KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Maria Farida and singer Nabila Razali may look stunning in special events with their stylish dresses, but a fashion critic has claimed that their most recent attires had signs of “plagiarism” from international brand Balmain.
The critic, known as @i_knowfashion claimed on Instagram recently that Nabila’s black-and-white dress which she wore at Anugerah MeleTOP Era on April 8 bore an uncanny resemblance to a well-known Balmain outfit.
Likewise Maria’s pink, Middle Eastern-inspired dress which she wore at a cosmetics launch in MF Mansion here two days ago.
“The fashion designer is our fellow Malaysian. But his works clearly look like Balmain’s. Wouldn't it be easier for him to get Maria and Nabila to buy their dresses from the international brand?” said the critic.
“Come on designers, please credit Balmain as the inspiration behind your designs. Don’t plagiarise.”
The critic also said that there were “many fashion enthusiasts” who had their eyes wide open to catch designers red-handed for being copycats.
Netizens, in most of their 56 comments agreed with @i_knowfashion and slammed fashion designers who resorted to copying.
“It’s strange that some of our so-called fashion designers choose to be copycats. Don’t they have their own inspirations? Good designers can find inspiration anywhere!” said Atif.
“Looks like a designer fooled us twice!” said Omar.
“Copy, paste, change colour, add a little, minus a little, walla! I give you a dress!”