An artist called out Converse on TikTok for allegedly stealing her design
A 22-year-old artist accused Converse of using the designs she submitted for her internship application through a viral TikTok video. Sadly enough, it isn’t quite new to see news on how bigger companies allegedly steal designs from artists instead of reaching out and compensating them.
Last week, a designer named Cecilia Monge shared a video on TikTok that showed comparisons of her designs to the Converse National Parks line. The artist explained that she applied for a design internship for the shoe company in 2019. She also said that she never landed the internship.
Along with submitting her portfolio, Monge also included pitch designs for sneakers. She pointed out how her design looks similar to the National Parks’ colorways, namely Bright Poppy and Top Red Bark.
@ceci.monge Ouch @converse #internship #design #smalldesigner #plzstopstealing #fashion #TWDSurvivalChallenge #fyp
Other users tagged Converse on Monge’s video and posted comments questioning the shoe giant and demanding recognition for the artist. The video has garnered over 15 million views and has earned 4.6 million likes as of writing.
Converse representatives confirmed Monge’s internship application in 2019. They also stated that she “was not hired or screened for any roles” and that the application didn’t require portfolios or samples from applicants, as per Insider.
Converse’s email to Monge stated that they did not share her portfolio across the business, as per Boston. The director of Converse’s North America Strategy team said, ‘I also wanted to provide some clarity on the footwear development process, which typically runs from 12 – 18 months from concept to creation.’
The email also contained an explanation regarding Monge’s second video on comparing her design to a pair from the Chuck 70 Nor’easter line. They said that the Nor’easter shoe design idea started in November 2018 and was created in April 2019. Those particular shoes were released in October 2020.
@ceci.monge Reply to @vsheridan thank u for all the support!
A few days ago, Monge posted an update on TikTok, and shared that Converse reached out to her via email. However, she also said, ‘Converse hasn’t apologized or compensated me, or credited me in any way.’
In Monge’s latest video, she included the hashtag “#designersspeakup” to encourage other small labels or designers to use their voices and talk about similar experiences.
Banner: Unsplash/helloimnik | TikTok/Cecilia Monge
The post <b>An artist called out Converse on TikTok for allegedly stealing her design</b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.
Source: we the pvblic
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