Veekee James isn’t just a Nigerian fashion designer, she’s a fashion movement. The bridal dresses, the corset fits, the elegance, many of her designs have become iconic and viral. But when a Senegalese designer called King Corset recreated one of her exact designs, filmed a documentary about it, and gave no credit whatsoever, Veekee snapped.
And you can’t blame her.
But then, just like every Nigerian situation, the internet turned on her. Some called her bitter. Some said the “copied” version looked better. Others accused her of being dramatic since “people copy you all the time and you didn’t say anything.” But here’s the point: those people gave her credit. This one didn’t.
So now let’s ask the real question… Can You Copyright a Dress? Yes—and no
Under Section 2(1)(c) of the Nigerian Copyright Act 2022, artistic works are protected by copyright. This includes drawings, works of craftsmanship, and yes, fashion sketches, if they are original and fixed in a medium. That means once Veekee designed that corset, made the sketch, and published it (on Instagram or in a lookbook), it became eligible for copyright protection.
But in most legal systems (including Nigeria), copyright protects the design sketch, not necessarily the final sewn dress. If the dress is identical, and it can be shown that the second designer saw the original design, then yes we have an infringement.
What About Senegal? Can Veekee Sue There?
Senegal is a signatory to the Berne Convention, a global copyright agreement signed by 181 countries, including Nigeria. According to Article 5 of the Convention, a creative work produced in one member country must be given the same protection in all other member countries.
So yes, Veekee can sue in Senegal, if she wants. The problem? Most African designers never do. Why? Because international lawsuits are expensive, take time, and require you to hire a legal team in another country. That’s why most just shout online and move on.
But That Doesn’t Mean She’s Jealous
Let’s clear this up, this is not about jealousy. Veekee didn’t complain because the knockoff was better. She complained because someone took her work, made a whole film about it, and didn’t give her one line of credit.
If someone took your story, reworded it, and sold it to Netflix, wouldn’t you be upset?
You see, intellectual property (IP) is not about beauty, it’s about ownership and credit. The Berne Convention, Nigerian Copyright Act, and dozens of global treaties exist to ensure that creatives don’t get robbed just because their work is “popular.”
So Why Don’t African Designers Sue?
Because it’s expensive. It’s emotionally draining. It takes years. Many of our designers don’t even register their designs or sketches. Fashion law in Africa is still growing. industries. We barely have lawyers who specialise in fashion law.
But if this trend continues, we may need to start building those departments fast.
What Can Designers Do Instead?
Register Your Work: Register your sketches with a copyright office. In Nigeria, this is the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).
Stamp Dates: Post your design first. Timestamped uploads on social media can act as proof.
Work With Lawyers: If you can’t afford a full lawyer, at least consult one before releasing a major collection.
Speak Up (Like Veekee Did): If someone copies your design, make it public. Name and shame can sometimes work where the law hasn’t.
If It’s Yours, Own It
This isn’t about “whose corset looks better.” It’s about giving credit where credit is due. It’s about respecting creative effort. It’s about sending a message to the fashion industry, African or not, that copying without acknowledgment is theft, not flattery.
So next time someone drops that tired line, “Oh please, it’s just fashion” remind them: fashion is business, and business has rules.
