Local designer Gavin Rajah has denied stealing Asian-American designer Chelsea Lui’s designs‚ referring to the allegation as unfounded and defamatory.
He also denied an allegation that he had tried to intimate her or her family.
Taking to Facebook‚ Lui reportedly posted images of her original designs together with screengrabs from Rajah’s magazine feature to show the alleged theft.
“Oh my god. What a shame! South Africa [sic] designer Gavin Rajah stole my pictures and my designs for his interview. I don’t know why this magazine doesn’t check their sources! Feel free to sue me. I’m ready to play. You are ready to play. Let’s play‚” Liu’s post read.
However‚ in a statement issued through his lawyer on Tuesday evening‚ Rajah denied the claims‚ saying they were unfounded and defamatory.
The statement reads: “Gavin Rajah Atelier CC concluded a business agreement with Ms Chelsea Liu during 2015 in which certain monies were paid by her for services rendered by the corporation. As the representative of the corporation‚ I confirm that we complied fully with our obligations which included using images from both ranges to secure international exposure. The business relationship was unsuccessful and to date Ms Liu is still indebted to the corporation. Ms Liu instituted legal action but withdrew it last week. Had she had any basis or prospect of success she would have pursued it. She however has chosen to withdraw the legal proceedings‚ which the corporation defended‚ and rather utilise social media to defame and damage my good name and reputation. I outright deny the unfounded allegations. If Ms Liu believed she had a valid claim she would have pursued it through her legal representatives in South Africa‚ which she has not done. It is correct that I addressed an e-mail to her husband‚ which I did only pursuant to her malicious posts on Facebook‚ to inform him‚ as a courtesy‚ that should these defamatory comments not be withdrawn I would institute proceedings to protect my reputation which may affect her application for citizenship in the USA. I did not attempt to intimidate her or her family and her public comments in this regard are defamatory‚ unfounded and untrue.”
Gavin Rajah denies ‘copy cat’ claims
Local designer Gavin Rajah has denied stealing Asian-American designer Chelsea Lui’s designs‚ referring to the allegation as unfounded and defamatory.
He also denied an allegation that he had tried to intimate her or her family.
Taking to Facebook‚ Lui reportedly posted images of her original designs together with screengrabs from Rajah’s magazine feature to show the alleged theft.
“Oh my god. What a shame! South Africa [sic] designer Gavin Rajah stole my pictures and my designs for his interview. I don’t know why this magazine doesn’t check their sources! Feel free to sue me. I’m ready to play. You are ready to play. Let’s play‚” Liu’s post read.
Also read: Gavin Rajah faces more copycat claims
However‚ in a statement issued through his lawyer on Tuesday evening‚ Rajah denied the claims‚ saying they were unfounded and defamatory.
The statement reads: “Gavin Rajah Atelier CC concluded a business agreement with Ms Chelsea Liu during 2015 in which certain monies were paid by her for services rendered by the corporation. As the representative of the corporation‚ I confirm that we complied fully with our obligations which included using images from both ranges to secure international exposure. The business relationship was unsuccessful and to date Ms Liu is still indebted to the corporation. Ms Liu instituted legal action but withdrew it last week. Had she had any basis or prospect of success she would have pursued it. She however has chosen to withdraw the legal proceedings‚ which the corporation defended‚ and rather utilise social media to defame and damage my good name and reputation. I outright deny the unfounded allegations. If Ms Liu believed she had a valid claim she would have pursued it through her legal representatives in South Africa‚ which she has not done. It is correct that I addressed an e-mail to her husband‚ which I did only pursuant to her malicious posts on Facebook‚ to inform him‚ as a courtesy‚ that should these defamatory comments not be withdrawn I would institute proceedings to protect my reputation which may affect her application for citizenship in the USA. I did not attempt to intimidate her or her family and her public comments in this regard are defamatory‚ unfounded and untrue.”