Taylor Swift pledges donation to Black business owner after she's accused of ripping off design for "Folklore" merchandise
As the music on Taylor Swift's latest album, "Folklore," continues to receive praise on social media, the merchandise for her latest release has come under fire. Amira Rasool, the founder of Black-owned retailer The Folklore, has accused Swift of ripping off the company's logo for album merchandise — and now, Swift's team is taking action.
View this post on InstagramThis morning, it came to my attention that musician #TaylorSwift is selling merchandise to go along with her new album ‘Folklore’. She is currently selling merchandise with the words "The Folklore" printed on them. Based on the similarities of the design, I believe the designer of the merch ripped off my company's logo. I am sharing my story to bring light to the trend of large companies/celebrities copying the work of small minority-owned business owners. I am not going to let this blatant theft go unchecked. Please tag @diet_prada and @thefashionlaw under the post and share this on Twitter and IGz #TheRealFolklore #TheFolklore Original logo designed by @cainecasket
A post shared by Amira Rasool (@amirarasool) on
Rasool posted about the similar logos on her Instagram page last week. Her company is "an online concept store delivering Africa & the diaspora's top contemporary designer brands," according to its Instagram.
Since then, Swift's merchandise appears to have dropped "the" from its Folklore branding. On Thursday, Swift tweeted at Rasool, saying that she will make a contribution to Rasool's company and donate to the soon-to-launch Black in Fashion Council, which, according to its website, "was founded to represent and secure the advancement of black individuals in the fashion and beauty industry."
Amira, I admire the work you’re doing and I’m happy to make a contribution to your company and to support the Black in Fashion Council (launching on 8/3) with a donation 💗@thefolklore @amirarasool @bifcglobal #blackinfashioncouncil
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 30, 2020
InStyle reported that Rasool said that her lawyer has been in contact with Swift's manager over the merchandise, and that the team took "swift action" to correct the problem. After the merchandise was altered, Rasool commended Swift and her team "for recognizing the damage the merchandise caused to my company's brand."
"I recognize that she has been a strong advocate for women protecting their creative rights, so it was good to see her team is on the same page," Rasool tweeted.
Rasool did not immediately respond to CBS News' request for comment.
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Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.
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