In the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant fashion scene, a local vintage store owner just exposed a major fashion brand for allegedly copying her unique design. Lindsey Hansen, owner of Future Past in the Inner Richmond neighborhood, discovered that Banana Republic had seemingly replicated her handcrafted, upcycled jeans.

Hansen’s original design emerged in spring 2024 when she was repairing a vintage pair of Levi’s 501s. Using traditional Japanese sashiko cross-stitch, she meticulously hand-sewed denim patches onto the thighs and knees, creating a distinctive, sustainable piece that she later sold for $288.

When her employee Jenna Giusto spotted what appeared to be an identical pair of jeans on Banana Republic’s Instagram, selling for $180, the team was stunned. “Our whole ethos is slow fashion,” Giusto explained, expressing frustration at the corporate appropriation of their thoughtful design approach.

The incident highlights a growing tension between fast fashion’s mass production model and the sustainable, repair-focused ethos of local designers. Hansen argues that the problem isn’t just about design theft, but about a broader cultural approach to clothing consumption.

“It’s not a trend,” Hansen emphasized. “We need to repair our clothes, because we just can’t keep consuming clothes the way that we are”. Her statement reflects a critical perspective on fashion’s environmental impact and the importance of mindful consumption.

After the public call-out, Gap Inc. (Banana Republic’s parent company) quickly removed the jeans from their website. A company spokesperson stated they “take their concerns seriously as a brand that supports the local creative community” and are investigating the matter.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle between corporate fashion giants and independent designers, highlighting the Bay Area’s commitment to creative integrity and sustainable fashion practices.

Update: As of publication, the investigation into the design similarity is ongoing.