After being accused of copying a merchandise logo from a Black designer, Taylor Swift says she is donating to the designer’s company and the Black in Fashion Council and her team said the design has been changed.
Amira Rasool, founder of the online retailer The Folklore, which sells “Africa and the diaspora’s top contemporary designer brands,” accused the singer of copying her company’s logo.
On July 24, Rasool wrote on Instagram, “This morning, it came to my attention that musician #TaylorSwift is selling merchandise to go along with her new album ‘Folklore’. She is currently selling merchandise with the words “The Folklore” printed on them. Based on the similarities of the design, I believe the designer of the merch ripped off my company’s logo.”
Swift publicly responded to Rasool on Twitter Thursday.
“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,” Swift tweeted with a heart emoji.
Rasool replied, “Thank you, Taylor. Wishing you all the best.”
In a statement shared with USA TODAY Friday by representative Tree Paine, Swift’s team detailed the actions taken after the complaint.
“Yesterday, we were made aware of a complaint that the specific use of the word ‘the’ before ‘folklore album’ on some of the folklore album merchandise was of concern,” the statement read. “Absolutely no merchandise using ‘the’ before the words ‘folklore album’ has been manufactured or sent out.”
The statement continued, “In good faith, we honored her request and immediately notified everyone who had ordered merchandise with the word ‘the’ preceding ‘folklore album’ that they will now receive their order with the design change.”
Rasool confirmed the change on her Instagram, writing, “Taylor Swift’s team took a great first step by removing “the” from all of the merchandise.”
Before Swift announced her planned donation, Rasool also said on Twitter that she commended Swift’s team for “recognizing the damage the merchandise caused to my company @TheFolklore’s brand.”
She continued, “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… It was a great first step and we are in conversation right now with Taylor’s team about the next steps to make this situation right.”
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