Beyonce Sued for Allegedly Stealing Dereon Designs? PLUS Madonna's Material Girl Lawsuit

It seems whenever a celebrity launches a fashion brand, legal troubles loom not too far behind. Most recently, Beyonce has come under fire for the Dereon studded leggings she wore in her new advertising campaign. Madonna was slapped with a lawsuit over the rights to use the Material Girl name for her Junior's fashion line with daughter, Lourdes Leon.

Beyonce's legal troubles revolve around a pair of studded leggings, which the Topshop brand, E-Label, claim are mysteriously similar to their own design. About the studded leggings, E-label owner, Heba Hallgrimsdottir said: "This is naturally huge and I am still half in shock. I didn't [recognize] straight away that this was her own label: I just thought she was wearing our leggings. It is practically just copy/paste...I have only just heard about this and no decision has yet been taken. We need to inspect her brand's trousers closer because, according to law, it is not copied if a certain number of things have been changed from the original design" via The Fashion Bomb.

Here are the E-label leggings - do you think Dereon's version is a ripoff?





The lawsuit against Madonna comes courtesy of Apparel manufacturer, LA Triump, who claims that they have been using the "Material Girl" brand since 1997, saying "Our client and its predecessor have been continually selling similar clothes in similar retail outlets at similar price points under their Material Girl brand since at least 1997 and Madonna and her newfound company do not have the right to trade in the same space under this brand...[our client faces] a risk of being subsumed by Madonna's profile [and] obvious worldwide notoriety" via People.com.






I don't want to make light of the frustration one must feel when robbed of his/her original idea. We've seen designers like Alexander McQueen go head-to-head with brands like Steve Madden over this very principle.

But sometimes, you have to wonder if the "notoriety" that LA Triump cites, plays into the perpetual celebrity lawsuits. The line between a genuine pursuit of justice and a desire for fame and media coverage has become quite blurry.

In my humble and uninformed opinion (haven't heard from either Beyonce or Madonna's camp), studded leggings are not an original idea and 'Material Girl' was only one of Madonna's biggest hit songs from the '80's.

But I do understand the need for the legal system to protect small businesses against powerful, popular brands that can easily steal designs and titles from lesser-known companies if unchecked.

What are your thoughts? Do you think either lawsuit is legit? Are celebrities unfairly targeted because of their fame and notoriety? Discuss.

Post Title

→

Beyonce Sued for Allegedly Stealing Dereon Designs? PLUS Madonna's Material Girl Lawsuit

Post URL

→

http://womencelebrity-gj.blogspot.com/2010/08/beyonce-sued-for-allegedly-stealing.html

Visit women celebrity for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Madonna Lookalikes Flood Macy's for the Material Girl Launch

If you ever questioned Madonna's iconic status, one sight of the Madonna lookalike Mom and daughter duos that clamored into Macy's for the launch of Material Girl would make you a believer.

According to WWD, the store was overrun with women dressed in blonde wigs, cross earrings, tulle skirts and the like. (Seriously, the line extended from Broadway down to 33rd Street).





The interesting part? Mothers (who partied during the prime of Madonna's career) and their daughters were hand-in-hand on line dressed in Madonna-inspired garb and itching for the chance to shop from Madonna's first fashion line. Surely, that's a testament to the superstar's broad and timeless appeal.

While the launch didn't fare as well in cities outside NYC and LA, Macy's anticipates huge back-to-school sales for the line and accordingly, debuted it in major cities with much fanfare. In NYC, the first 200 shoppers scored a bandeau and were treated to a performance by spokesperson, Taylor Momsen; in LA, fans waiting online were asked Madonna trivia questions, given wristbands and $10 gift cards, and a Kiss FM DJ played Madonna's songs.





Taylor performing.




While WWD seemed surprised both grown folks and teens were dressing up as Madonna, I wouldn't expect anything less. She is a larger-than-life icon whose appeal transcends generational borders. "Vogue" is the most-played song on my ipod, and my younger sister's, and I'm sure my niece will join the party when she gets old enough. Don't you agree that Madonna is just incredibly amazing?

And who doesn't want to dress like her? Ferocia and I took full advantage at The Magazine's 80's party back in the day (see below) because umm, it's fun! If only I was a teenage girl going back to school...

















What do you think of the launch pandemonium? And sidenote: was Taylor Momsen the right choice for spokesperson? Teens (or better yet, anyone who can fit it) are you planning on shopping the collection?









Kisses,

Coutura

Post Title

→

Madonna Lookalikes Flood Macy's for the Material Girl Launch

Post URL

→

http://womencelebrity-gj.blogspot.com/2010/08/madonna-lookalikes-flood-macy-for.html

Visit women celebrity for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection