Gucci defends against plagiarism claims
Two graphic designers are separately accusing the house of copying their designs
By Amy de Klerk
Gucci has once again been forced to respond to allegations that it has stolen another artist's work. Following criticism that its cruise 2018 collection ripped off Dapper Dan (a spokesperson later said it was a "homage" to his work) and accusations that the house's alien video series was similar to a Central Saint Martins student's designs, the brand is now being accused of copying the logo of two separate graphic designers.
Stuart Smythe, a Bali-based New Zealand artist, says that the snake artwork shown on T-shirts in Gucci's cruise 2018 show is a copy of a logo he created in 2014 for his clothing brand, WWD reports. Although the design is flipped, the artist contends that the snake features a number of identical features to his design, including the same scales, lightning bolts and small white spot on the letter 'R'.
In addition to this accusation, Milan Chagoury – who works under the name Stay Bold – says that a tote bag in the collection features a logo he designed in 2015 for the White Tiger Tattoo Company in Australia.
A post shared by Milan Chagoury (@staybold)
In a close-up photo of the tote that Gucci posted on Instagram, nearly 300 comments accuse Gucci of copying Stay Bold.
A post shared by Gucci Official (@gucci)
A spokesperson for Gucci explained the situation from their side to WWD in the following statement:
"The Gucci cruise 2018 collection saw a continuation of Alessandro Michele's exploration of faux-real culture with a series of pieces playing on the Gucci logo, under the themes of 'Guccification' and 'Guccify Yourself'.
"A creative exchange with street-style and street vernacular using graphics and words that have been 'Guccified'. In the last two-and-a-half years Gucci has defined itself through a series of creative collaborations that have arisen organically, symbolising a generational shift. Also in this instance, we are now in direct contact with the respective talents."
Michele previously addressed plagiarism claims, denying that he has ever replicated anyone else's work, saying; "it's something that makes me feel really sad".
"It's not true," he told The Business of Fashion. "People build a story around nothing."
Both Smythe and Chagoury now claim to have been contacted by Gucci, who has offered them the possibility of a future collaboration. This offer, according to Chagoury, was conditional upon signing a confidentiality agreement, but both artists have declined.
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