In a shocking revelation that has rocked the fashion industry, renowned Indian designer Anupama Dayal has discovered that her original designs are being blatantly copied and sold by South American apparel chain Rapsodia.
The Shocking Discovery
On March 10th, Anupama Dayal experienced what would be a nightmare for any creative professional. Three Argentinian women accompanied by an Indian representative visited her studio under the guise of being customers and fans. Something about their behaviour raised suspicions for the designer.
The visitors seemed unusually reluctant to take photos in the studio, which is standard practice for most customers. When questioned about their work, they revealed a connection to Rapsodia, after which they appeared uncomfortable and quickly departed.
Following this encounter, Dayal investigated Rapsodia’s Instagram account and made a horrifying discovery. The South American chain, which operates approximately 90 stores across Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and other countries in the region, has been selling direct copies of her unique designs – without attribution or permission.
The Extent of the Plagiarism
According to Dayal, evidence suggests that Rapsodia has copied more than 12 of her styles, along with accessories, including necklaces and tassels. They’ve even used her distinctive prints for scarves.
What’s particularly disturbing is that this copying appears to have been ongoing for several years, with the Argentinian visitors reportedly making multiple trips to her studio, photographing designs that would later appear in Rapsodia’s collections.
The damage from this unauthorised reproduction and sale of her designs is considered immeasurable by the designer.
About Anupama Dayal
For those unfamiliar with her work, Anupama Dayal is one of India’s most celebrated designers. She was awarded Designer of the Year by Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Female Awards in 2011 and has been recognised internationally by publications like ELLE US and Style.com. Vogue UK described her Autumn/Winter 2008 collection as “easily the prettiest” and called her “London’s new best friend.”
Dayal’s design aesthetic is deeply influenced by her nomadic childhood, which created a high level of cultural osmosis and expression in her. Her work draws inspiration from nature, global nomadic cultures, folklore, and raw beauty from around the world.
Why This Matters
This case highlights the growing problem of design theft in the global fashion industry. While major luxury brands often have the resources to pursue legal action against counterfeiters, independent designers like Dayal can find themselves particularly vulnerable to having their creative work stolen.
In an age where digital images can be shared instantly across the globe, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for designers to protect their intellectual property. This situation is especially concerning when the copying is done by established retail chains with significant distribution power rather than small-scale copycats.
What Happens Next?
As this story continues to develop, many in the fashion community are watching to see what actions Dayal might take against Rapsodia. While international copyright law can be complex and challenging to navigate, exposing these practices is an important first step in holding companies accountable.
For consumers, this serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting authentic design and being aware that what might seem like an affordable international brand could actually be profiting from the stolen creative work of independent designers.
Dayal’s experience is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by creative professionals in protecting their original work in today’s interconnected global marketplace.
