Fashion advertising campaigns are often a blend of imitation and innovation. But sometimes the imitation part outshines the innovation -- as was the case of John Galliano's latest advertising campaign.

A court in France recently found the British designer guilty of plagiarism, and he was fined £140,000 in damages. Galliano's ads used a technique that involves painting over top of a photograph -- a method created by American fashion photographer William Klein. According to reports, when Klein saw the Galliano ads, he was furious. Klein said: "I was very bitter and angry when I found out. It felt like a kick in the teeth to the integrity of my work."

Galliano and his creative team nonetheless insist that the current campaign was not plagiarism, so they plan to appeal the ruling.

[via vogue.co.uk]