Story Highlights
On January 25, 2026, South African designer Pam Mlunjwana accused Nigerian influencer Ama Reginald of wearing a counterfeit version of her brand’s Tularosa dress. The dispute began after Reginald posted a birthday video listing her luxury items while wearing the contested outfit.
South African designer Pam Mlunjwana publicly called out Nigerian influencer Ama Reginald for wearing an alleged copy of her work. The drama started after Reginald shared videos from her birthday trip.
She wore a cream fringe dress that looked like the popular Tularosa design by MARTHATHEBRAND. The designer spotted the post and immediately flagged the outfit as a knockoff.
The public accusation
Mlunjwana took to Instagram to voice her frustration. She shared side-by-side photos of her original design and the outfit Reginald wore.
The designer did not hold back her feelings regarding the look. She criticized the quality of the dress on Reginald and called it a “very bad copy.”
She also pointed out a perceived double standard in the fashion world. The designer noted that people mock fake bags but ignore stolen clothing designs.
”Weird how people will shame other women for wearing fake Birkins,” she wrote. “But will wear a fake of another black woman’s brand on their birthday with no shame.”
Reginald’s luxury breakdown
Before the call-out, Reginald posted a video detailing her look. She listed her high-end accessories to prove their authenticity to her fans.
She claimed her bag was a Birkin and her watch was an Audemars Piguet. This comes just days after reports that Ama Reginald flaunts N140m Audemars Piguet watch other gifts from King Manny online.
However, she did not attribute the dress to Mlunjwana’s brand. Instead, she stated clearly that the outfit came from a vendor named “Cheddar’s Closet.”
This specific credit seemingly confirmed the designer’s suspicion. The dress was not purchased from the original creator, leading to the public clash.
The copyright conversation
The incident has reignited debates about intellectual property in African fashion. Many followers supported the designer’s right to protect her creative work.
Others felt the call-out dampens the birthday mood. The influencer is no stranger to headlines, as her circle recently made news when Caramel Plug accuses her ex King Manny of stalking and violent acts publicly.
Reginald has yet to respond directly to the designer’s claims. The fashion world now watches to see if she will address the issue.
