@itsokaytobeunique From the time I started designing I had a list of persons whom I would love to see wear my swimwear and Draya Michele was one of them. On May 28th 2022, while having lunch at a popular beachfront restaurant in Barbados, I recognised a familiar face and drew awareness to the group of friends I was with. Knowing that it was a dream of mine, my friends encouraged me to ask Draya if she would accept a gift from me, which I hesitantly did (because I am shy). While speaking to her, she gave me the details of where she was staying and said I could drop it off at the hotel. Being a designer who does EVERYTHING by hand alone, I didn’t have a bunch of swimsuits I could just grab and give to her. So I went into my studio and made her two swimwear pieces and dropped them off at her hotel just before midnight. The next day she posted images of the swimwear and tagged my business page, which I was grateful for. Fast forward to 2024. Draya has now mass produced a swimsuit by the name of “Kiki” under her branding “Mintswim” which is an exact replica of the swimsuit I gifted her. No, not as a collaboration but as a “new” piece for her 2024 collection. As a small business owner this is beyond hurtful, for several reasons. Every single swimsuit my clients have received is handcrafted by myself. I do not have the finances or resources at this stage to mass produce at the level she and other fast fashion brands who have stolen my designs in the past have. She did not even reach out and suggest a collaboration. Some of you may see absolutely nothing wrong with this. But this is literally my bread and butter. This is how I make my living. This is not a post to “shame” her but to draw awareness to the impact actions like this have on the “small man”. I am tired of feeling like I’m not doing something right because I’m not further in my career to then see someone replicate my swimsuits, sell it cheaper and make it readily available for the masses. Can we as women uplift each other when there is an opportunity to do so instead of intentionally / unintentionally tearing each other down? Support other women who are trying to get ahead… she did a solid with her post and the recognition but does not allow anyone the right to steal someone’s intellectual property. #storytime #designer #smallbusiness #bajan #caribbean #influencer #barbados #drayamichele ♬ original sound - Nique💎
Draya set the record straight after catching wind of the allegations.
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