In this Interline article, Fordham Law Professor Susan Scafidi, founder and director of the Fashion Law Institute, comments on the intersection between “dupe culture” and generative AI designs that mimic high-end fashion aesthetics.
In addition, the rise of “dupe culture,” where consumers hunt for cheaper alternatives to luxury goods, has been accelerated by AI’s ability to generate designs that mimic high-end aesthetics in seconds. While these aren’t always exact replicas, they often capture the look and feel of luxury at a fraction of the price, further eroding the idea of originality as value.
Susan Scafidi, founder and director of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School and one of the leading voices on fashion IP, highlights the evolving perception of design replication: “The diminutive ‘dupe’ has replaced more negative terms like copycat, replica, knock-off and counterfeit.” This trend, buoyed by AI, poses challenges for luxury brands striving to maintain exclusivity and protect their designs, especially as the concept of a “dupe” becomes increasingly mainstream and socially accepted.
Read “Does Fashion Want To Wade Into The AI Copyright Battle?” in The Interline.