A Japanese manga artist has been a subject of controversy over her latest illustrations that closely resemble one of 55DSL's Fall/Winter 2006 ad photos.
Based on her illustration in “Stand Vessel†manga series, Youka Nitta is obviously a big fan of the clothing brand. Nitta admitted to copying the 55DSL's infamous “Kiss on the Ledge†to come up with her own black and white anime version.
While copying is clearly a violation of intellectual rights for most of us, 55DSL surprisingly took Youka's imitation as a form of flattery. The Diesel subsidiary lightheartedly accepted the artist's apology.
Instead of suing the artist, 55DSL released a statement in its website saying, “Nitta, don't worry, we're not that kind of brand, we consider this a tribute, only the greatest are copied, right?â€
Print Ad Reincarnation
55DSL Ad Photos Traced for Manga Illustrations
Trend Themes
1. Imitation as Flattery - Companies embracing rather than suing over imitation of their products and branding can result in a positive image and increased publicity.
2. Cross-industry Inspiration - Inspiration for creative content can come from unrelated industries and can lead to unique adaptations and collaborations.
3. Retro Branding - Adopting and repurposing past branding and marketing campaigns can appeal to nostalgia and attract a new audience.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Fashion brands can leverage their designs as inspiration for artists and collaborate on creative projects.
2. Anime/manga - Anime and manga artists can draw inspiration from real-world fashion brands to create unique characters and storytelling.
3. Advertising - Brands can recycle past advertising campaigns by adapting them for new forms of media or incorporating them into new marketing strategies.