The Met Gala may very well be the most prestigious event in the fashion industry and this year’s extravaganza has been plagued with rumours of copycatting.
Ralph Lauren has been accused of ripping off a floor-length cape by Malaysian designer, Datuk Zang Toi.
Based on a report by the New York Post, the copycat cape in question was worn by songstress Alicia Keys to the recent 2022 Met Gala in New York City. The cape that was designed by Ralph Lauren, resembled Toi’s black and white New York skyline cape from his Spring 2009 collection.
Ralph Lauren’s cape from the 2022 Met Gala:
Datuk Zang Toi’s cape from his Spring 2009 collection:
“My cape was inspired by my love for my adopted home, New York City,”
“I came here 41 years ago with $300 (RM1,312.50) to study at Parsons School of Design and I wanted to show my love and appreciation for the city that embraced me – and allowed me to live the American Dream,” Toi shared.
While Toi’s cape was from his Spring 2009 collection, it was later worn by Malaysian model, Ling Tan, at the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards and it was showcased again in 2020.
“I decided to bring the iconic hand-beaded New York skyline cape out of the archive – timeless beauty never goes out of style – to pay tribute to my favourite city at my 2020 ‘New York, New York’ runway show,” Toi added.
He also took to his Twitter page to call out Ralph Lauren on the similarities of their capes.
“Ironically, I opened my F2020 Runway Show with the great Alicia Key’s ‘Empire State of Mind’. Team Ralph Lauren are paying very, very close attention,” he wrote.
Ralph Lauren has yet to comment on the matter.
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