OFFICIAL STATEMENT
FASHION DESIGNER SHERIA NGOWI ADDRESSES ALLEGATIONS
REGARDING ONE OF HIS 2011 CREATIONS
11th July 2012: Dar es Salaam
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:
TWITTER: @SheriaNgowi
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