Fashion designer Trelise Cooper has pulled a grey top from her latest collection after it was revealed to be identical to one sold in a British chain store.
The Herald on Sunday last week reported one of its writers had tried on the top, featuring a red ribbon embroidered on the front, at Topshop in London. There, it was designed by Markus Lupfer.
The writer was surprised to see the same garment on the catwalk in Cooper's Fashion Week show last month.
Cooper blamed her Hong Kong embroidery supplier, saying she would not use them again, and pulled the top from her collection.
Lupfer today told the newspaper he had designed his jersey 18 months before Ms Cooper's top, bearing the near-identical red ribbon embroidered motif, was released at New Zealand Fashion Week.
His design, sold through Britain's biggest fashion chain, Topshop, said, had been popular.
"Wow, this is quite something -- very, very cheeky," Lupfer said.
"I am amazed that this jumper is exactly the same and seems like they have not changed one thing. I am not sure what we are going to do and I do need to check with my team."
