Anupamaa Dayal accuses global brand Rapsodia of plagiarism
Taking inspiration from other designers’ work is common in the fashion industry—but conflict begins when that inspiration crosses over into outright plagiarism. There’s a thin, often invisible line between being inspired by someone’s creativity and copying it.
According to Delhi-based designer Anupamaa Dayal, that line was blurred when international apparel chain Rapsodia allegedly lifted her original designs and profited from them—without credit, permission, or acknowledgement.
Anupamaa Dayal, a veteran of the Indian fashion scene with over 20 years of experience, first noticed something “dodgy” when a familiar group of women -- who according to her -- have been visiting her studio since 2022 visited her Mehrauli studio on March 10, 2025. Among them was Gunjeet Kaur, who, according to Dayal, had introduced herself as the Indian representative of Rapsodia, Maria Cecilia Olivera, and Catalina Ferrari, other key figures associated with the brand.
Dayal recalled that these women had been frequenting her studio for years, often referring to themselves as her "big fans." That day, they again browsed through her designs but hesitated to be photographed—something that struck Dayal as odd. During a brief conversation, Kaur mentioned that they worked for a "big brand" and visited the studio “for inspiration.” That word—inspiration—stuck in Dayal’s mind. It sounded “dodgy,” she said and prompted her to take a closer look at Rapsodia’s Instagram page once they left.
What she found shocked her. “There was so much that was mine—just there. They had copied in total,” Dayal said, describing her immediate reaction when she saw her work, now being sold under a different label with a much bigger profit margin.
Shocked, Dayal reached out to Rapsodia and Gunjeet Kaur directly through emails and phone calls, demanding an explanation. Her questions were met with evasion. Gunjeet allegedly hung up on her, refusing to engage. Later, Dayal discovered that Rapsodia’s official website was blocked in India, and had been for over a month now, making it difficult to access their online catalogue from the country. She also noticed that the brand had begun blocking users on Instagram. Luckily, she had already taken screenshots of the posts she believed were plagiarised.
Eventually, Gunjeet Kaur responded with a message – “Before accusing other brands could you please show me the trademark and patent against the prints you are claiming to be yours? If you don’t have it, please stop spreading rumours around.” The response brought into sharp focus the complicated world of intellectual property law—especially for fashion designers working across international markets. While patents protect inventions and trademarks secure brand names or logos, copyright laws are supposed to safeguard original creative works, including designs and paintings. Yet in Dayal’s case, legal protection seems to remain murky as she got invasive as well with the questions revolving around copyright.
When asked about the status of legal protections on her work, Dayal declined to speak on the specifics of trademarks or copyright registrations. Still, she was clear about her artistic process. Her designs, she said, are not mere aesthetics—they carry deep “personal meaning”. She often uses botanical motifs, particularly flowers and leaves, to represent her identity as a naturalist. “My flowers aren’t just flowers. They have a shiv linga inside them—something I don’t think you can find anywhere,” she said. Her work, she insisted, isn’t just design, it’s a spiritual and introspective journey.
What makes this alleged act of plagiarism particularly painful for Dayal is the brazenness of it. “No experience of mine has been this brazen,” she said. “It is very easy for international brands to piggyback on someone else’s work and maybe they are just a small brand and nobody will get to know or can do anything about it”.
Taking a firm stand, Dayal confirmed that a legal notice has been sent to both Gunjeet Kaur and Cecilia Olivera, detailing the alleged copyright infringement and demanding a formal apology. While she admitted that such experiences are distressing, she also acknowledged a strange sense of affirmation in the pain. “These incidents are painful but they’re helping us realise we need to get our act together,” she said. “It’s shaken me, yes, but it’s also made me feel more protected, more excited to do creative work. In some sense, it’s reminded me of the relevance of my work—that it has traveled far and wide.”
THE WEEK reached out to Rapsodia for an official response to these allegations. At the time of publication, no reply had been received.
Lifestyle