Friday 9 October 2015

STELLA SUES STEVE MADDEN FOR SELLING A 'POORLY-MADE KNOCK-OFF OF THE BRAND's $1,200 FALABELLA BAG - FOR A TENTH OF THE PRICE

Stella is suing American footwear and accessories brand Steve Madden for marketing a 'knock-off' version of her iconic Falabella bag, for less than a tenth of the price. 
Stella, 44, filed a lawsuit against the popular US-based label earlier this week, in which she accuses Steve Madden of selling a 'poorly-made... knock-off of [her] famous Falabella Foldover Tote bag' in the form of its BTotally handbag, which retails for $108 - less than a tenth of the price of Stella's $1,195 tote.
'Long after [Stella McCartney's] Falabella collection of bags, with their distinctive trade dress, achieved prominence in the fashion industry, and after [Stella McCarntey] obtained design patent protection for its design, [Steve Madden] began importing and selling a tote bag, that, although virtually identical in appearance to Plaintiff’s design, is a poorly-made copy,' the legal papers, which were filed with the district court in New York on Tuesday and seen by Daily Mail Online, explain. 
Stella is suing American brand Steve Madden for 'knocking off' her trademark Falabella tote bag. She is pictured in July with a clutch from the Falabella collection
Original: The Falabella Foldover Tote, which is the most popular design from the range, was first released in 2009. The most basic version of the bag retails for $1,195
Original: The Falabella Foldover Tote, which is the most popular design from the range, was first released in 2009. The most basic version of the bag retails for $1,195
'Poorly-made knock-off': Steve Madden's BTotally tote retails for $108, less than a tenth of the price of Stella's design
'Poorly-made knock-off': Steve Madden's BTotally tote retails for $108, less than a tenth of the price of Stella's design

The suit goes on to state that Stella's Falabella range has received 'overwhelming media attention' since its launch, and that the collection has since become 'extremely popular' with a number of A-list celebrities, including Anne Hathaway, Kim Kardashian, Kate Hudson, Demi Lovato, Victoria Beckham, Fergie, and Jennifer Lopez. 
Lawyers for the brand are seeking an injunction to prevent Steve Madden from continuing its sale of the BTotally bag - while also making a claim for unspecified damages.  
Stella's first Falabella bag, which the lifelong vegetarian creates in a range of vegan materials, was first released in 2009, and the collection of chain-embellished accessories has continued to grow ever since.
The brand's website has an entire section devoted to the collection, with the fashion house describing the range as being 'defined by its slouchy silhouette and iconic braided chain strap', while adding that the design is a 'distinctive Stella McCartney signature'.  

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