Bfyne is a swimwear brand created by Nigerian-American Buki Ade, and now a representative of the label is accusing Brazilian designer Silvia Ulson of presenting their Spring/Summer 2017 “Shara” collection as her own during Miami Swim Week this past weekend, reports Fashion World Online.
The brand’s media director John Adele said, “during Miami Swim-week … Silvia Ulson featured Bfyne’s SS17 Sahara collection during her show. It comes to us as a surprise as to how another designer is allowed to showcase replicas, and claiming it as her original work during swim week.”
Adele went on to say: “Miami Swim Week is the biggest platform for the swimwear industry in the U.S. It gives swimwear brands a chance to show off their collection, gives brand recognition and endless press opportunities. Designer Silvia Ulson received endless press with Bfyne’s collection; her press images have been published by Getty Images. During the show, the designer without having any idea where the dashiki print originated from blindly referenced the print as an Indian/Native American decent print. … Bfyne is owned by a Nigerian, and of African descent, which is part of our culture, and the Sahara collection was a special collection to us.”
Since the accusations of plagiarism surfaced, Ulson has made her Instagram account private. However, Adele also alleges that he recorded a meeting with the Brazilian designer in Miami where she admitted she didn’t design any of pieces and that they were given to her by someone else.