Sheria Ngowi of Sheria Ngowi Design Releases Statement on the Allergedly Copied Design

Jacqueline Mafuru wore a dress that looks almost the same as Sheria Ngowi's design for Mwamvita Makamba

 

11th July 2012: Dar es Salaam

Dear Sir/Madam,

We represent WALTER THOMAS NGOWI, a renowned designer and owner of SHERIA NGOWI BRAND and SHERIA NGOWI LIMITED.

Please find attached hereto a Press Statement in response to recent social media allegations on legitimacy of one of our Client’s design. The attached Press Statement is intended to address the said allegations and serve as a Warning to the media and public at large on reporting on matters which we consider to be defamatory against our Client. Please assist to circulate and publish the Statement.
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Tanzanian renowned fashion designer Sheria Ngowi whose work has set a high benchmark in fashion designing in the country released a statement today to address the ongoing allegations circulating on social media regarding a counterfeit of one of his 2011 creations.

Sheria Ngowi confirms that the design in question is his own creation and was created in his current workshop located in China in 2011 while working on the Miss Tanzania 2011 Collection. The workshop is shared by different designers and buyers from across the world.

“The business of counterfeit goods is the largest underground industry in the world. Fashion design is huge business in Asia and is a booming industry globally but sadly so is the fake designer garment industry . Fashion designers in various countries are struggling to keep up with their clothes being copied and are facing a losing battle in many cases.” Said Mr. Ngowi when addressing the matter. “Seeing people selling imitations of your clothes is not easy to swallow since it means financial loss for your business".

One of the issues contributing to high piracy of designer clothes is the dramatic rise in fashion industry and the internet. The more fashion designers get exposure, the more the chances are of their designs being copied. There are so many fashion events these days, and with the rise of social media most high-end designs are available online within moments of the garments being worn. Buyers from around the world seize these opportunities to make copies and sometimes unfortunately from the same workshops that the designers use to produce their work.

“Some designers have been quoted saying that fashion imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. When one’s designs are copied it goes to show that they have really made an impact in the industry. But I say, it is really when the imitation is so blatant that you can’t tell a difference between the imitated and the imitator that flattery becomes mockery” said Mr. Ngowi .

Any type of infringement is serious and spells financial disaster for the business involved. In the world of fashion, however, the existence of copycats is ten-folds than anywhere else. Some of the most recent copyright designer battles involved mega brands like Gucci vs Guess, Prada vs Zara, and DVF vs Forever 21 where the small retailers were sued by the big designer houses for taking “designer inspiration” too far till one cannot tell the difference.

Mr. Ngowi wishes to assure his loyal customers, friends and supporters that the allegations of him copying a dress by another designer are completely false and inaccurate. He confirms to be the creator of the alleged dress. He has further information of the dress being copied in other countries apart from China and he is working with his Legal Advisors to take the necessary legal steps against the perpetrators.

ABOUT SHERIA NGOWI
Walter Thomas Ngowi is a lawyer by profession, who became a fashion designer known as Sheria Ngowi because his passion for fashion turned into a real business and the label preferred by many African and Arab executives.

In 2008 he launched his first capsule collection under the name of Sheria Na Mavazi in Mysore. And in 2009 it was the year of change when he launched: Year of the Gentleman, the very first men's collection inspired by and dedicated to his late father, the man "responsible" for his passion for men's fashion.

Sheria went on to successfully design the collection for Miss Tanzania 2011 which skyrocketed him to the top when in the same year he was named menswear designer of the year.

Later that same year he was featured in the GQ Italia, one of the most premier men’s fashion magazines worldwide where he was compared to the likes of Tom Ford.
Sheria is currently working to launch his store in a few months to come that will include both men and women designs.

FOR MORE ON SHERIA NGOWI:
www.sherianamavazi.blogspot.com
TWITTER: @SheriaNgowi