Stylist June Ambrose Calls Out Adidas for Copying in New Campaign
June Ambrose is speaking out against adidas for copying a costume she created for Missy Elliott 10 years ago. According to Ambrose, who took to her Twitter account last week to call out the German sportswear giant, rapper Dej Loaf wears a costume in adidas’ most recent Originals campaign that looks a bit too much like the blowup suit finished with black patent leather that Missy Elliott wore in her 1997 debut video, "The Rain."
Ambrose, a bona fide stylist phenomenon, who has worked with everyone from Jay Z and Nas to Pharell and Justin Timberlake on some of the most iconic music videos to date, tweeted: “They say imitation is a form of flattery, however, recognize my original work with @MissyElliott @HypeWilliams #fail #copycats.” She elaborated in a statement to the New York Post, saying: “We did a lot of things with [adidas] and Missy’s brand. I didn’t expect that from [them]. I was insulted. It’s like the big corporation taking advantage … As an artist, collectively as a group… it’s like we’re hidden figures now.”
Jeff Sledge, VP of A&R at Elliott’s record label Atlantic Records, spoke out about the costumes this week: “Missy loves Dej and she’s worked with Adidas, so there’s nothing against them. She just felt hurt the creatives weren’t given proper credit. It’s blatant that it’s Missy’s thing from ‘The Rain.’ They could’ve given some kind of nod or something,”
