How Africa News
Black designers just want credit for their work, so they’re making sure the industry holds those who rip them off accountable.
In regards to her forthcoming album, singer Taylor Swift received major backlash this week from Black-owned brand The Folklore — a website for up and coming designers from Africa — and founder Amira Rasool who accused Swift of ripping off the brand’s logo for her album’s merchandise, Business Insider reports.
InStyle reports that after a friend of hers pointed out the brand’s logo on Swift’s merchandise, Rasool feared her plans to highlight “The Folklore” logo — for her upcoming in-house line — would be ruined as consumers may assume she’s copying off of the singer’s line.
“Initially I was so shocked,” she told InStyle. “I’d heard of so many different Black women in particular who had been ripped off by large corporations by celebrities. And I just couldn’t believe that it was happening to me.”
Rasool took to social media to call more attention to her claims.
Wait hold up. Taylor Swift, it’s one thing to use the name “Folklore” but we’re out here stealing Black women’s logos too? @TheFolklore pic.twitter.com/XvcS6dyadp
— Amira Rasool (@AmiraRasool) July 24, 2020
Though she didn’t solely blame the singer, Rasool told Instyle she planned to take legal action against her and her team because “Taylor is the one who’s profiting off of it.”
In response to the accusations, Swift came forward to clear her name and proposed donations to The Folklore and Black In Fashion Council as a peace offering.
Amira, I admire the work you’re doing and I’m happy to make a contribution to your company and to support the Black in Fashion Council (launching on 8/3) with a donation 💗@thefolklore @amirarasool @bifcglobal #blackinfashioncouncil
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 30, 2020
Since then Swift has done a quick rebrand, according to Women’s Wear Daily, changing the name of her merchandise from “The Folklore” to “Folklore.”
The situation may be able to get resolved without further legal action as Rasool took to Twitter again to express her appreciation for Swift recognizing the damage from the situation.
I commend Taylor’s team for recognizing the damage the merchandise caused to my company @TheFolklore’s brand. I recognize that she has been a strong advocate for women protecting their creative rights, so it was good to see her team is on the same page. https://t.co/8KR5IaYkIs
— Amira Rasool (@AmiraRasool) July 28, 2020
