white designer accused of plagiarizing beloved black swimsuit brand

Miami Swimwear Fashion Week just ended and according to representatives of BFYNE, a black-owned swimwear label created by Nigerian-American designer Buki Ade, their head-turning designs were stolen by renowned Brazilian designer Silvia Ulson and used in their collection and runway presentation. According to the representative, Ulson and co. had received official press releases about Bfyne’s epic collection, not to mention the fact that the company’s one-of-a-kind designs had gone viral. Regardless of those facts, though, the similarities between BFYNE’s older designs and Brazilian designer Silvia Ulson’s collection is uncanny. Throwing headdresses on the heads of her models to further appropriate cultures she clearly doesn’t understand, Ulson attempted to refashion the Nigeria-inspired 2017 collection into one falsely inspired by indigenous American cultures.

These are just a few examples of alleged plagiarism from Silvia Ulson’s show, but what do y’all think? Sketchy as hell?

Um pouquinho do que rolou na primeira noite de #SWM 👙✨. @monicahansenbeachwear 🇳🇴@silviaulson 🇧🇷

A post shared by ʟᴏʀᴇɴᴀ ʙʀᴀɴǫᴜɪɴʜᴏ (@lorenabranquinho) on Jul 13, 2018 at 9:37am PDT

BFYNE SWIMWEAR

Really cool show by @silviaulson last night at opening night for Swim Week 18 @artheartsfashion great presentation of the indigenous people of Brazil in these angelic feathered head pieces mixed with white leather knee high boots and cut out swimsuits printed with tribal patterns and finished with embellishments. Ready for night 2! See you guys there!! #swimweekmiami #openingnight #miamiswimweek2018 #silviaulson #runway #fashionshow #braziliandesigner #featherheaddress #tribal #artheartsfashion #riodejaneirodesigner

A post shared by LUXE ISLE (@luxeisle) on Jul 13, 2018 at 5:40am PDT

You aren't what's happened to you. You are how you've overcome it. 💪🏽 #LimitlessLife . . . . . . . . . #entrepreneur #business #success #entrepreneurship #startup #hustle #money #entrepreneurs #marketing #entrepreneurlife #businesswoman #businessowner #girlboss #wealth #smallbusiness #workfromhome #grind #womeninbusiness #ambition #mindset #startuplife #creative #pictureoftheday #blackgirlmagic #motivation #bfyneswim #bfyne

A post shared by 🇯🇲Day (@dania.bernard) on Dec 16, 2017 at 9:30am PST