Robbery, plagiarism, pilferage — in any linguistic variation, these terms refer to the deliberate theft of physical or intellectual property, a concept generally looked down upon across cultures. So, why is it that when it comes to the creative pursuits and labors of Black women, this theft is seen as a mere part of the process? There is no shortage of examples of big-name brands openly copying the designs of smaller, Black designers, who are already categorically underrepresented in the fashion industry. Most recently, Fashion Nova has sunk its fast-fashion claws into Hanifa’s new release. With almost admirable gall, they have released a dress that is nearly identical to Hanifa’s new “Taliah Knit” piece. Their “Symone Sweater Maxi dress” retails for $54.99, a far cry from the $1,098.80 (now reduced to $319) price tag that occupies the original. This price difference is one of the main reasons people see this copycat era of fashion as acceptable, as can be seen in countless tweets...
