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Original branding and trademarks rule. Well, that what Gucci contends. Over a year ago, following a three-year court battle, a New York court awarded Gucci $4.7million dollars—Gucci originally asked for $221 million—over Guess’ diamond-patterned G logo that bore a striking resemblance to Gucci’s iconic pattern.
The drama continues. Guess countersued Gucci in 2009 to have three of Gucci registered trademarks nullified in Milan. Guess won its countersuit.
According to WWD, this past Friday, an Italian court ruled that Gucci’s diamond pattern, G logo and “Flora” pattern trademarks had been cancelled, and that Guess’ Quattro G-diamond pattern was not derived from Gucci’s double-G. This canceling of Gucci’s trademark logos and pattern means that anyone can use these signature patterns.
Paul Marciano, CEO of Gucci commented on the recent developments. “Because of their endless resources, Gucci has been forum shopping all over the world to try and stop Guess from expanding its successful accessories business. It’s fundamentally wrong and unconscionable.”
Gucci plans to file an appeal.
Beyoncé too sexy?
OK, everyone agrees that Beyoncé is a very sexy woman. But, apparently she might be too sexy for some folks on Manhattan’s Lower Eastside (LES). It appears that Beyoncé’s sexy H&M ad has been censored at a Lower Eastside bus stop. Inside sources contend that the ad may have been censored by a member of the LES’s conservative Jewish community. But not all community residents agree. It seems that every time someone covers up the bus stop ad at Colombia and Grand, very soon after, someone uncovers it.
Controversy over their sexy ads is old news to H&M. H&M had to digitally cover up supermodel Gisele Bundchen’s arms when a 2011 H&M ad ran in Dubai.
H&M and Indietex’s new factory safety standards
Retail giants H&M and Indietex have backed a factory safety accord aimed at preventing deaths seen at the April 25 factory fire in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,100 workers. “We hope for a broad coalition of signatures in order for the agreement to work effectively on ground,” H&M head of sustainability Helena Helmersson said in a statement.
Since the April 24 fire, the International Labor Organization, trade unions, and other lobby groups have been pushing for an agreement on fire and building safety standards. IndustriALL Global Union, one of the major forces driving the negotiations, is hoping that other brands will come on board by the May 15 deadline.
The new fires and building safety accord will include a coordinated system of inspections, training and financial commitments from retailers, as well as giving workers the power to refuse dangerous work.
The final draft will be published on May 15.
—Staff
The Galliano drama continues. After much contention and political protest, John Galliano’s four-day workshop at Parsons the New School of Design has been canceled. The controversial former head of Dior was to teach a “Show Me Emotion” four-day workshop at the famed fashion school.
An e-mail from Parsons, signed by David E. Van Zandt, Tim Marshall, and Joel Towers, the president, provost, and executive dean, respectively, goes as follows:
Gisele Bündchen has returned to H&M. For its fall/winter 2013 campaign, H&M has enlisted the 32-year old supermodel. The campaign will launch in late August. Though officials have not released the exact figures of Bündchen’s H&M contract, it is predicted to be in the $3 million to $5 million range. Last year, Bündchen’s was rated by Forbes as the highest paid model at $45 million dollars in annual earnings.
H&M plans to spend around 100 million euros ($130 million dollars) to open 50 stores in India. H&M (Hennes and Mauritz), the world second largest fashion retailer, is hoping to tap into rising incomes in India and the country’s huge population. “It is a very interesting market with a huge population and a growing middle class,” said Fredrik Olssen, head of H&M expansion, to Reuters.
Met Gala Red Carpet Looks
Earlier this week it was announced that John Galliano would be teaching a three-day workshop entitled “Show Me Emotion” at New School University’s Parsons School of Design. The announcement has caused outrage by an anonymous group of students at Parsons, causing them to start a petition against Galliano at change.org. In 2011, Galliano was dismissed from his post at Dior for anti-Semitic remarks.
“[Parsons] plans to hire John Galliano for a 3-day workshop,” the petition continues, “It doesn’t matter if it’s for three months or three days, hiring someone who has made such horrific comments shows that the school values Galliano over their entire Jewish student body. It shows they value him over their students’ respect, peace of mind, and heritage.”
Federal authorities reported on Monday that the Ralph Lauren Corp. has agreed to settle for 1.6 million dollars in bribery case. The U.S. Justice Department and Securities Exchange Commission allege that the Ralph Lauren Corporation (RLC) between 2005 and 2010 paid $700,000 in illicit profit to Argentine import officials.
Fashion tongues wag as rumors swirl around the possible appointment of Nicola Formichetti as creative director of Diesel. Less than a week ago, WWD reported that after two years Nicola Formichetti was leaving his post as creative director of Mugler. Joel Palix, president of Clarins Fragrance Group, which now owns the famed French design house, stated that Formichetti’s leaving was a “mutual” decision.
