By Osagie Alonge
A few weeks ago, we reported that Nigerian controversial rapper Michael Stephen better known as Ruggedman had re-packaged his 20th September Wear (or T.S.W) with an array of shoes and accessories. Well, there might just be some more controversy for the rapper as allegations of design theft have been thrown at him.
The hullabaloo all started on the micro-blogging site Twitter on Friday, September 21, 2011 as a New York based Nigerian lady with the Twitter handle @KingAqua05 accused Ruggedman of stealing an upcoming designer, Natischa Harvey’s shoe designs. @KingAqua05 went on to explain that Ruggedy’s newest collection was jacked from Harvey’s 2010 collection called ‘Fever Shoes by Natischa Harvey’.
@KingAqua05’s tweets read: ‘WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW ruggedman STOLE his ENTIRE shoe collection from Fevershoes…WOW’. ‘WOW @Ruggedybaba you no try at all o. You STOLE your ENTIRE shoe collection from Natischa Harvey’s Fever Shoes… WOW really tho????’
She continued ‘I know Fever shoe are not super popular, but still come on! anh anh. He wasn’t even subtle about it’. ‘He didn’t even change the colour and tweak the design a little’.
Within minutes Ruggedman responded to her tweets: ‘I tot to jst ignore u bt decided to speak to u a bit let u know dat cos u av mouth, doesn’t mean u speak all d time’. ‘pple like u r so quick to jump at a chance to run someone down with the negativity, u fail to reason 1st b4 acting. I know ur type’. ‘I only got one word for you ‘customising’. Try n figure d rest out for urself cos i cnt tell u ma trade secret’.
Investigations made by our reporters show that Ruggedman’s collection strikes a serious resemblance to Natischa Harvey’s 2010 collection. Harvey’s official website www.fevershoes.com showcases a vast collection (which were released in 2010) of the same kind of shoes Ruggedman released a few weeks ago.
However, Ruggedman still insists his designs are not stolen. ‘They were customized for me; I’ve been working with someone outside Nigeria. Those designs are from somewhere else. I’m allowed to customize with my name’, Ruggedy told Nigerian Entertainment Today during a telephone conversation.
And why was the re-launch of T.S.W which was slated for September 25 at The Hub Media Store in Lekki postponed? Ruggedy says he’s still working on a few details. ‘I have also started building from scratch’, he added.
Efforts to reach Natischa Harvey as at the time of this report proved abortive as our E-mails to her have not been replied.
18 comments
Very funny. N who says Natischa Harvey conceptualized these designs originally? When it comes to fashion, it’s usually re-invented so both might have striking resemblance but definitly not the same. My opinion.
I doubt if Rugged could dabble into thing(s) dat he knew little or nothing about it’s legal implications. Just crossing my fingers and watching as events unfold.
People with joblesness,what concern dat stupid girl with another person progress…….nawao na you Yoruba people they call (solo) rugedy God is ur stenght
This is a complete copy!!. its too easy to see the striking resemblance. its known in the world of fashion that you can make designs and they’ll look alike, in such cases, you can give props or just say the earlier designs inspired the new ones. but to outrightly copy and deny d obvious is down right Idiotic!!!. Ruggedy, stick to what you are good at, insulting and abusing people every day!!!. ever wondered why u never blow? when every new comer in the industry is blowing big time?…ur plenty BSs, issues, fights, etc have allowed guys that came behind you like Banky, even Wizkid etc to outshine you in the industry.
word of advise, u don’t have to struggle too hard to be what God wants you to be, relax, look inward and re-invent yourself and you’ll def make it. not by abusing or stealing designs etc….. i’m expecting a tongue lashing from you for this sha oo, cos knowing you, you’ll definitely make a track of this and dedicate it to getting back @me. hope it sells sha?. lol.
its so annoying when people always want to run you down when they have the latest information that you are up and making it.its simple….apporoach him and hav a discussion wit him….not going online accussing someone of stealing ur designs.well lets get to the bottom of this and make peeps hapi.
Good Luck said when a thing like this is happening you watch as scenario unfolds, speak out only when it improves silence
A litle bit resemblance, but at least Ruggedman should have used another way in reinventing his own. But is a fashion things and anybody can reinvent as he likes.
its a fact dat there is little or no copy cat in d design.Ruggedman is our own naija rapper and designer,we jst gat support his effort. As4me, there is a difference in d shoes and dats d style and quality.Rugged shoes last long.dats wat i know.Naija lets luv ourselves and help each other. D vry best ruggedy baba.
its a fact dat there
is little or no copy
cat in d
design.Ruggedman is
our own naija rapper
and designer,we jst
gat support his
effort. As4me, there
is a difference in d
shoes and dats d
style and
quality.Rugged shoes
last long.dats wat i
know
jst kip going no stumbling block shud com ur way
Wassup with copy copy and overlifting. Outside naija,copyright law go be your main issue,and I sure say ………
mke dem free u ma guy!!y sme pple no dey like 2 c man progress.no mind dem jooooor!!!!
Ruggedy…na wa for you o. Anyway I’m not surprised. Na so so controversy you sabi. Grow up man and be original. It doesn’t hurt.
There is a 4×4 here in the UK by VAUXHALL called FRONTERA and the same jeep sells in the USA as ISUZU Rodeo……….so who stole what?
PATENT ,people, PATENT !!!!
People slagging off RUGGEDY…….were the designs patented by FEVER shoes?
If they were, then RUGGEDY stole the designs- simple as !!!!.If they weren’t, i hail the guy……very sharp marketing instinct/manouver.
There are worse things going on in the world. PLEASE PEOPLE
Neither of them should be talking. They should both be quiet. Those shoe designs are copies of several established designers including Gianmarco Lorenzi and others. Copies of the original designs are easily bought from any Chinese wholesaler with your name stamped on it which it seems to me is what Rugged and Fever have both done.
Those shoes are all cheap imitations of high end luxury shoe line Gianmarco Lorenzi as someone already stated. Besides, why the hell are these people starting shoe lines when they ain’t even shoe designers? no professional training whatsoever!!
i guess people just love,dis rugged guy dat is y ppl listen, 4 any fresh news abt him to comment. I bet if dies Nt nw ,when u mention hip hop in nija his name wil b at d fore front and u talk of business hmm! D guy is busines oriented. I ve so much to say bt let pack here.
WTF??? ALL of these designs are actually stolen from Gianmarco Lorenzi – http://fullcourtpumps.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Nicki-Minaj-in-Gianmarco-Lorenzi.jpg