Fashion Courts... Latest Trend

Yes! another article about fashion lawsuits, and there are plenty of similar stories in the fashion world, I believe that All designers, established or emerging deserve the right to design protection and only the creator of an original design should profit from that design.

Monica Botkier Sues Sears Over Kardashian ‘Knockoff’ Bag . Are the Kardashians headed to kourt?

Designer Monica Botkier has filed a cease and desist against Sears, whose just-released Kardashian Kollection line includes a handbag that she alleges is a copy of her Clyde bag, Women's Wear Daily reports.Though the Kardashian version, which is no longer available on the Sears Web site, boasts leopard print, both it and the Clyde have slanted front pockets, drawstring sides, and a similar frame.The discovery of the lookalike bag comes just as Botkier has signed on to participate in the CFDA/eBay You Can't Fake Fashion project targeting design piracy.

Left Boktier, Right Kardashian

"Ironically we just discovered below how our Botkier ‘Clyde’ was simply copied by Kardashian Kollection for Sears," Botkier writes in an August 10 blog post titled "K is for Knockoff." "They say imitation is the highest form of flattery but we don’t think so …"Clearly not. Though Botkier admits that Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian may not be aware of the alleged copycat, she's nonetheless fighting to protect her design.

“In a case like this, it’s upsetting because it’s a trademarked shape for us, and people recognize it by sight," she tells WWD. "It’s a lot more complicated because it’s hard for independent designers to do anything against mass retailers or megabrands. It really calls attention to what Steven Kolb and the CFDA are really working towards—its not necessarily about sticking on a fake label, you are actually taking someone’s design idea. This definitely hurts people in the industry and it makes it more difficult that you can’t protect it by law. The CFDA is working on trying to change these laws and make designs more protected.”

Meanwhile, the Sears line may also have inspired another fashion lawsuit.

Design piracy is unfair to designers and is detrimental to competition within the fashion industry. It effectively allows others to plagiarize the original designer’s creative ideas and reap the benefits of the creator’s labor and assumption of risk.” – CFDA website

Christian Louboutin Loses against Yves Saint Laurent

The signature red soles on Christian Louboutin high heels, so famous they inspired a song by Jennifer Lopez and made countless cameos on “Sex and the City,” could one day show up on shoes sold at Payless!

A judge declined on Wednesday to grant a preliminary injunction requested by Christian Louboutin against Yves Saint Laurent, which was accused of trademark infringement for shoes that featured red soles similar to those of Louboutin’s. The decision not only cleared the way for Saint Laurent to continue producing its shoes, but also seemed to give coverage to other shoe manufacturers that may want to add a scarlet underpinning to theirs.

Judge Victor Marrero of Federal District Court in Manhattan ruled that the trademark Louboutin obtained in 2008 for its “lacquered red soles” — on shoes that can sell for more than $1,000 a pair — was “overly broad” and most likely not protectable.

“Because in the fashion industry color serves ornamental and aesthetic functions vital to robust competition,” Judge Marrero ruled, “the court finds that Louboutin is unlikely to be able to prove that its red outsole brand is entitled to trademark protection, even if it has gained enough protection in the market to have secondary meaning.”

The lawsuit was filed over four shoes in the Yves Saint Laurent Cruise 2011 collection: the Tribute, Taboo, Palais and Woodstock models.

No comment... YSL is a lovemark brand to me! Mr. Louboutin I would rather focus on making wearable shoes, maybe you should try a pair of YSL to understand what comfortable shoes mean!

Uncle Karl teams up with Macy's - Lagerfeld Macy's Collection

Macy’s unveiled its newest fast-fashion collection, this one designed by Karl Lagerfeld, on Wednesday evening in a SoHo gallery that had been decorated with multiple portraits of Mr. Lagerfeld in the front and images from a related ad campaign in the back. The ads show Coco Rocha, photographed by Mr. Lagerfeld, wearing his clothes in a library setting, not that they seemed particularly bookish.

What struck me about the designs, actually Mr. Lagerfeld’s second endeavor into the mainstream market, after his pioneering collection for H&M in 2004, was how much more sophisticated they seemed. (They will be at Macy’s on Aug. 31.) His earlier work for H&M, as I recall, was more focused on T-shirts bearing his image, some nicely Euro-styled tailored jackets, too-tight turtlenecks, a couple of black silk dresses and shirts with stiff high collars. They were his signatures at the time.

But for Macy’s, which showed only half the collection at the event, Mr. Lagerfeld offered a broader range of day dresses and suit-y looks in rich-looking fabrics that offered a little more versatility:  a simple black blazer with drainpipe sleeves, shown over a two-paneled wrap dress of white cotton and black wool, or a short skirt and matching sporty jacket in a silvery tweed printed to look like snakeskin. Most of the items are expected to cost less than $300, and most of them looked worth it. Still, Mr. Lagerfeld couldn’t resist a few indulgences, like a couple of dresses with high collars and, of course, a pair of self-referential T-shirts.

Hermes New Kelly Bag

Who says that picnics should lack style? Take a break from your busy schedule and treat yourselves with a relaxing, savory outdoor meal. Still, don't forget about your styling even while lounging in the grass. And the legendary house of Hermès comes with a chic solution offering a real masterpiece for every fashionista who wants to show off her sassy side in every circumstance. The new Hermès Kelly Picnic Bag is made in wicker and barenia calfskin. Besides, this bag is so pretty and functional as it doesn't allow to sacrifice fashion over comfort and practicality.

Bag addicts will totally understand the need to flaunt a chic bag to a picnic. The Hermès Kelly Picnic Bag beautifully combines the basket weaving art and the leather manufacture and keeps the Kelly closure in order to add the brand's iconic touch. The famous house also released a few images with the legendary bag made of all the foods you put into your picnic basket, from irresistible baguettes, fresh fruits and veggies, but also ham and cheese. Nevertheless, the Hermès Kelly Picnic Bag looks deliciously cute but for Hermes, it is so not up to Legendary brand's level ( hope lady Gaga doesn't see the one done with sausages and hams image, I bet she would ask for a real one to be produced!)

Maison Rana at Paris & NY Fashion Weeks.

She listens to stories behind each and every painting and translates the emotions and vibrance of each piece into wearable Art...Minimal lines, carefully assigned stripes and just the tiniest hint of drama via sleek cuts are all elements proposed with elegance in her collection. Rana Al-Basri Mouawad is the talent behind the Art inspired Fashion brand Maison Rana determined to inspire us with her vision.

Here's my exclusive interview with a rising fashion designer, a brilliant artist and a confident woman.

Tell us a bit about your background and how you got involved in the fashion biz?

My background is all about marketing, communication and advertising… but my passion for style and fashion started with me at a young age, following my mother as she stylishly picked pieces, didn’t accept the status quo when it came to my wardrobe and always amended things into something new, and designed dresses for friends and family…

In 2009, I decided to follow my dream and start a new chapter in my life. So, I quit my day-job and dedicated my time to building this new label, creating new designs, and marrying my l

ove for art into fashion, to create unique special pieces.

What or who inspired you to become a fashion designer?

My family, my husband, and my amazing friends

When did you launch your label?

In 2010

What do you love the most about what you do?

Getting all sort of ideas, cuts, twists of material and designs, by looking at an art piece or a photo or when visiting a beautiful city. Beautiful things inspire me.

How would you describe your Journey until now?

A dream come true. A continuous challenge. A humbling experience when I see one of my designs worn by someone. 

Since the Birth of your label, what has been your most memorable moment?

Hanging my designs on the racks preparing for the launch private preview event… I was walking on air… excited, super happy, nervous, tired, all in one! Will never forget that feeling.

What's your most valuable lesson so far?

To listen to my inner voice when I’m not convinced about a piece or a detail and to listen to constructive feedback from friends and family.

What would you say was the most difficult aspect in starting your label in the Middle East?

 

There are many talents and beautiful designers in our region, so finding a door into boutique buyers, earning that trust, and pushing the designs into more hands is always a challenge for any designer.

What are the main advantages that set you apart from the competition?

I believe that it is the fact that my designs come with a story every season and they are perfect from day to night. They are unique, and fit for any woman who wants to stand out. 

What's next for you?

Am glad to announce that am Participating at Paris Fashion Week & NY Fashion Week launching the S/S2012 collection this September and sharing it with you all including a sneak peak of my "Carnival" collection, photoshoot making of exclusively for Glams by Chantal and the blog fans below!

In your opinion, what are the do's and don'ts in style?

I think it is important for any woman to find and know and be true to her own sense of style. She is unique in her own way, and this is a big “do” for me. If she sticks to that, she will not fall into the trap of random copycat styling, which is my “don’t”.

Visit the online store for 50% discount on selected items. www.maisonrana.com