Reality TV star and entrepreneur Draya Michele has been embroiled in a swimwear design controversy. A Barbados-based designer recently accused Michele’s swimwear line, Mint Swim, of stealing one of her designs.
The Barbados designer, Chenique Janine, took to social media to share a video about the alleged incident. She claimed to have given Michele two swimwear pieces during a visit to Barbados in 2022. The designer claimed that a specific swimsuit from Mint Swim was a direct copy of one of the gifted items.
According to Chenique Janine’s website, she is based in Bridgetown, Barbados, and has more than “10 years of experience” in swimwear fashion, particularly handmade-to-order pieces.
“Being a designer who does EVERYTHING by hand alone, I didn’t have a bunch of swimsuits I could just grab and give to her. So I went into my studio, made her two swimwear pieces, and dropped them off at her hotel just before midnight. The next day, she posted images of the swimwear and tagged my business page, which I was grateful for.” Chenique shared her design theft accusation against Draya and Mint Swim in the TikTok video.
She further claimed Draya is selling a “Kiki” swimsuit that is an “exact replica” of the one-piece she gave the Mint Swim owner.
“As a small business owner, I find this to be beyond hurtful for several reasons. Every single swimsuit my clients have received is handcrafted by myself. I do not have the finances or resources at this stage to mass produce at the level she and other fast fashion brands who have stolen my designs in the past have. She did not even reach out and suggest a collaboration. Some of you may see absolutely nothing wrong with this. But this is literally my bread and butter. This is how I make my living,” Chenique wrote.
The accusation sparked a flurry of online debates, but Draya refused to let the allegations go unchallenged.
In addition to modeling, acting, and caring for her newborn son, she designs and operates her swimwear line, Mint Swim.
In an interview with Juicy Magazine, she admits that she “mentally checked out” of Basketball Wives and resigned because the money from her swimsuit got to the point where it exceeded the money she makes from the show that made her famous.
As the swimwear design theft allegations spread online, Draya Michele quickly responded through her Instagram stories, determined to set the record straight.
Draya Michele responded with a series of Instagram Stories posts. First, she shared Janine’s video, urging her followers to “watch the full thing.” She then explained that the designer was “correct” in giving her the swimsuits but “incorrect” in accusing her of “stealing a design.”
Later, she stated that she accepted and posted the gifted swimsuits because they were “beautiful,” and she “appreciated” Chenique’s “approach” to her.
Draya stated that she has been in business since 2011 and frequently remixes her “own silhouettes and styles.” She followed up with photos of the ‘Sam’ design from 2016, which allegedly sold over 13,000 units. Then, she shared videos of her ‘Bunny’ style, which she released in May 2022.
