Fisayo Longe, owner and director of fashion brand KAI has accused Boohoo of copying the company's designs.

She has now taken to social media to inform their followers that they have issued Boohoo with a cease and desist letter and said the following: "KAI has sent @boohoo a Cease & Desist Letter requiring that they stop selling products that unlawfully infringe our copyright.

We have also demanded £30,000 in damages plus legal costs. They have until 22nd February to comply."

The History of 'Gaia' and Boohoo

Fisayo went on to detail the background of the story and made her feelings towards Boohoo very clear. She spoke about a print designed by herself called 'Gaia', which took her more than 3 years to complete.

She went on to claim that Boohoo has allegedly copied the design entirely, she tweeted stating: "Boohoo has since launched its own Gaia rip-off. Led by Mahmud Kamani, a billionaire, the Boohoo group owns Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing and others.

As many have complained, they often appropriate designs from small independent brands"She went on to speak about the meaning behind the print and spoke about how unique the concept was: "

For KAI, Gaia is not just colours, lines and patterns. It is soul and identity. We design to for women to feel their most confident. Before we launched the orange colorway in June 2020, I was uncertain about how it would be received. I had never seen a print like it"

Fisayo went on to explain that Boohoo allegedly copying her design is "unacceptable", and that she has obtained design registration in the UK and EU, with the US registration still in the works.She claimed that Boohoo has profited off the ideas, struggles sacrifice and hard work of young black female designers, and are acting in a "racist and sexist" manner.

The fashion designer also spoke about the financial cost of defending her business, and that it is "unaffordable" for many small businesses.Boohoo has not publicly responded to the accusations.