Did J.Crew Borrow a Pattern {or two?}

"Thanks!" to ZanyAZ & Nancy, who let us know about the "J.Crew vs. Sister Parish?" post over at the Elements of Style blog.

The post questions the inspiration behind the print for the Arrowhead Ikat Underwire Top (Item 82190; $58.00). J.Crew's product page mentions: "We fell in love with this Indian woodblock print—a striking graphic our design team discovered on an antique swatch and recolored in a modern azure hue."

However, design center Sister Parish has a Burma print (click here) that shares a striking resemblance the the Arrowhead Ikat design of J.Crew. (The SP print is shown below as well.)

So is this a case of J.Crew not realizing the print is being used elsewhere? I do not know my patterns, but could this be a common block print? Or is this a total rip-off with a fabricated back story? Not really sure.

But another savvy commentator in the "J.Crew vs. Sister Parish?" post mentioned: "Wow. Remember J.Crew’s “fanfare” print that they supposedly found in a Florida vintage store? Total knockoff of Florence Broadhurst’s “fingers” design."

So I took a look and found that the Florence Broadhurst’s Fingers Design (shown on the left) does look similar with J.Crew's Jules Dress in Fanfare (Item 70216; $188.00). J.Crew's states that they were "Inspired by a bold print our designers spotted on a shirtdress from the '60s, this one-of-a-kind pattern puts a fresh spin on the chic shift." Hmmm...

Kate Spade is currently offering the Florence Broadhurst Fingers Bon Shopper (style pxru3506; $198.00). Not only do they use the design from Florence Broadhurst, but credit the source properly: "we've long admired the graphic prints (and colorful personality) of australian artist florence broadhurst. this season, we've adorned our all-purpose bon shopper with broadhurst's iconic fingers pattern, making it the perfect carryall for all your sunny day adventures."

Perhaps J.Crew has some explaining to do...

What are your thoughts on the similarities between J.Crew and the other sources for prints? Do you think J.Crew knowingly created similar prints? Please share! :)