The Ultimate Copy Cat? Isabel Marant Sued For Designs
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- June 19, 2015
Photo: Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images
French house Isabel Marant is under fire, as the founder and lead designer is accused of copying the traditional dress pieces of an indigenous community in Mexico.
The Mixe community in Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec, Oaxaca says that the brand illegally infringed on their rights with her spring/summer 2015 Etoile Isabel Marant collection. As the collective looks into the possibility of taking up legal action, a statement from the group has been released alleging plagiarism from Isabel Marant.
“Isabel Marant is committing a plagiarism because the Etoile spirng/summer 2015 collection contains the graphical elements specific to the Tlahuitoltepec blouse, a design which has transcended borders, and is not a novel creation as is affirmed by the designer.” The hashtag #miBlusadeTlahui quickly went viral on Twitter this year, which aimed to point out the uncanny similarity between Marant’s recent designs and those who have been making hand-sewn shirts for over 600 years. Marant has quickly tried to distance herself from the situation, releasing a statement saying, “Ms. Isabel Marant does not claim to be the author of this tunic and these designs.”
Biting the style of an indigenous people and appropriating it stitch-for-stitch is enough to anger anybody. The Mixe people are asking for financial compensation from the French house, yet Marant has more than one issue on her hands. Her well-known Bart low-top sneakers are also placing the longtime fashion designer in a copyright infringement case with Adidas. The German multinational conglomerate allege Marant imitated the brand’s Stan Smiths and courts must determine if Adidas actually has a trade dress infringement claim against Marant.
Isabel Marant sneakers favoring Adidas Stan Smiths
Isabel Marant sandals favoring Birkenstocks
If so, the courts will have to rule on whether or not Isabel Marant caused customer confusion between the two different styles. A pair of Adidas sneakers runs for about $70, while Marant’s cost $410.
Founded in 1994, the Isabel Marant brand originally went under the name “Twen,” before being renamed after its namesake. The line consisted of only a line of jerseys and knitwear, and found a place among the Hollywood elite. Kate Bosworth, Katie Holmes, Anne Hathaway and Hilary Duff wore the outfits and helped to popularize the brand. In 2000, Marant added “Etoile” to make the brand more affordable and casual. With 10 shops in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and other places around the world, Isabel Marant collaboration with H&M sold out in moments.
Her latest place as a possible plagiarist is going to have the eyes of the fashion world upon her.
[via New York Post]
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