# Project Description DupeShield Esha Iyer Summary Final work I’m a London-based marketing professional specializing in the intersection of creativity, data, and design. Having completed my MSc in Fashion Design Management at the London College of Fashion (UAL), I focus on how innovation, sustainability, and digital strategy can redefine the future of the fashion industry. The development of the app DupeShield is centered on a human and research-driven approach that combines design process insights from fashion, law, and digital innovation. The project’s methodology aimed to bridge the gap between the creative and legal worlds, making intellectual property protection accessible, engaging, and emotionally supportive for independent designers. I’m a London-based marketing professional specializing in the intersection of creativity, d... College London College of Fashion Course MA Fashion Design Management Graduation year 2025 DupeShield is a pioneering digital platform designed to help independent fashion designers safeguard their creativity against the growing phenomenon of dupe culture, where affordable lookalikes imitate original designs without legal repercussions. Developed as both an educational and practical solution, DupeShield combines legal resources, AI-driven detection tools, and community support to give designers control over their intellectual property, visibility, and confidence. Final work DupeShield DupeShield exists to fill a critical gap in the fashion industry: the lack of accessible legal guidance and protection for small or emerging designers. Many creatives face emotional and financial losses when their designs are copied and sold cheaply online. DupeShield’s mission is to democratize IP protection, transforming complex legal processes into intuitive, actionable steps through an engaging digital experience. Key features include: Tiered Legal Support System DupeShield provides a scalable three-tier legal structure: Tier 1 (DIY): Templates and guides for copyright, trademark, and design registration. Tier 2 (Assisted): Lawyer-reviewed letters and consultation services. Tier 3 (Premium): Direct partnerships with IP firms for complete legal representation and settlement guidance. This system ensures accessibility for designers at every financial level. AI Dupe Scanner A built-in AI tool scans online platforms to detect potential design duplicates. The scanner provides similarity scores and verifiable data, giving designers tangible proof to support takedown requests and legal claims. Automated Takedown and Tracking Users can generate DMCA takedown notices and cease-and-desist letters automatically using customizable templates. A tracking dashboard records case progress, stores evidence, and manages deadlines securely. Blockchain Verification Designs can be timestamped and recorded using blockchain technology, offering immutable proof of creation and ownership. Each upload functions as a verifiable digital certificate of authenticity, helping designers establish originality and consumer trust. Learning and Community Hub DupeShield includes an educational space with lessons on IP rights, marketing, and platform policies. A community forum connects designers globally, fostering collaboration, emotional support, and shared experiences in handling dupe-related issues. Preventative Media Tools The platform also offers guidance on watermarking and metadata embedding to prevent casual copying on social media. Designers can learn to post strategically and protect their digital visibility. Research and process Why Now? Formulating research shows how dupe culture is infiltrating the industry and also highlights the gaps in what the industry needs. The image h ighlights key statistics and insights demonstrating how imitation products known as “dupes” have become a global phenomenon, disrupting independent designers and established brands alike. Reddit Forums - Designers Real Problems Presents real-world examples of independent fashion designers who have experienced their work being duplicated by larger fast fashion platforms. It includes screenshots from Reddit threads where designers share personal stories of discovering their best-selling products copied and resold on other sites, such as Shein. The highlighted comments illustrate how creatives express frustration and seek advice from online communities about filing copyright or DMCA complaints. Share this project DupeShield is a pioneering digital platform designed to help independent fashion designers safeguard their creativity against the growing phenomenon of dupe culture, where affordable lookalikes imitate original designs without legal repercussions. Developed as ... A link to this page has been added to your clipboard Browse related work Digital Experiences AppDesign Education