying the originals, from the ORIGINAL artists at Shana Logic. And I suggest you do too.
Say NO to Art Theft!
They could have made the effort to change the design a little – instead of those awful rip offs!
I’ll be blogging about this later in the week to be sure! How blatant.
They do it all the time! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw exact copies of the Tarina Tarantino ‘I love you’ and ‘I hate you’ design in there a few months ago. How have they not been sued yet?
This nonsense happens all the time. Consumers who have no idea that these are blatant copies can’t be blamed. Seriously, why hasn’t someone sued. This happens all the time in vintage. And obviously Forever 21 has had it’s share of lash back over their rip offs. But why do people insist on knowingly buying fakes?
oh I started on a rant, but it was too long, I hate this type of behaviour entirely unacceptable!
Boo Hiss! I don’t shop at Diva, but I’ll be encouraging those I know that do to stop.
Thanks for sharing SKM!
Xx
I saw those the other day at Diva and I was sure I’d seen them somewhere before! Mystery solved. Unfortunately it’s not surprising but they’ve lost me as a customer
I believe Tatty Divine has sued them recently…Thanks for bringing this to attention, it can be easy to unwittingly support this hideous behaviour.
I remember reading another blog where the writer had bought a dress and found out that the print was stolen from a person that does shadow art work. The writer contacted the artist and found out that they had been trying to sue the company that had stolen the print, but because it was costing too much, they had to stop the process. Theft is theft, no matter how you look at it. (Great use of the word “abhorrent” btw)
That’s quite blatant is it! Sigh.
My dear friend over at Kimberly Shaw grafics is going through the same issues with her art work and the opposing side has even hired a lawyer!
http://kimberlyshaw.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/06/protecting-my-intellectual-property.html
Her is her latest post on the goings on.
I just tried to go to Diva via your link but got an error 404 message. Hmmmm…
What a shame. Thank you for raising a red flag.
How awful! They should be sued.
I knew Diva was dodgy but this is just ridiculously blatant! It makes me sick that they are not only ripping off designer styles but from independent/non-mainstream designers as well. Ick.
Shame on them!
I read this on your twitter yesterday and feel so sick over it. As an independent jewellery designer myself there is nothing more painful than being undermined by “big business”.
I rarely shop at or even visit Diva unless I’m after something specific, but it’s so disheartening to hear that this company is so blatantly ripping off hard working artists.
Thanks for bravely bring this to our attention!!! It’s so lame when companies unethically steal art for their own financial gain. What’s worse is when lawyers who lie for these people. Thanks again!
Hello, SK MAMA,
I love your blog and your style. When I read this post the other day I was pretty furious because as a costume jewelry designer myself I hate to see this happen and because I LOVE Diva to bits and sparkly bits. Yet, when, the next day, a customer of mine informed it had happened to me I was LIVID. I wish there were more we could do to stop this kind of theft, but sadly, I don’t think there is much that can be done that would not lead to a heap of more headaches.
I was not going to ban Diva until this happened to me. Now I certainly will.
How awful! I’ve actually noticed Diva, and a few other mass production jewellery stores copy people left right and centre. It’s such a shame!
This is why we need to support local talent instead!
Hi there!
Just wanted to thank you for taking the time to write this article– it’s because of people like you that artists have a chance to make a living!
xoxo!
Shana
http://www.shanalogic.com