It is said that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” but India’s leading fashion designer Rahul Mishra would beg to differ—especially when it comes to blatant design theft.

When Indian celebrities began sporting tigress and floral motifs inspired by the Sundarbans, many assumed it was just another designer trend. These eye-catching designs, however, were first introduced by Mishra at the 2023 Paris Couture Week as part of his acclaimed collection ‘We The People.’

Mishra was pleased to see global celebrities like Mark Zuckerberg wear similar motifs at high-profile events such as Akash Ambani’s wedding because those were his original designs. However, that excitement quickly turned into dismay when similar motifs—poorly executed knockoffs—appeared on talk show host Kapil Sharma, rapper Badshah, and influencer Orry, says Mishra.

“They didn’t wear my designs,” Mishra clarifies. “They wore plagiarised versions. My team keeps an eye out, and seeing my work copied and paraded by such high-profile individuals was shocking.”

Determined not to let it go, Mishra filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against multiple parties for copyright infringement. The court ruled in his favour, issuing an immediate injunction prohibiting the manufacture and sale of copies or any design that closely resembles his original work. The next hearing is set for November 19, 2025, and Mishra says his team has already identified 18 violators, with more expected to be added before the date.

“I’m committed to seeing this through—not just for myself, but for the entire fashion community,” says Mishra. “Half of whatever compensation I receive will go towards educating and training the children of my weavers, artisans, and craftspeople.”

In India, designers have often complained about plagiarism, but few have pursued legal action. Notable exceptions include Suneet Varma, who sued Aki Narula when one of his designs appeared on Rani Mukerji in the film Bunty Aur Babli, and allegations from the late Wendell Rodricks against Payal Khandwala, and Tarun Tahiliani against Renu Tandon. Internationally, one of the most famous plagiarism cases involved Yves Saint Laurent suing Ralph Lauren for copying his iconic tuxedo dress. Saint Laurent won.

Mishra is hoping to set a similar precedent in India. “In France, authorities seize counterfeit luxury products at the port of entry and destroy them. The law moves quickly and decisively. I hope we reach that stage in India, too.”

Beyond personal and financial losses, Mishra worries about the broader implications for the industry. “To sell a fake for ₹20,000, when my embroidery alone costs ₹60,000, they must be cutting corners—possibly using child labour or underpaying workers,” he said. “Some of the people we sent legal notices to have issued apologies, claiming their ignorance. That may be, but all involved will face legal consequences.”

In an industry where many designers’ voice frustration but few take action, Rahul Mishra’s fight against fashion piracy is a bold move—and a wake-up call. “If your work is being copied, don’t just talk about it,” he says. “Get up, go to court, and fight for it.”