Draya Michele didn’t play any video games whereas defending her swimsuit firm’s status! The Mint Swim founder pulled receipts of her previous designs after Barbados designer Chenique Janine accused her of stealing one in all her swimwear designs.
Draya took to social media to make clear how she’s dealt with her enterprise since launching Mint Swim in 2011.
Right here’s What The Barbados Designer Alleges
In keeping with Chenique Janine’s website, Janine is predicated out of Bridgetown, Barbados, and has over “10 years of expertise” in swimwear trend, notably handmade-to-order items.
On Thursday (August 15), Chenique shared a 35-second TikTok video detailing her design theft accusation in opposition to Draya and Mint Swim. Within the caption, she defined that she acknowledged and launched herself to Michele on Could 28, 2022, at a “standard beachfront restaurant in Barbados.” She supplied one in all her swimsuits as “a present,” and Michele accepted, offering her lodge keep info.
“Being a designer who does EVERYTHING by hand alone, I didn’t have a bunch of swimsuits I may simply seize and provides to her. So I went into my studio and made her two swimwear items, and dropped them off at her lodge simply earlier than midnight. The following day she posted photographs of the swimwear and tagged my enterprise web page, which I used to be grateful for.”
Now, the Barbados designer says Draya is promoting a “Kiki” swimsuit that’s an “actual duplicate” of the one-piece she gifted the Mint Swim proprietor.
“As a small enterprise proprietor that is past hurtful, for a number of causes. Each single swimsuit my shoppers have obtained is hand made on my own. I wouldn’t have the funds or assets at this stage to mass produce on the stage she and different quick trend manufacturers who’ve stolen my designs prior to now have. She didn’t even attain out and recommend a collaboration. A few of you might even see completely nothing mistaken with this. However that is actually my bread and butter. That is how I make my residing,” Chenique wrote.
@itsokaytobeunique From the time I began designing I had a listing of individuals whom I might like to see put on my swimwear and Draya Michele was one in all them. On Could twenty eighth 2022, whereas having lunch at a well-liked beachfront restaurant in Barbados, I recognised a well-known face and drew consciousness to the group of buddies I used to be with. Figuring out that it was a dream of mine, my buddies inspired me to ask Draya if she would settle for a present from me, which I hesitantly did (as a result of I’m shy). Whereas chatting with her, she gave me the small print of the place she was staying and mentioned I may drop it off on the lodge. Being a designer who does EVERYTHING by hand alone, I didn’t have a bunch of swimsuits I may simply seize and provides to her. So I went into my studio and made her two swimwear items and dropped them off at her lodge simply earlier than midnight. The following day she posted photographs of the swimwear and tagged my enterprise web page, which I used to be grateful for. Quick ahead to 2024. Draya has now mass produced a swimsuit by the identify of “Kiki” below her branding “Mintswim” which is a precise duplicate of the swimsuit I gifted her. No, not as a collaboration however as a “new” piece for her 2024 assortment. As a small enterprise proprietor that is past hurtful, for a number of causes. Each single swimsuit my shoppers have obtained is hand made on my own. I wouldn’t have the funds or assets at this stage to mass produce on the stage she and different quick trend manufacturers who’ve stolen my designs prior to now have. She didn’t even attain out and recommend a collaboration. A few of you might even see completely nothing mistaken with this. However that is actually my bread and butter. That is how I make my residing. This isn’t a submit to “disgrace” her however to attract consciousness to the affect actions like this have on the “small man”. I’m bored with feeling like I’m not doing one thing proper as a result of I’m not additional in my profession to then see somebody replicate my swimsuits, promote it cheaper and make it available for the lots. Can we as girls uplift one another when there is a chance to take action as an alternative of deliberately / unintentionally tearing one another down? Help different girls who’re attempting to get forward… she did a stable together with her submit and the popularity however doesn’t permit anybody the correct to steal somebody’s mental property. #storytime #designer #smallbusiness #bajan #caribbean #influencer #barbados #drayamichele
How Draya Michele Responded To Chenique Janine’s Claims
Lower than a day after Chenique Janine blasted her, Draya Michele responded by way of Instagram Tales in a collection of posts. First, she shared Janine’s video, encouraging her followers to “watch the complete factor.” Then, she acknowledged that the designer is “right” about gifting her the swimsuits, however “incorrect” about her “stealing a design.”
Afterward, she once more acknowledged that she accepted the gifted swimsuits and posted them as a result of they had been “stunning” and he or she “appreciated” Chenique’s “strategy” to her.
Draya talked about that she’s been in enterprise since 2011 and infrequently remixes her “personal silhouettes and kinds.” She adopted up by sharing images of a 2016 design referred to as ‘Sam’ that allegedly bought over 13,000 items. Then, she shared movies of one other fashion referred to as ‘Bunny’ that she launched in Could 2022.
“In 2024, I merged a entrance of 1 design with the again of one other. Each my authentic designs, and added a clasp. And I referred to as it Kiki,” Draya wrote. “The one factor I did was remix my earlier kinds for a brand new twist. It usually repeats itself. That’s the way it goes.”
In a separate submit, she added that stealing isn’t one thing she’d be “assured doing” at this level in her profession. Moreover, she addressed Chenique instantly, calling her a “nice designer.”
“…I want you the very best of luck in future and I’m pleased with you for standing up for your self,” she wrote.
Swipe beneath to see Draya’s dated receipts. Chenique has but to react to Michele’s response.
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