It was not one, but two designers out of Australia and New Zealand that have recently claimed that Gucci has blatantly copied their designs with versions of their logos appearing on items like T-shirts and tote bags. This comes just weeks after the Italian based fashion label was accused of copying a jacket originally created by Harlem couturier Dapper Dan.
Photo credit: Hunger TV
This jacket was originally crafted in the 1980s and was ‘recreated’ in Gucci’s 2018 Cruise Collection. It is quite clear that some form of copying is evident here. From the colour to the fur to the overall style of those iconic sleeves, the minimal changes that Gucci have made are certainly not enough to call it an original.
More recently, indie and ‘under the radar’ type logo designers in Australia and New Zealand have now also called out Gucci on the same issue – copyright.
The above logo to the right is that of Milan Chagoury, graphic designer and freelance illustrator for Australian label Stay Bold. The original design was created in 2015 for the White Tiger Tattoo Co. tattoo parlour in Noosa. The artist claimed that he attempted to contact the label for weeks before they responded. Gucci have since stated that they reached out to Stay Bold “without success” in an attempt to collaborate. (I can’t imagine why *eyeroll*) Gucci was even seen to be deleting Instagram comments that were against the label in an attempt to quieten the situation.
Photo Credit: #GucciCruise18 Twitter
Unfortunately, this is an all too familiar feeling for Bali-based New Zealand artist Stuart Smythe who originally designed the logo to the left in 2014 for a CLVL Apparel Co. clothing brand, which has yet to launch. It is quite obvious that the logo is almost an exact match. Smythe even goes as far to lay his design over the Gucci knock-off and said that “the scales even line up perfectly”. Still not convinced? Check out the lightning out of the snake’s mouth and the tiny flake in the top left corner of the letter R of the font. I rest my case.
Overall, it is with the evidence presented here today that we here at FIB find the defendant guilty (sorry Gucci). It is one-hundred percent clear that the label has taken inspiration to a new level by undermining the works of those who design to make a living. The least that the label could have done is asked permission to credit the designer or offered paid collaboration. Or, you know, create your own designs.
For some awesome, copyright-free designs, check out Stay Bold and Stuart Smythe on Instagram.