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Monday, December 07, 2015

Chanel Accused of Copying Knitwear Designer Mati Ventrillon

Chanel Accused of Copying Knitwear Designer Mati Ventrillon:

Peyton Knight in Chanel's 2015 Metier's d'Art Show. Photo: Imaxtree
Peyton Knight in Chanel's 2015 Metier's d'Art Show. Photo: Imaxtree
Chanel's latest Métiers d'Art collection, which debuted in Rome last week, is getting attention for more than just its over-the-top set. Scottish designer Mati Ventrillon is claiming that the collection's Fair Isle knitwear pieces are replicas of her own designs, as first reported by The Fashion Law.

In a number of posts across her personal social media channels, Ventrillon explains how two members from the Chanel team visited her Fair Isle studio over the summer and purchased her garments as research for that very collection. "I specifically said that I was going to sell it to them for the reputation of [the] Chanel house and because I would not expect them to copy my design," noted Ventrillon on Facebook and Instagram. According to images provided by Ventrillon, it's hard to dismiss the similarities between the knits from both parties.

On Twitter, Ventrillon also clarified that she is more concerned about the value of traditional craftsmanship than collecting money from the luxury French fashion house. Her company creates bespoke knitwear garments that are made from organic Shetland wool and made to order. Her small business model supports an historic trade — Fair Isle knitwear — that she feels is in danger of being undervalued. "Usually craftsmen find [it] very difficult to put a price on their work and very often their work is undervalued, when you sell your products cheap you are reducing the value of your business and the craft," she said on Facebook.

Chanel is expected to provide an official statement. Watch this space for an update.

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