Fast-rising Ghanaian designer Edzodzinam, the creative force behind BLOOM by EDZI, has come forward with serious allegations of plagiarism against South African designers, La Jaqueta and model, Shai Lethabo.
The accusation has sparked a heated debate within the African fashion community, shedding light on the issue of intellectual property rights and creativity in the industry.
As the creative director of BLOOM by EDZI, a Ghanaian-based ready-to-wear brand that is passionately dedicated to women’s empowerment, Edzodzinam poured her heart and soul into crafting a unique outfit for her collection.
However, her excitement and pride turned to dismay when she noticed striking similarities between her creation and the designs showcased by La Jaqueta and Shai Lethabo at the Barbie Premiere in South Africa.
“It is very heart-wrenching when you put in so much effort in creating something, and you see another designer copy your designs exactly as it is,” expressed Edzodzinam in a heartfelt social media post.
She continued, “Copying my work and claiming it to be theirs is not a great thing to do as creators and designers. Copying something exactly from another designer is a little bit sterile and uninventive, and it jeopardizes my work and the growth of the African Fashion Industry.”
Plagiarism in the fashion industry is a contentious issue that can have severe consequences for designers, both creatively and financially.
For Edzodzinam, this incident goes beyond mere inspiration and strikes at the core of her artistic integrity.
“Copying something exactly from another designer is a little bit sterile and uninventive and it jeopardizes my work and this is not the best thing to do as a designer and a creative if we want to grow the African Fashion Industry,” she added.
According to the designer, copying another woman’s work is unacceptable and urged her fellow designers to respect one another’s originality.
Edzodzinam’s call to “do the needful” comes from a place of seeking fairness and recognition for the creativity and hard work that goes into each designer’s work.
In an industry that thrives on diversity and individuality, protecting intellectual property rights is essential to fostering innovation and growth.
The allegations have sparked debates and discussions within the African fashion community, with many industry stakeholders voicing their support for Edzodzinam and her quest for acknowledgement and respect.
Calls for greater vigilance in identifying and addressing plagiarism have been echoed by designers, fashion enthusiasts, and consumers alike.
As this situation unfolds, there is hope that it will serve as a wake-up call for the African fashion industry to collectively address issues of intellectual property rights, creative ownership, and fair competition.
The African fashion industry has been on an upward trajectory, gaining international recognition for its unique aesthetics and cultural representation.
Nurturing an environment that fosters originality and celebrates individual voices is key to sustaining this growth.
3XTRA TV reached out to both La Jaqueta and Shai Lethabo for comments on the allegations made by Bloom by Edzi, but they have yet to respond.
As the African fashion community grapples with the complexities of plagiarism and creative ownership, Edzodzinam’s courage to speak up serves as a reminder that protecting one’s artistic vision is a shared responsibility—one that ultimately benefits the entire industry.
@bloombyedzi BLOOM by EDZI is a Ghanaian based sustainable RTW brand and we believe in women empowerment. Sometimes it’s very heart wrenching when you put in so much effort in creating something and see another designer copy your designs exactly as it is. @la_jaqueta @shai_lethabo I respect your hustle however copying my work and claiming it to be yours is not a great thing to do as a creator and designer. Copying something exactly from another designer is a little bit sterile and uninventive and it jeopardizes my work and this is not the best thing to do as a designer and a creative if we want to grow the Africa Fashion Industry @BellaNaija Style At BLOOM by EDZI we believe and support women empowerment, we make clothes for the contemporary woman who to boost confidence. Copying another woman’s hard work is just not acceptable!!! DO BETTER!!!! . #bloombyedzi #thepanthaven #barbie #africandesigner #ghanaiandesigner