Global fashion retailer Zara has come under fire following the launch of its new sock range which allegedly copies South African fashion brand MaXhosa by Laduma’s signature diamond-shaped designs.
Proudly South African, which seeks to increase local production and influence consumers to buy local, has released a statement condemning the fashion retailer’s actions, “Proudly South African has noted with dismay the unauthorized replication by Spanish fashion retailer Zara, of one of our brightest fashion design stars work. Laduma Ngxokolo, whose label Maxhosa by Laduma is in the process of becoming part of the Proudly South African movement, released his Khanyisa range of cardigans and socks in 2014, but we can now find the identical items in 2018 on the shelves of local Zara outlets.”
The organisation also called out the fashion retailer for its procurement practices.
“Zara is one of the overseas retail chains that entered the local fashion retail market in recent years and upon whom Proudly South African continues to put pressure to procure locally manufactured garments. Currently 100% of their stock is made outside of South Africa.
“If other retailers can completely revise their percentage of local versus overseas goods, so can Zara. Given the level of support they enjoy from local South African consumers, it is their moral obligation to return some of their profits to local clothing and textile designers and manufacturers.”
Business Insider SA reports that MaXhosa sent Zara a letter of demand earlier this month, according to their communications manager, Ntsika Tyatya.
