Shein Design Theft Controversy: Small Brands Speaking Out
Qui Joacin
4 hours ago
6 min read
Why so many artists and small fashion brands say their work ended up on Shein — and what it means for conscious shoppers.
Businesses Shein Stole Designs From: The Complete List -ethically-dressed
Shein Design Theft Controversy: Let’s Talk About It
Okay friends, we need to have a real talk about Shein.
If you’ve ever shopped there, you already know the appeal — trendy clothes, super low prices, and endless options. But behind those $8 tops and viral TikTok hauls, there’s been a growing conversation for years about Shein design theft and how it affects small creators.
And honestly? The stories are hard to ignore.
So What’s Actually Happening?
Many independent designers and artists have publicly shared that their original designs showed up on Shein’s site looking nearly identical.
We’re not talking about “inspired by.”We’re talking about same colors, same patterns, same details.
Some creators say they spent weeks or even months designing pieces — only to see similar versions sold at a fraction of the price.
Reportedly, this doesn’t just happen with clothing. Artists have also claimed their illustrations appeared on:
Phone cases
Wall art
Stickers
Sweaters
Accessories
For small businesses, competing with Shein’s pricing is nearly impossible.
Why Small Creators Struggle to Fight Back
Here’s the tough part.
Legal action is expensive and complicated, especially across international borders. Many small brands simply don’t have the resources to take on a giant company.
And fashion law itself has loopholes. In the U.S., clothing is considered a “useful item,” which limits copyright protection unless a design element can stand alone as art.
That gray area makes it harder for designers to win cases.
Still, some artists have tried.
Joella Crafts Crochet designer Joanna Cosentino sells things like crochet patterns, plushies, bags, clothing and hats. Follow her on Instagram. Based in New York, United States
The Lawsuits You Might Have Heard About
In 2023, several independent designers filed a lawsuit accusing Shein of copying their work. Their lawyers argued it was part of a pattern of behavior.
The company has faced multiple intellectual property complaints over the years, though outcomes vary and cases can take a long time.
Important note: these are allegations reported by designers and media outlets, and not every claim results in a legal ruling. But the volume of complaints has definitely sparked industry-wide conversations.
Bailey Prado They had 45 designs stolen. They offer crochet accessories and womenswear. Based in Los Angeles, United States
Why This Matters for Shoppers
This isn’t about guilt-tripping anyone.
It’s about awareness.
When you buy from small creators:
✔ You’re paying for real labor
✔ You’re supporting someone’s creativity
✔ You’re getting better quality
✔ You’re often making a more sustainable choice
Fast fashion prices can make ethical pricing feel “expensive,” but the reality is that fair wages, materials, and production costs add up.
Elexiay Crochet and knitwear brand (dresses, tops, skirts and accessories). Follow them on Instagram. Based in Nigeria
A Simple Way to Support Original Designers
You don’t have to overhaul your entire wardrobe overnight.
Small steps matter:
Follow independent brands on social media
Credit artists when you discover them
Shop small when you can
Think twice before impulse-buying ultra-cheap pieces
Even sharing a creator’s work helps.
Elizations Knitwear designer Eli H. currently has no products for sale, but you can follow her new Instagram. Based in Sweden
The Bigger Conversation
Shein didn’t create the fast-fashion system — it just perfected it.
The real issue is how quickly trends move and how cheaply they’re reproduced.
Somewhere in the middle is where the future of fashion will likely land.
And honestly? The more people talk about it, the more pressure there is for change.
Final Thoughts (Friend-to-Friend)
If you love fashion, you probably love creativity too. And creativity deserves respect.
No brand is perfect, and no shopper is perfect either. But being informed helps you make choices that align with your values.
That’s all this conversation is really about.
Indie Child Handmade to order crochet & knitwear. Based in Manchester, the United Kingdom
Moon Chain Crochet designer who sells crochet patterns. This pink top was made by PurlsPH, using Moon Chain‘s pattern. Based in Sydney, Australia
Florentine Röell She has no products for sale, as far as I could find, but you can follow her on Instagram
AMIIBARI Knitwear and crochet label. Handmade by an independent designer. Follow AMIIBARI on Instagram. Based in the United States
GRAXKNITS Run by Aurélie Sutter. You can shop her products at different places, below is one link. Check her Instagram page to see other webshops where her products are available. Based in Lausanne, Switzerland
Dear Ingenue Run by knitwear designer Hannah Mann. She sells knitting patterns
Maison Cleo Sustainable brand that uses only leftover fabrics from French Couture Houses and factories. Based in France
LOUD BODIES Size inclusive sustainable womenswear brand. Based in Romania
Night Whisper Size-inclusive Lolita brand. Based in the United States
Gloomth This Canadian brand offers victorian grunge fashion. Based in Canada
Baiia Sustainable women’s swimwear brand. Based in Australia
The Star & Garter Boutique Boutique for showgirl costumes & performance clothing. Based in the United Kingdom
Transformations by Tracy Designer and content creator who sells sewing patterns, intimate apparel and silk dresses. Check out her YouTube channel. Based in New York, United States
PopFlex Workout wear designed by content creator Blogilates® (Cassey Ho). They offer clothing, equipment, accessories and stationery. Based in the United States
Wilde Mode Sustainable underwear and loungewear brand. Based in Scotland, United Kingdom
Run & Follow
Small sustainable brand that offers seasonless and modular clothing (clothing that can be worn in different ways).Based in New York City, United States
Sincerely Ria Black owned luxury womenswear brand. Based in Los Angeles, United States
Veronica Velveteen Run by Fern Davey who makes lingerie and size inclusive clothing. Based in Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Tribe Tropical Swim & beach wear label for women, men & kids. Based in Queensland, Australia
Emma Warren Brand that offers sweaters, T-shirts and accessories with embroidered designs. Based in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Candy Trap Harajuku fashion & Decora accessories designed by artist and content creator cybr.grl. Based in Arizona, United States
Kristin Mallison Designer Kristin Mallison makes corsets, skirts and dresses from vintage and antique tapestries and upholstery fabrics. Based in New York, the United States
Maggie Stephenson This artist and illustrator for magazines, advertising and other publishers sells things like canvases, prints, wall decorations and posters. Follow her on Instagram. Based in Florida, United States
Berry Cute Studio They sell things like apparel, keychains, tote bags, washi tapes, stickers and plushies of Bella the strawberry cow. Based in Los Angeles, United States
Tiina Menzel Her art was stolen by Shein six times in less than a year. She sells things like prints, stickers, bookmarks, keychains and postcards. Based in Germany
Elora Pautrat She says her art was stolen around 10 times. She sells things like prints, canvases, phone cases, tapestries, apparel, home decor, bags and stickers
Sugar Lich Art and lifestyle brand centered around cottagecore, women, and the forest. They sell things like apparel, buttons, clay magnets, enamel pins, patches, phone grips, prints, stationery and stickers. Based in Tennessee, United States
Vanessa Bowman Oil painter who exhibits in galleries in the UK, and sells prints, greeting cards, notebooks and postcards. Based in the United Kingdom
Valfré Run by contemporary artist Ilse Valfré. She sells things like home goods, smoke products, bags, keychains, hats, stationery and apparel. Based in Mexico and Los Angeles, United States
Danny Brito This artist sells things like vinyl decals, apparel, vinyl stickers, greeting cards, prints and jewelry. Follow him on Instagram. Based in Florida, United States
Sugar & Sloth Run by Anita Perry. They sell self-care gifts, stationery and tools for coping with anxiety, overwhelm & ADHD. Based in the United Kingdom
Gemma Keith Designs Run by textile designer and artist Gemma Keith. She sells gifts and homeware, like cards, cushions, tea towels, mugs and cotton bags. Based in the United Kingdom
Hooked By Bex This designer sells crochet gifts and decorations, and also some pins, stickers, cards and a tote bag. Based in the United Kingdom
Little Legs Fabric This company sells fabrics and haberdasheries. They bought the print for this specific fabric from the artist DachsDesign. Based in the United Kingdom
Petite Pastels offers handmade vegan soy candles, including this Fruit/Froot Loops cereal candle. Follow them on Instagram. Based in the United Kingdom
Audry Rose One of the signature designs of this jewelry brand was copied. The original ring has ethically sourced natural stones while Shein used cheap synthetic stones. Based in the United States
Mysticum Luna This Gothic Jewellery brand mostly sells jewellery, but also some home items and clothing. Based in the United Kingdom
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