Breaking News: Mother Of London Ripped Off by Willow Smith’s Stylist
At the American Music Awards, Willow, Will Smith’s daughter wore a leather armour sleeve. But to our absolute horror, this was not made by the creator of the design. Normally this kind of shameful copycat would disappoint us. But when it is the simply extraordinary works of Mother Of London it makes us livid. There are hardly any pioneers left in this generation, the path of creative progression is dying. So to see an AMBASSADOR, a TRAILBLAZER, someone who is simply GROUNDBREAKING in their field be completely and entirely ripped off. Well, that doesn’t set well with us, at all.
We contacted the designer of the original piece at Mother Of London, who was understandably very upset stating: “this has been very disappointing and a massive blow for my company”
Unconfirmed reports are showing that it is Willow’s stylist, who is the culprit of copying and entirely ripping off the design. We actually have no idea how she though it was possible to get away with this, since that it is such an exact copy and Mother Of London having such a dedicated, loyal following to their outstanding pieces.
Now, quite simply we are not only expecting, but demanding an apology for Mother Of London from the stylist, if we are completely honest we think that compensation is in order. When a true artist and pioneer in the industry who has been creating stunning leather work for the best part of a decade is not given credit for their labour let alone ripped off entirely, well quite frankly it is DISGUSTING.
The Kicker for all of this, is that MOTHER OF LONDON first designed this in 2006 over 4 years ago, the photo used above was taken in 2008, two years ago. Yet some celebrity stylist has tried to rip it off 4 years after conception.
If this whole situation makes you feel as sick as us, then please email us at gossip@stylenoir.co.uk, Tweet us at @stylenoirmag and hashtag #WillowsStylistRipsOffMOL #MotherOfLondon or Comment in the box below. We will feature the best comments/emails and tweets on this post, and update as soon as we know more.
04:04 bst NOTE: Mariel Haenn tweets ” just an fyi, we only dressed Rihanna last nite. I don’t like when people try to credit me for work that’s not mine #justsayin “. Other Reports still suggest Mariel Haenn is to blame.
12:24 BST NOTE: Haute Macabre have printed “The noted celebrity stylist has denied her involvement in a series of emails with Nadya Lev of Coilhouse Magazine. However, considering that these denials came after the knock-off story erupted all over the internet, and not when Haenn was being praised for “her” work by tabloids earlier today, we all find it rather dubious”
18:32pm Weds BST – Mother Of London are meeting tomorrow to resolve issue. We will have more details then.
21:35pm Weds BST – JustJared.com can confirm that Brea Stinson, aka Bstar, was the stylist/designer responsible for the look. Perez Hilton mentions Murial Haenn but now has printed and email denial from her. Stylenoir was informed by Mother Of London themselves on who was to blame. When confirmation comes through we will alter what is necessary.
11:58pm Weds BST – Obviously as things have spiraled and escalated, sources (including the designer herself) thought the stylist to be Haenn. As this is not the case, we apologise for originally printing this, we understand this could have been damaging, but glad this has now been cleared up, as is Mother Of London. Obviously no one wants to blame the innocent. Alas an email to Stylenoir could have clarified that quicker. We can only go on what sources tell us at the time, just like any other press organization. However as we are only one site out of the mass that have run this story, others still have not amended, which we understand adds confusion.
James is the founder and editor of Stylenoir, he is currently obsessed with Anti-Heroes, neo-noir and the ultimate Femme-Fatale.
It’s very hard to prove this in the court of law but I think that Mother of London would have a good case. It’s sad to see that this is what our industry is though:/
Just an FYI, Mariel Haenn may not be the stylist in this case. On her Twitter account she is stating she didn’t dress Willow. It would be unfair to blame her for this if she wasn’t involved. But whomever did this should definitely be be exposed for the bottom-feeder poacher that they are. Mildred deserves recognition for her hard work and innovation!
That sucks…
Side note your font is incredibly hard to follow/read
MOL is LA – why on earth didn’t Willow’s mum not know of this amaZing designer in her own backyard of LA/AND be a Patron and in support of the Arts. Why so brainless and call a stylist? which 1/2 are rather lame anyway.
Unfortunately, this is something that happens ALL the time! All the big names get ripped off by all the fast fashion brands and I even dare to say that the big names rip off the indie designers (where do you think their designers get their inspiration from?) And then indie designers rip off other indie designers! The design world is a scary, scary place to be when you have original ideas you would like to be recognized for!
I wrote Mariel Haenn
about the styling job and this is what she said to me.
mariel.tbd@gmail.com to me, mariel
show details 7:58 PM (3 hours ago)
For the record I did not style Willow last night although I have styled her in the past, can’t take credit for knocking off someone designs. Thank you!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
So who stole the design? It’s amazing that there are people like that who are reaping the benefits of dressing the stars based on the talents and creations of others.
We are waiting on more information! Mother of London is in talks with Mariel Haenn, who now denies she styled the look. One stylist is to blame, and who ever it is, has made a FATAL error.
@ Dangerously Dolly. Obviously a FB post from yourself would be much appreciated for the benefit of defending Mildred and her amazing designs!
Well, One positive thing that has come from this is the publicity Mother Of London is receiving from the little cutie that is Willow. As someone who lives in the London, UK. I didn’t know who MOL was but I sure as hell knew who Willow was :)
And may I introduce myself as a new fan off MOL designs. They are amazing.
they should dress kids as kids, not try to make em up into the next Rhianna’s and Gaga’s. What’s up with the media and main stream trying to rip off creative work from the underground geniuses?!
[...] Mother Of London Ripped Off by Willow Smith’s Stylist | Stylenoir News. [...]
One thing I noted is that Jada and Will are both modelling for her (quite extensively) in her portfolio so she clearly has strong links with the family. I know this is not firm evidence but makes her seem more than likely responsible.
I think its really wonderful that so many people are jumping to the defence to such a talented designer! MOL certainly deserve a sincere apology from whomever is responsible.
Welcome to the world of knockoffs. But it’s a 9 year old, I hate that she is even caught up in that. Blame the stylist, and stop putting Willow in it, she probably didn’t know, and i’m sure her mom didn’t know either.
Also Marilyn, Willow herself says that she idols Rihanna’s Style. Also since you can’t patent clothing it will be hard for them to demand money. #imjustsaying
With all due respect, where does the article “put Willow in it”? She’s a girl, it’s the stylists fault as the article lays out.
Get over it, in that case lawsuits should be flying around the country. People take and remake all the time. MOL this is your time to shine, use this as a positive and brand your name in the United States.
And to say it all, that yellow thing on that baby girl is awkward. Nothing to do with the class of the original. Badly styled, bad colour. Eeww!
Perez Hilton says no such thing. Also, you misspelled the stylists name.
Why are you spreading all this misinformation? I get that you’re trying to protect your friend but you are hurting a lot of innocent people in the process. People who are equally as hard working and talented and as your friend is. That seems really unfair and cruel.
Btw I was at the backstage AMAs. It wasn’t Rob and Mariel.
this greatly saddens me. I assumed that you guys had atleast tried to confirm your information but it seems you hadn’t. I would hope that you print a retraction and hype it up just as much as you did this article. A stylist is only as good as her reputation and you’ve potentially hurt any further clientele for Mariel.
Knocking off a design is reprehensible, but unfortunately becoming the norm. I just didn’t expect it in Hollywood where it would be easily recognized and one would assume the wearer (or in this case the wearer’s parents) could afford.
The party at fault should confess and make a sincere apology to Mother of London.
Next, and I am going to sound like an old biddy, but that outfit doesn’t fit Willow Smith properly. The sleeve is fine, but the body suit is riding up and looks pretty uncomfortable. The sleeve looks fine on the adult model, but really doesn’t work on a child, at least not with the body suit. Maybe with a tee shirt and jeans. – Oh! And the Sleeve must be made by Mother of London!
[...] like the body armour that James from StyleNoir wore for LFW. On speaking to him he told me about this … Not [...]