Anthropologie Apparently Stole an Earring Design from an Indie Designer

Plagiarism is rampant in the design world, like Victoria’s Secret copying Pat McGrath’s packaging, Forever 21 using Wildfang’s design, and all of the controversy surrounding Kylie Jenner and her merch. However, that’s not to say it’s ever appropriate. The latest guilty party is none other than Anthropologie.

The boho-chic chain allegedly stole the design for a pair of earrings from indie jewelry designer Laurel Hill. The earrings in question are Hill’s Gate Hoops ($96), which she crafts by hand and currently sells on her own site.

Anthropologie’s version, called Lunar Cutout Hoop Earrings ($38) bears more than a passing resemblance to Hill’s creation. Interestingly, Anthropologie is owned by the same company as Free People, who sold Hill’s designs back in 2014 and 2015, something Hill explained in an Instagram post detailing her story.

View this post on Instagram

WHAT THE FUCK @anthropologie. This is so rude. I'm a person! You're a collective of people! Somewhere in there, someone was like "WOW we like these earrings but we don't want to support the designer or living wages or being decent humans so please send this 'inspo' pic of the original design to our factory overseas for cheap manufacture." DUDES COME ON. In the spirit of human-to-human interaction, I tried reaching out to the buyer a few times and... crickets. I honestly expected more. ⠀ Anthro is owned by the same company as Free People, and they used to carry a bunch of my jewelry in 2014/2015. They offered to reorder some of my other hoops they were carrying, but at a fraction of the wholesale price. I couldn't swing it and still cover expenses, so I declined. These hoops were pictured in that email exchange, as well as being present on every line sheet they've received and used to place orders. I've been resisting the urge to post this because I didn't think it was worth wasting the energy on it, but every time I see an anthro ad pop up in my feed I get a little ragey and lose some energy, so I guess it's time for a public anger purge. I know there are more important things going on in the world, so I'm gonna get this off my chest so I can move on to them〰️ #whatsgood #anthropologie #adventuresincopyright #knockoffs #womanowned #gobacktopartycitywhereyoubelong

A post shared by Laurel Hill (@hellolaurelhill) on Dec 3, 2017 at 7:28pm PST

In an angry post to her Instagram, the artist wrote, “WHAT THE FUCK @anthropologie. This is so rude. I’m a person! You’re a collective of people! Somewhere in there, someone was like “WOW we like these earrings but we don’t want to support the designer or living wages or being decent humans so please send this ‘inspo’ pic of the original design to our factory overseas for cheap manufacture.” DUDES COME ON. In the spirit of human-to-human interaction, I tried reaching out to the buyer a few times and… crickets. I honestly expected more.”

Unfortunately, the big guy profiting off the little guy like this happens quite often, and the artists whose work was co-opted often don’t have the means to fight back, so they have to resort to social media. As of now, it appears Anthropologie has removed their version of the earrings from their site, which is a great first step, but hopefully, they issue a public apology and Hill sees some form of compensation. Your move, Anthropologie.

What’s your opinion on Anthropologie’s actions? Discuss over @BritandCo!

(Photos via Josh Brasted, Eugene Gologursky/Getty)