From Rahul Mishra to Azzedine Alaïa, 5 fashion designers of the world who've been widely duplicated

Imitation, they say, is the sincerest form of flattery. While that be one way to look at it, the sentiment doesn't necessarily translate positively in the design world. Celebrated designers of the world, who shape trends with their artistry, can sometimes find their creations reimagined; or even duplicated by fast-fashion giants, local boutiques, and luxury contemporaries. Whether it is their iconic motifs which have appeared on countless catwalks or embellishments that became visual signatures, some of their designs from all over the world have transcended runways and reappeared in countless imitations across the globe. While it makes apparent their influence in the field, it can venture into territory with legal precedents. Take Rahul Mishra's recent victory passed by the the Hon’ble Delhi High Court to stop replicas or Shein frequently facing lawsuits from independent creators like Chrome Hearts and MaisonCléo for their identical creations.

Here's a look at 5 designers from India and the world whose body of work has been famously duplicated.

1. Rahul Mishra

Rahul Mishra, the first Indian designer to be invited to showcase at the Paris Haute Couture Week and the winner of 2014's International Woolmark Prize, recently received relief from the Delhi High Court after his iconic 'Tigress' artwork and floral motifs from the Sunderbans collection were being blatantly copied and even worn by Kapil Sharma, Orry and Badshah. The court issued an injunction against multiple parties, noting that these knock-offs not only damage his brand but also hurt the livelihoods of over 2,000 artisans working in his ateliers. The replicas outfits were found to be near-identical machine-made replicas of Mishra’s painstakingly hand-embroidered originals. The Hon’ble High Court pronounced that incorporating the Tigress Artistic Work with surrounding floral motifs and embroidery patterns identical to those created by Rahul Mishra, would cause confusion in the mind of general public as to the source of such unauthorised duplications. After the hearing granting ad-interim injunction in his favour, Rahul Mishra said, "This fight is about more than fabric — it’s about preserving the dignity of handcraft, protecting livelihoods, and safeguarding the creative spirit that makes Indian fashion respected worldwide.”

2. Azzedine Alaïa

Azzedine Alaïa was renowned for sculpting the female form with precision tailoring, and body-hugging knit dresses which became revolutionary in the 1980s and 90s. They are also among the most copied in fashion history. Replicas were spotted in troves but even luxury designers; including Roberto Cavalli and Hervé Léger, weren’t immune to borrowing from his vision. The famous “bandage dress" by Léger may have been popularised by him but was heavily inspired by Alaïa’s body-conscious creations. In a 2016 WWD interview, Azzedine said, "When designers appropriate ideas from others and journalists don’t say anything at all, it’s not right. For example, this season with Roberto Cavalli, it’s incredible and journalists, nobody, has noticed a direct copy of my 1985 dress that Tina Turner wore. People told me not to say anything. Everybody has forgotten, even Hervé Léger with the bandage dresses. "

3. Hermès

In 2021, an artist named Mason Rothschild launched “MetaBirkins,” a series of NFTs depicting Hermès’ iconic Birkin bags. Hermès filed a lawsuit which argued that the project infringed on its trademark and Rothschild was exploiting the bag’s fame for profit, rather than artistic expression. Rothschild’s defense claimed the NFTs were protected under the First Amendment as art, but a federal court allowed Hermès’ complaint to proceed, noting the likelihood of consumer confusion. In 2025, a jury sided with Hermès and awarded the brand $133,000 in damages.

4. Gucci

Gucci and Guess spent nearly a decade locked in a legal battle after Gucci accused Guess of copying its trademark design featuring similar logos and diamond patterns. The fight played out in courts across the U.S., Australia, France, and Italy, with mixed results; Gucci won $4.7 million in U.S. federal court, but Guess came out on top in Milan and Paris. In the end, they called a truce and struck a deal to protect each other’s designs moving forward.

(Also Read: After kolhapuris, Prada's next source of inspiration may be traditional Indian juttis)

5. Versace

Gianni Versace’s bold aesthetic, including baroque prints and Greek key motifs, has long been a template for imitation. From fast-fashion chains producing near-identical versions of the iconic Medusa-logo T-shirts to high-street brands replicating his opulent gold-and-black prints, Versace’s signature style is some of the most duplicated in modern fashion. In particular, the black safety pin dress, first made famous by Elizabeth Hurley in 1994, has been endlessly copied by fast-fashion labels and even luxury competitors. Over the years, versions of the dress have even been recreated for new-age starlets, proving how the piece is one of the most replicated symbols of 90s fashion.

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