Draya Michele Responds to Allegations of Stealing a Swimsuit Design

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Draya Michele she didn’t play games while protecting the reputation of her swimsuit company! I Mint Swim the inventor issued receipts for his previous designs after the Barbados designer Chenique Janine accused her of stealing one of her swimsuits.

Draya took to social media to clarify how she has managed her business since launching Mint Swim in 2011.

Here’s What the Barbados Designer Claims

According to Chenique Janine’s website, Janine is based in Bridgetown, Barbados, and has “over 10 years of experience” in swimwear fashion, especially pieces that are handmade to order.

On Thursday (August 15), Chenique shared a 35-second TikTok video detailing her design theft lawsuit against Draya and Mint Swim. In the text, he explained that he saw her and introduced himself to Michele on May 28, 2022, “at a famous beach restaurant in Barbados.” She offered one of her swimsuits as a “gift,” and Michele accepted it, giving her hotel details.

“Being a designer who does everything by hand, I didn’t have a lot of swimwear that I could just grab and give to her. So I went into my studio and made two swimsuits for her, and left them at her hotel just before midnight. The next day she sent photos of the swimwear and tagged my business page, which I was grateful for.”

Now, the Barbados designer says Draya is selling a “Kiki” swimsuit that is “exactly like” the one-piece she gave to the owner of Mint Swim.

“As a small businessman, this is more than damaging, for many reasons. Every single swimsuit my clients have received has been made by me. I don’t have the money or resources at this stage to mass produce to the level of him and other fast fashion brands who have stolen my designs in the past. He didn’t even go so far as to suggest cooperation. Some of you may not see anything wrong with this. But this is my bread and butter. This is how I make a living,” wrote Chenique.

@itsokaytobeunique

From the moment I started designing I had a list of people I would like to see wearing my swimwear and Draya Michele was one of them. On May 28, 2022, while having lunch at a beachside restaurant in Barbados, I saw a familiar face and alerted a group of friends. Knowing that it was my dream, my friends encouraged me to ask Draya if she could accept the offer from me, which I did reluctantly (because I’m shy). When I talked to him, he gave me the details of where he lives and told me to leave it at the hotel. Being a designer who does EVERYTHING by hand alone, I didn’t have a bunch of swimwear that I could just grab and give to her. So I went into my studio and made two swimsuits for her and put them in her hotel just before midnight. The next day she sent photos of the swimwear and tagged my business page, which I thanked. Fast forward to 2024. Draya has now produced a swimsuit with the name “Kiki” under her brand “Mintswim” that is exactly the same as the swimsuit I gave her. No, not as a collaboration but as a “new” piece for his 2024 collection. As a small business owner this is beyond devastating, for several reasons. Every single swimsuit my clients have received has been made by me. I don’t have the money or resources at this stage to mass produce to the level of him and other fast fashion brands who have stolen my designs in the past. He didn’t even go so far as to suggest cooperation. Some of you may not see anything wrong with this. But this is my bread and butter. This is how I make a living. This is not a post to “shame” him but to raise awareness of the impact actions like this have on the “little man”. I’m tired of feeling like I’m doing something wrong because I’m still working on finding someone to match my swimwear, sell it cheap and make it accessible to more people. Can we as women lift each other up when the opportunity arises instead of intentionally / unintentionally tearing each other down? Support other women who are trying to get ahead… she did a great job with her post and respect but she doesn’t allow anyone the right to steal someone else’s intellectual property. #storytime #designer #smallbusiness #bajan #caribbean #influencer #barbados #drayamichele

♬ original sound – Nique💎

How Draya Michele responded to Chenique Janine’s claims

Less than a day after Chenique Janine blasted her, Draya Michele responded via Instagram Stories in a series of posts. First, he shared a video of Janine, encouraging her followers to “watch the whole thing.” She then said the designer was “right” for giving her swimwear, but “wrong” about her “stealing the design.”

Afterwards, she also admitted that she accepted the gifted swimsuits and wore them because they were “beautiful” and she “appreciated” Chenique’s “closeness” to her.

Draya revealed that she has been in business since 2011 and often remixes her “own styles and styles.” He followed up by sharing images of a 2016 design called ‘Sam’ which is said to have sold over 13,000 units. He then shared videos of another style called ‘Bunny’ which he released in May 2022.

“In 2024, I combined the front of one design with the back of another. Both are my original designs, and added a clasp. And I called it Kiki,” wrote Draya. “What I have done is remix my previous styles to get a new twist. It often repeats itself. That’s how it goes.”

In another post, he added that stealing is not something he “could feel confident doing” at this point in his career. Additionally, he addressed Chenique directly, calling him “a great designer.”