Banksy Encourages Fans to Shoplift From Guess Since Company 'Helped Themselves to My Artwork Without Asking’

Banksy told his followers to shoplift from the Regent Street Guess store in London after it displayed a collection that used his artwork without permission.

Photograph of Banky iconic graffiti man with flowers
Getty

Image via Getty/Rebecca Sapp

Photograph of Banky iconic graffiti man with flowers

Banksy isn’t happy with Guess’ latest collaboration.

The legendary anonymous graffiti artist had a directive for his followers on Friday, encouraging them—possibly tongue in cheek, possibly not—to visit the Regent Street Guess store in London and steal the brand’s new collection that features his artwork.

“Attention all shoplifters. Please go to Guess on Regents Street. They’ve helped themselves to my artwork without asking, how can it be wrong for you to do the same to their clothes?”

Guess had displayed the collection in the store window, showing t-shirts and jackets emblazoned with Banksy’s Thug for Life Bunny against a blown-up backdrop of the artist’s well-known print of a man throwing flowers. The new collection is a partnership with the company Brandalised, which, according to BBC, has a license to sell Banksy memorabilia to fans.

Following Banksy’s post, Guess shuttered the Regent Street store and had security guarding the entrance. The shop also covered up the window display.

Guess revealed the collection on Nov. 3, with the brand’s chief creative officer Paul Marciano saying, “The graffiti of Bansky has had a phenomenal influence that resonates throughout popular culture. This new capsule collection with Brandalised is a way for fashion to show its gratitude.”

The collection boasts 34 pieces and is still available to purchase online. Among the items are a t-shirt, faux fur coat, handbag, and faux fur vest ranging in price from $40 to $275.

Latest in Style