Millinery Plagiarism: Why do we see similar work by different people?

[@Jwhmillinery]

What do you think about this topic?

[@dianathakurmillinery9757]

I am very interested!! Because I am a new milliner, and I am so hesitant to post it share my designs and to have it copied. It's crazy, that you cant speak your mind.

[@Jwhmillinery]

These days, it seems like the only way to get noticed is to post your work online. So it’s a risk you get, but I hope this doesn’t discourage you from sharing your work.

[@dianathakurmillinery9757]

@@Jwhmillinery At first I was hesitant, but I decided to just go for it. So I designed my own website and now I have my youtube channel and FB/IG.

[@SHMillinery]

@@dianathakurmillinery9757 you do lovely work, just carry on being your on person in millinery x

[@dianathakurmillinery9757]

@@SHMillinery Thank you so much, that really means a lot to me!!

[@dianathakurmillinery9757]

Really appreciate this video. You are so spot on!! I feel as a milliner, you have to create your own niche and signature trade mark. Be unique yet be inspired by other designs.

[@4scampton786]

If milliners run courses to teach others their techniques isn't it obvious that there will be copies, as people are learning a technique and then making it again themselves. However if they have not been learning on a course then that is a different matter but then people take inspiration from pictures, the media etc. This happens in the fashion industry and so long as you are not selling a product with "name or label" by another company surely that is not wrong?

[@Jwhmillinery]

I’m not saying that teachers should do this, but I think they should somehow encourage students to learn the technique and then take it in a completely new direction. There is a teacher who teachers a technique very well (and shall remain nameless as I don’t want them to think I’m being mean) but all the students seem to produce similar work afterwards. There doesn’t seem to be any variation. I’m not here to gatekeep, say what is wrong or right or to be the judge of all things millinery, the video was to highlight why we see so much of the same things. But I am also highlighting the fact that we need to really start to see some innovation from suppliers, makers, teachers etc to keep pushing millinery forward and hopefully turn it into more of an industry on par with fashion.

[@sukiedgar9022]

@@Jwhmillinery I agree but obviously when students pay good money to learn they will initially make the same designs and over time will develop their own style. But there are several style techniques taught which are easily recognised. But look at haute couture which is immediately be replicated on the high street. Surely imitation is the best form of flattery.

[@Jwhmillinery]

Of course and that is to be expected. That's why I brought up the topic of lack of professional training because that way, you learn most traditional and some more modern techniques, giving you space and time to experiment, find your style and niche so when you are let loose into the world, you at least have a viewpoint and a direction. I'm not saying learning via other milliners is bad, in fact, I think that it's somewhat easier to learn that way as you are doing a deep dive into a specific thing, but, people need to be encouraged to think differently. If someone wants to earn a living by copying others, then I don't see the joy of millinery there. Imitation is the best form of flattery, it really is, but my goal with the video was to explain the reasons why we see similar-looking work without anyone copying. Actual copying is a whole other video and I don't think I would ever film it for fear of upsetting a group of people

[@Jwhmillinery]

"This happens in the fashion industry and so long as you are not selling a product with "name or label" by another company surely that is not wrong?" I just wanted to reply to this part, I personally think its wrong. Direct copying is wrong. Just because fashion does it, doesn't mean its right or that milliners can do it However, having similar ideas independently is not wrong. The video was to highlight why we see similar idea done by different people, broken down into 6 reasons we could see similar work without it being direct copying.

[@SHMillinery]

excellent video John, and food for thought for many people xx

[@sunshinesiev]

Do you mind me inviting you on my Ig for a live talk on this

[@Jwhmillinery]

Sure! Drop me a DM on IG and let’s find a date and time

[@sunshinesiev]

That would be great sending a msg now

[@sunshinesiev]

Sorry you have two accounts which one should I send the massage to