You know that feeling when someone steals your hard work, puts their name on it, and then acts like they invented it? That deep sense of betrayal, frustration, and disbelief?
That’s exactly what Nigerian fashion designer Veekee James felt when she saw one of her most iconic creations allegedly copied by Senegalese designer King Corset.
According to Veekee, the designer didn’t only recreate the look, he doubled down by creating a full-blown documentary, presenting the outfit as his original creation. No credits. No acknowledgments. Just boldness and audacity.
The dress in question? A structured green masterpiece Veekee designed for Bonang Matheba as the host South African Fashion Week 2024.
The beaded corset bodice, the dramatic fishtail silhouette, the intricate detailing; every inch of the gown was a reflection of Veekee’s well-known design expertise and artistic identity.
Months after Bonang’s stunning appearance, a nearly identical dress surfaced on King Corset’s platform. The colors matched. The tailoring was nearly identical. The structure was the same. For many observers, it wasn’t just “similar.” It was a carbon copy.
Photo: Instagram/veekeejames_official Veekee took to Instagram to address the issue, calling out the designer and sharing visual comparisons between the two designs.
In her caption, she didn’t mince words. “Some of you designers in this industry are many MAD. Like seriously mad! How on earth do you copy someone’s viral design 100% and have the guts to do a documentary?” she wrote.
Her tone was furious and unapologetic, backed by countless supporters who agreed the resemblance between the two dresses was undeniable. Fans flooded the comment section, calling the act blatant theft and demanding accountability.
It didn’t stop there. Social media users began pulling out more receipts. They pointed out that this wasn’t the first time King Corset had been accused of mimicking another designer’s designs.
One example was the stunning dress Veekee created for Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa for the 2024 AMVCA. The original featured a striking bodice structure and unique detail placements; elements that reappeared suspiciously in King Corset’s work.
Photo: Instagram/Veekeejames_official Another look that sparked outrage was the dress worn by Tacha at the 2024 AMVCAs, a show-stopping red-carpet moment. Again, a similar version appeared on King Corset’s page not long after.
For Veekee James, the issue isn’t just about imitation, it’s about integrity. She expressed disappointment at the growing trend of designers failing to credit the original creators who inspire their work.
“The height is copying someone without even acknowledging them! Like what’s the difference between you and a thief?” she asked in her Instagram Story.
She went on to say that creativity is sacred, and designers who build their reputations on other people’s ideas will struggle in the long run. “How do you all think God blesses the works of your hands? By stealing?” she questioned.
After intense backlash and heavy criticism from social media users across Africa, King Corset finally responded but not with an apology.
Instead, he claimed that Veekee’s design had simply “inspired” his own work. But by then, the damage had already been done. Many people rejected his explanation, calling it a weak attempt to cover up what looked like obvious duplication.
Fashion critics and fans alike argued that inspiration doesn’t mean reproducing a design stitch for stitch, presenting it as your own, and building promotional content around it. For them, his claim came too late, and lacked sincerity.
Veekee, in a sarcastic tone, noted that she was essentially giving him “free publicity” by calling him out. But her message was clear: designers must learn to credit their sources of inspiration and create from a place of originality.
As someone who has built her brand on excellence, creativity, and consistency, she emphasized that stealing designs isn’t just unethical, it also reveals a lack of personal identity in the work.
The incident has sparked larger conversations in the African fashion space. Designers, stylists, and fashion enthusiasts are using the opportunity to talk about plagiarism, lack of regulation, and the importance of protecting intellectual property in fashion.
For many Nigerian creatives, this moment has highlighted the urgent need for stricter structures around design ownership, especially in a digital world where content travels fast and attribution is often lost.
Fashion, at its core, is art. Every stitch, silhouette, and structure is the result of countless hours of sketching, sourcing, trial, and error. For designers like Veekee James, their pieces are more than just outfits, they are signatures. So when another designer lifts that signature without credit, it isn’t just offensive. It’s an erasure of effort, identity, and intention.
The backlash King Corset is currently facing may serve as a cautionary tale. While social media can elevate your craft, it can also expose your shortcuts. And in an industry where originality is currency, credibility is everything.
If you borrow a vision, say so. If you’re inspired, give credit. Because the truth is stealing someone’s spotlight doesn’t make yours shine any brighter. And Veekee James? She’s still standing tall in hers.
Photo: Instagram/Veekeejames_official
