KTZ Apologises for Copied Garment
by Adriano Batista
There’s a constantly plagiarism/inspiration going on in the fashion world. What is very rare is to see an apologise after doing it. And KTZ just did it.
The London-based brand wrote a letter to the Inuit great-granddaughter of a shaman, after being accused of “stealing” his design.
“They must have seen it and copied it. They even called the clothing Shaman… My great-grandfather was a very powerful and respected man and he has been used and violated. It was disgusting to see a sacred design used as a sweater… We are a proud people and our ancestors and traditions are very important to us. The way they have taken and degraded this design is unacceptable.” – Awa told The Evening Standard
This is not the first time KTZ has been criticized for using indigenous designs. The brand has “always been inspired by and paid homage to indigenous cultures and tribes around the world” and that it’s part of their DNA to “celebrate multiculturalism as a form of art and to encourage appreciation for traditions, ethnicities and religions’ diversity“.
For Awa, the apology was “bittersweet.” “I’m kind of happy about it but sad at the same time. They didn’t even mention an apology to my great-grandfather and they didn’t even offer any monetary gains to our family.”
Here is the full letter:
Dear Salome
Thank you so much for contacting us and for giving us a chance to express our point of view.
Over the last 20 years KTZ has always been inspired by and paid homage to indigenous cultures and tribes around the world.
It’s part of KTZ’s DNA to celebrate multiculturalism as a form of art and to encourage appreciation for traditions, ethnicities and religions’ diversity.
At the time the piece in question was released (January 2015) the Inuit community was credited in our press release and online features, for example http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-menswear/ktz
KTZ is a very small UK based company – with a team counting less than 15 people employed across the globe and with ethnic backgrounds ranging from Macedonian, Greek, Portuguese, Polish, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Nigerian, Chinese and Indonesian. Our work is never intended to offend any community or religion.
We sincerely apologise to you and anyone who felt offended by our work as it certainly wasn’t our intention.
We have already removed the item from sale online and will remove the item in question from our stores.
Kindest regards
KTZ
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