It’s months of vision, sketching, stitching, sourcing, and refining brought to life by a costume designer with a creative heartbeat behind every seam.

We’re not talking about “inspired by” or a nod to a trend. We’re talking about replicas, sometimes down to the colour scheme, gem placement, or silhouette, being made for other performers or teams without permission, credit, or even a conversation. And that’s not okay.

Costumes Are Creative Property

Just like choreography or music, costume designs are creative works. They’re protected under copyright from the moment they’re made. Replicating a design without permission, even with a few tweaks, isn’t flattery. It’s copyright infringement. It devalues the designer’s skill, undermines their business, and erodes trust in the creative community.

“But It’s Just a Costume…”

Nope. It’s someone’s livelihood. It’s hours of labour, sourcing, problem-solving, fittings, and finishing touches. It’s made with care, for a specific performer or team, for a moment that matters.

When that design is duplicated and worn by someone else, it chips away at the impact. It also reflects poorly on both the maker of the replica and the person wearing it.

The Impact Runs Deep

For the designer, seeing their work copied without consent is devastating. It’s a blow to their creativity, their business, and their trust.
For the original performer, it takes away the magic of wearing something they believed was uniquely theirs, a design meant to reflect their individual story.
And for our broader calisthenics community, it sends the wrong message: that it’s okay to take instead of create.

What You Can Do Instead

Commission Your Own Creation:
There are so many talented designers who can bring your vision to life. Give them the brief, and let them create something just for you.

Ask for Permission:
If you love an existing design, start a conversation. Many designers are open to reinterpretations, with proper credit and compensation.

Educate and Advocate:
In a community-led sport like ours, coaches, parents, and performers all play a role. Let’s help the next generation understand that originality matters.

Support Designers Who Create:
Choose to work with original costume makers. Promote them. Credit them. Protect the creative culture that makes our sport so vibrant.

At Calination, we’re proud to support the costume designers who make our performers shine. Let’s honour their talent and time by keeping things original. Respect the designer. Respect the sparkle.