Design distress for local creator
RETAIL GIANT REPLICATES SHARNA’S PATTERN
THEY’LL (SHEIN) SELL A GARMENT FOR LESS THAN WHAT I BUY IT FOR. HOW MUCH ARE THEY ACTUALLY PAYING THEIR WORKERS AND HOW LONG DO THESE GARMENTS LAST?
SHARNA HUPFELD
A CURRUMBIN Waters fashion designer has been left feeling defeated by a retail giant after it ripped off her design and reproduced it.
Salte Designs owner Sharna Hupfeld used a 1960s teatowel her nana gave her as inspiration to hand draw a design for a clothing range called Soul Garden.
The retro-inspired collection included swimwear, flare pants and a skirt and top set, all of which were replicated and sold for a fraction of the cost by fast-fashion retailer Shein.
Ms Hupfeld said she was heartbroken to see the billiondollar company blatantly rip off her design.
“It’s art and you’re putting yourself out there and I spent all my savings on creating stuff and for someone to just skip that whole step is just wild.
“When these brands do this it’s so painful.”
Shein was contacted by the Bulletin but did not want to want to provide a comment.
Ms Hupfeld said her clothing range was made from ecofriendly fabric and she used 87 per cent recycled plastic for her flares and swimwear.
She said she also produced a limited range to help reduce wastage.
“They’ll (Shein) sell a garment for less than what I buy it for. How much are they actually paying their workers and how long do these garments last?
“Half of their production probably ends up in landfill. It’s heartbreaking.”
The 28-year-old digital media graduate said she contacted every Shein account on Instagram including Shein Australia, however, Shein Thailand was the only one to respond.
A quick search on Instagram revealed 18 official Shein accounts.
Ms Hupfeld said Shein Thailand sent her an email address to contact.
She said found a template for a cease and desist letter which she used and sent it to the company.
“You get told it’s a compliment or it’s flattering and it’s also like you can’t talk about it on your public page because it’s seen as unprofessional.
“But you can’t just sit back and let a billion-dollar company take advantage of you. It’s not OK.
“I’ve been messaging the company every day and I finally found a cease and desist letter and now they’re slowly taking one thing at a time down.
“They have taken down the flare pants and the reversible one piece swimmers, but the skirt and top is still on online in both colours and I’ve noticed they’ve made the flare pants into kids’ ones now.”