Copy Catwalk
It was the gorgeous eye-catching floral Diane von Furstenberg jacket that no one could miss. Even though the assistant who “created” it probably wishes it would have been overlooked.
When the jacket appeared on episodes of The City and Gossip Girl, then graced the cover of ELLE magazine, public relations employees for the legendary New York designer overjoiced. But what seemed like a PR dream quickly turned into a nightmare.
That’s because the real designers behind the classic look came forward and cried copy.
A Toronto fashion label has received an undisclosed financial settlement from DvF today for ripping off their floral jacket straight from the seams.
The ironically titled Mercy label produced a shockingly similar creation for their Spring 2008 collection. With the same silk sash, ruched sleeve and floral print, the jackets could be twins… except of course for the price.
Mercy’s jacket is a bargain at $300 compared to DvF’s $1,000 price tag.
The sad part for Ms. Furstenberg is the fact she sits as president for the Council of Fashion Designers of America - an organization who looks to stop the exact crime she is accused of.
Of course she promptly fired the assistant responsible for the look-a-like and is said to be “devastated” by the revelation, but this might be one stain that won’t come out after a couple of seasons.
I hope it does. DvF is a brilliant designer who knows far too well how annoying and unfair copycat designs can be. Just look at the wrap dress.
If Mercy were outraged by the publicity the other version of the jacket was getting before, hopefully they’ll find some fashion refuge now. DvF may have taken one look, but she helped put the struggling designers on the map.
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