With so much spotlight on the ‘cheap knock-offs’, where small designers are accused of imitating big ones, it seems people are less inclined to believe the reverse. But sure enough, many well known chain stores are stealing ideas from smaller companies. Since the advent of the internet and more specifically, online stores, the ease of access to a plethora of creative visions has made brand identity more important than ever. Lindsay White, founder of online store Made by White is living proof of this. After a customer tip-off, the Sydney designer was made aware of a copycat version of her Made by White ‘Red Riding Hood 2-Part Brooch’. The cheap imitation was by UK mega-store Topshop, who had just opened up their Flagship store in Sydney. Though Topshop is not the only perpetrator, unfortunately many chain stores can be accused of taking advantage of independent visionaries. Through her site White garnered much support and advice from others who had experienced the same ordeal. Hopefully, as more light is shed on this often overlooked issue, more control will be in the hands of independent designers. Sites like You Thought We Wouldn’t Notice are doing a good job at naming and shaming, but more needs to be done. Although Topshop removed the copycat Made In White item, White was not compensated. Photos of the original Made by White brooch and the Topshop copycat here.