A fashion controversy is heating up between singer Neha Bhasin and rising fashion influencer Nancy Tyagi, following Nancy’s recent appearance at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. What began as admiration for Nancy’s self-stitched beige ensemble has now turned into a dispute over authenticity and credit, with Neha alleging that the influencer misrepresented the origins of her outfit.
Neha Bhasin Raises Questions on Instagram
On May 18, Neha Bhasin took to Instagram Stories to call out Nancy Tyagi for allegedly claiming credit for a design that wasn’t originally hers. Sharing a side-by-side comparison of her own earlier stage outfit with Nancy’s Cannes ensemble, Neha wrote, “This corset looks too familiar, hmmmm. Just wondering.” She later posted a collage with the caption “Same Same,” suggesting a striking resemblance between the two designs.
Neha further claimed the outfit worn by Nancy was actually purchased from The Source Bombay, a fashion store in Bandra known for renting and selling customized clothing. “I rest my case,” she concluded, posting a story featuring a dress from the same designer.
Fashion Store Confirms Nancy Bought the Dress
Surbhi Gupta, founder and stylist at The Source Bombay, confirmed the claim in a conversation with The Free Press Journal. She revealed that Nancy bought the dress from their Mumbai store for ₹25,000 before heading to Cannes. “Nancy claims she stitched it herself, but she bought it from us. It is our design,” Surbhi clarified. She added that while Nancy may have created the cape, the mini dress itself was not self-stitched.
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Neha Clarifies Her Intentions
Addressing the controversy further, Neha emphasized her respect for hardworking creators. “The intention was not to demean another woman but to state a simple fact,” she wrote. “To call someone else’s work your own will never be okay.”
Neha also applauded The Source Bombay for its journey from humble beginnings to becoming a sought-after label. “Everyone has a story… just because no one’s applauding them does not mean you rob them of their credit,” she added.
Nancy’s Statement and Cannes Look
Meanwhile, Nancy had earlier posted on Instagram that it took her over a month to handcraft the beige outfit, which featured a sweetheart neckline mini dress adorned with pearls, tassels, and crystals, topped with a voluminous cape.
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As the fashion world watches this story unfold, the debate over authenticity and rightful credit in the influencer space continues to gain traction.
