Paul Smith Hijacks Flickr Image for High-Priced T-Shirt
October 27, 2008
Though it’s far from uncommon, it’s always upsetting to discover a fashion designer has ripped of another designer’s work -- or the fruits of an artists’ labor without paying credit where credit is due. Such is the case with a T-shirt currently stocked at Paul Smith. Jason Kottke (of the namesake blog) published an excerpt of a post from San Francisco-based blogger and designer Robert Hodgin this morning. It turns out, following a recent visit to Paul Smith in New York, Hodgin discovered that an original image he had uploaded to Flickr had been turned into a T-shirt for the British-born fashion designer, unbeknownst to Hodgin.
In his post, Hodgin provides ample evidence that the image was absolutely lifted. Fortunately, he likewise maintains a sense of humor about the bold graphic plagiarism, going so far as to sport the T-shirt himself. But, fact is, the fashion house owes him an apology. Or, better yet, a portion of the profits earned from sales of T-shirt that costs a cool $235.
Comments (3)
Posted by Alexander on Tue Nov 4, 2008 at 10.23 am
I always wonder if artists have latent, almost subconscious inspiration for things. Clearly the images are similar and there is a clear duplication of one pattern. I had a similar conversation this weekend about “The Dark Side of Oz” where Roger Watters has stated that there was no deliberate synchronization of Dark Side of the Moon and the Wizard of Oz. I wonder if there is latent patterning with artists that although not deliberate, seems obvious.
Posted by Constance on Tue Nov 4, 2008 at 02.03 pm
Unfortunately Paul Smith isn’t alone. Another certain designer, whose name may or may not rhyme with Barf Jacobs, has been known to steal the designs --stitch for stitch-- from the portfolios of more than a few naive young designers whom they claimed to be interviewing for their design team. He then has the audacity to blast other designers for taking ideas from his ripped-off and overpriced pieces! Boycott these a-holes.
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Posted by Rizzo on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 04.29 pm
It’s worth every penny of $235. Right?