Brooklyn-based designer Adam Kurtz has made buying from indie designers who had their work ripped off by Zara easier for you with Shop Art Theft, a site to purchase the original artwork lifted by Zara.
The global retailer has been embroiled in public criticism after popular LA-based artist Tuesday Bassen took to Twitter last week to share her ongoing battle with the company, including a pointed letter from Zara to her lawyer. In the letter, the company claims she has no basis for her case due to the “lack of distinctiveness” of her work. However, the retailer has since suspended sales of its designs tied to Bassen, according to Refinery 29.
Kurtz has also launched a Twitter and Instagram account for Shop Art Theft. The Instagram account already has more than 6,000 followers.
“Once is a mistake. This many times is inexcusable,” Kurtz writes on the site. “Global fashion retailer Zara appears to have stolen dozens of artworks from over 20 independent illustrators, designers, and brands… Help us hold the company accountable to directly address this glaring intellectual property infringement and fairly compensate these artists.”
Bassen told Glossy last week that she continued to be in awe of the outpouring of support she’s received since sharing her struggle on Twitter.
“I feel very lucky that this story is taking off and extremely heartened that people care enough to donate their time to helping me,” she said. “I honestly didn’t think it would take off, I initially just wanted to share my grief and show people how hopeless corporations try to make artists feel who stick up for themselves.”
