The fashion world breeds its own form of scandals, gossip and reality show-esque drama, and as proven by the latest designer vs. designer situation, Jersey Shore can be replaced simply by reading the headlines.
Christian Louboutin filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in New York against Yves Saint Laurent on Thursday, claiming that YSL breached its copyright by putting red soles on their shoes. According to Reuters, “Mr. Louboutin is the first designer to develop the idea of having red soles on women’s shoes” and “the defendants’ use of red footwear outsoles that are virtually identical to the plaintiff’s Red Sole Mark is likely to cause and is causing confusion, mistake and deception among the relevant purchasing public”.
According to Louboutin, the designer trademarked the red sole in 2008 and has since asked YSL to kibosh the red sole as of January of 2011, but to no avail. He’s also asking for $1 million dollars (like he needs it?) in damages and for Yves Saint Lauren to cease producing the red soles immediately.
But of course, whether money is needed or is not needed isn’t exactly the question. But what is the question is how drawn out this situation will get and/or the rivalries that will undoubtedly ensue. And to think some people think fashion is boring.
