Matthew Williamson inspired by traditional Ethiopian dress
December 13th, 2007 by Helen - Posted in Clothes, Designers, News
We all know the story of designer inspired clothes and accessories, including high end designers finding inspiration from different cultures. But has Matthew Williamson taken his Ethiopian inspirations a step too far?
Two dresses from his latest spring summer 2008 collection were so similar to Ethiopia’s traditional national dress that the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Oxfam are investigating the matter.
Abdurazak Omer of the Intellectual Property Office in Addis Ababa said: “We are very unhappy with the actions of Mr Williamson. These are the dresses of our mothers and grandmothers. They symbolise our identity, faith and national pride. Nobody has the right to claim these designs as their own.”
But a spokewomen for Matthew Williamson has released a statement saying that “the design team derived inspiration from various African countries and tribal groups. In presenting his spring/ summer 2008 collection Matthew Williamson strived to gain recognition and admiration for not only the traditional dress of the Ethiopian people, but also other African communities whose beautiful traditional techniques are also evident in the show.”
One might say that this is not uncommon, with FUK.co.uk blogger, Marian, saying that Williamson is not the first designer to be inspired by African dress.
“I recall a McQueen show in London where African tribal dress was a theme and also Red Or Dead’s last ever catwalk show under the control of Wayne and Geradine was inspired by Africans in London and referenced tribal dress as well as knock out creations like the dress made from a beaded car seat.”
But it is good to keep in mind that traditional Ethiopian tailors earn up to 200 Ethiopian Birr a month, the equivalent of £10, while Williamson dress are priced the dress £895.
Do you think Williamson offended the Ethiopians or his inspirations were justified?
[Images: Elle.com & EthiopianDesign.com]
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December 13th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Why can’t they be flattered by this?
I see this as a tribute.
Designers get inspiration from all different sources, that what makes the fashion industry so interesting and varied.
I would not have known about this traditional dress if this issue had not arisen so I am educated as a result.
I see this as a good thing.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:26 am
Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity to get the designer look for less then
December 14th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
It is only a tribute if the designer attribute his design to the Ethiopian cultural costume. However, we do not know the whole story. There may be other African countries with traditional costumes like this. The spokeswoman did mention that it was inspire by African communities
December 14th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
As I see it from the picture, what Williamson did is not inspiration but theft.
December 26th, 2007 at 5:51 am
this is just copy of ethiopian dress, he didn’t even change it a bit he just put it as it is……….what a designer!! haha
December 26th, 2007 at 5:57 am
Wombat there is no other african countries with traditional costumes like this!!!!!!this is only ethiopian and some Eritrean cultural costume.
atleast he should say it as its ethiopian dress
December 26th, 2007 at 7:33 am
“Designers get inspiration from all different sources, that what makes the fashion industry so interesting and varied.”
inspiration!! what he did is just COPY Exactly!!
December 27th, 2007 at 12:20 am
This is totally looks like the orginal Ethiopian traditional dress not even a copy.
December 27th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
I love the dresses but I agree that he didn’t make them his own, they are quite similar to the original.
December 30th, 2007 at 11:20 am
As an ethiopian, i would say Matthew did good job. Moreover,to the style ,he credited ethiopia. so those of you who complaind of theft , how can this be a theft.
December 31st, 2007 at 12:24 am
zabatsion i bet if u are ethiopian. didn’t u see this dress in ethiopia?? what did he change on this dresses? noting!!! where is the creativity?? he put those dresses as he did it himself, what a shame!
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
matthew si lava as all his past fathers. the dresses belong to ETHIOPIA ALL WAYS for thousand years
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
leave ethiopia alone antah farenji soch toh alfelegim western ways matthew that dress is ethiopian and you sir are a lava which means thief in amharic the language of pp you are rippingoff. this is our culture and way of life
February 20th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
[...] Matthew Williamson was ‘inspired by’ Ethiopian traditional dress, now it seems that Marc Jacobs was inspired by a 1950s scarf designed by a man from western [...]
March 11th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
This is inspiring for me to see my traditional cloth desplayed in the world of fashion. To correct every one this is not only ethiopian traditional cloth. It belongs to Abyssinians this cover some part of ethiopia and Eritrea population.
Good work
If you are interested to buy call me on 02075619948. I have a biutifull collection in my shop in Finsbury Park.
March 20th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Mathew was not inspired by the Ethiopian traditional cloth. He committed theft. But the most important thing is what is in his peoples’ mind to be done next? We are tired of smooth “inspirational interest” white people show to something traditional and couple of years later claim a patent on it. This has happened repeatedly on Ethiopian treasures and this one will also go to the same direction if something is not done right away. This is disrespectful!!!
March 28th, 2008 at 12:30 am
That was totally an inspiration; it was a good thing to see the magnificence culture of my people but the ugliest part was Mathew’s denial, he knows the truth it is defiantly the culture of the extraordinary people of Ethiopia. Moreover, the listing he can do was be genuine & a mater of fact the local designers them selves did better than he did, he can come see it for him self. So all am saying is come clean and tell the truth. Surely, the world knows Ethiopia is full of culture. Nevertheless, one thing I want to say to “Ato” Mathew is thank you so much for your attempt to show our culture to your people. And people, especially my people please …please give him a break he did the job for us, we should thank him for that plus we should be proud of it.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I’ve a dress just like those ones. This is hilarious to me. I just cannot believe Matthew claims this as his on. The second one, specially is very popular in Ethiopia. It’s exactly the same!! A lot of Ethiopian are outraged by this. He should have at least said his idea came from Ethiopian cultural clothing, although its actually it. I don’t care if every designer does this, but he’s not getting away with this one. We’ve been dressed in those clothings long enough to know that they are unique and they are OURS!
May 5th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
It even has the netela! Wow…
Yehe leba!
May 12th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
There is a fine line (in Fashion as with anything else) between appropriation and flat out copying. The difference being appropriation generally means acknowledging your source as well as changing the original in some way to “speak back” to itself. Personally I do not think Williamson has done either of these things. So that leaves us with simply copying. I fail to see how the ethiopians would feel in any way flattered, seeing there designs were not acknowledged as their in the first place. Someone is making alot of money and it sure as hell isn’t them.