Kim Kardashian West has slammed so-called fast fashion brands who “rip-off” the designs she wears often hours after she is pictured wearing them.
The reality TV star is known for donning outfits from some of the world’s top fashion designers, as well as from her husband Kanye West.
On Sunday she was pictured wearing a vintage Thierry Mugler cut-out gown.
Less than 24 hours later, a similar design was on sale on a clothing website.
Mother-of-three Kardashian West, 38, said it was “devastating” to see the original designs copied.
It’s devastating to see these fashion companies rip off designs that have taken the blood, sweat and tears of true designers who have put their all into their own original ideas.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) February 19, 2019
I’ve watched these companies profit off my husband’s work for years and now that it’s also affecting designers who have been so generous to give me access to their beautiful works, I can no longer sit silent.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) February 19, 2019
My relationships with designers are very important to me. It's taken me over a decade to build them and I have a huge amount of respect for the amount of work that they put into bringing their ideas to life.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) February 19, 2019
She tweeted: “It’s devastating to see these fashion companies rip off designs that have taken the blood, sweat and tears of true designers who have put their all into their own original ideas.
“I’ve watched these companies profit off my husband’s work for years and now that it’s also affecting designers who have been so generous to give me access to their beautiful works, I can no longer sit silent.
“Only two days ago, I was privileged enough to wear a one-of-a-kind vintage Mugler dress and in less than 24 hours it was knocked off and thrown up on a site – but it’s not for sale. You have to sign up for a waitlist because the dress hasn’t even been made to sell yet.”
Kardashian West said her relationships with designers are “very important to me” and dismissed internet rumours she worked with online fashion outlets to “leak” the clothes to them.
I often plan for weeks, sometimes months, and even a year in advance, and I’m grateful for every fashion moment those designers and their dresses have helped me create.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) February 19, 2019
So, as always, don’t believe everything you read and see online. I don’t have any relationships with these sites. I’m not leaking my looks to anyone, and I don’t support what these companies are doing.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) February 19, 2019
She said: “I often plan for weeks, sometimes months, and even a year in advance, and I’m grateful for every fashion moment those designers and their dresses have helped me create.
“So, as always, don’t believe everything you read and see online. I don’t have any relationships with these sites. I’m not leaking my looks to anyone, and I don’t support what these companies are doing.”
One of the retailers in question, Fashion Nova, describes itself as an “ultra-fast fashion brand”.
— FashionNova (@FashionNova) February 19, 2019
In a statement, it said: “We respect the fashion community and work with a variety of vendors, designers, influencers and celebrities to keep our style offering fresh and relevant.
“Kim Kardashian West is one of the top fashion icons in the world that our customers draw inspiration from.
“However, we have not worked with Kim Kardashian West directly on any of her projects but have been driven by her influential style.”