Fashion designer Maria B apologized for plagiarizing the artwork of the Turkish artist in her latest collection featuring Palestine and Gaza.
One of the designs featured the Palestine map with a boy cleverly merged into the pattern alongside the Palestinian flag wrapped in Olive branches. The design caught the attention of the artist Leena Ghani who pointed out the design had been stolen.
She took to her Instagram and tagged the Turkish page Palestine Quebec that had shared the design first. The page said that Turkish artist Haci Balina Atolye originally made the design.
Later Palestine Quebec and Ghani urged people to call out fashion designer Maria B for stealing the design.
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The designer initially did not respond to the accusations. However, on Tuesday night, she uploaded the video and said she ‘unintentionally’ printed the design of the artist. She called it her ‘oversight’ and apologized to her followers.
“In this digital age of fast-paced information and viral images, such unintentional oversights can occur. We apologize for the oversight,” her statement read.
“We have contacted the artist, who is recognizing our work with empathy and grace and is willing to collaborate with us in our efforts for Gaza. She’s a young and talented artist, please support her work! @hacibalina,” she added.
She also called out ‘liberal’ who criticized her. “Maria B. copied Gaza flag. Maria B copied Gaza map. Maria B copied Keffiyeh. Maria B copied resistance art. Maria B copied watermelon. Watermelon copied embroidery. Low IQ liberals,” she lashed out in her stories in all caps.
“This is an inspired collection picking up images of resistance,” added Butt, reiterating that she was not making a single penny from its sales. “Liberals try to take me down while I’m trying to help raise funds for Gaza. This is Pakistan. Do nothing yourself and tear down anyone who tries to do something, God is enough for me, I will never stop,” she said.