Pakistani Designer Faiza Saqlain Accuses Maya Ali's Fashion Label of Copying Her Designs

Renowned Pakistani designer Faiza Saqlain has made a bold public accusation against actress-turned-designer Maya Ali and her fashion label MAYA Prêt‑À‑Porter, claiming that several of the brand’s recent pieces bear an uncanny resemblance to her own earlier work.

Saqlain shared side-by-side comparisons, pointing out that three specific looks from Maya’s label seem to mirror her earlier collections almost entirely — from the cut and embellishments to the model posing against similar backdrops. 

Saqlain asked rhetorically whether she should feel flattered by what she describes as the label being “inspired” by her designs — while clearly conveying that she views the situation as uncomfortably close to plagiarism. She publicly called on Maya Prêt-À-Porter to “come up with something of [their] own” rather than relying on what she believes to be existing designs being repurposed. 

Among the highlighted alleged duplications is a bridal outfit from Maya’s “Bus Tum” collection released earlier this month, which Saqlain says features embellishments very similar to a piece of hers from 2021. She also called attention to a velvet ombré sari from the label’s latest “Viola Luxe” line, noting striking parallels with her own earlier sari: the thin silver border, the gradient colour, and even the model styling.

Saqlain further noted that the final instance in her comparison involves a black peshwas from the Viola Luxe collection, worn by what appears to be the same model she used for her 2023 catalogue shoot — a detail she argues adds weight to her claim. 

The fashion community and social media users have weighed in as well. Saqlain reshared stories from fans and colleagues applauding her work ethic and raising concerns about the alleged copying. One user described the bridal outfit as “her ode to her mother” and expressed disappointment at seeing a version of it appear elsewhere. Others lamented that after years of “pure hard work” by Saqlain, the situation felt disheartening. 

At present, Maya Ali has not publicly responded to these allegations — neither on her personal social media nor the Maya Prêt-À-Porter brand page. As this story unfolds, it raises broader questions around originality, intellectual property and creative credit within Pakistan’s fashion industry. 

This article was previously published on omanmoments. To see the original article, click here