Chanel’s Knock Off? Seamstress’ Lawsuit Alleges Infringement

by KS Frazier

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Counterfeits, knock offs, replicas – whatever you call them, designs too similar to someone else’s create endless uproars in fashion. Fashionista dedicates an (often heavily commented) entire section to their perceived crimes against originality. While the focus is usually on Forever21, Steve Madden or another mall brand taking on the latest runway trend, what’s not reported are the often hushed cases of larger design houses taking from smaller designers without credit.

A seamstress in the south of France is suing Chanel for copying one of her crochet patterns. Carmen Colle runs World Tricot, an ethical clothing company specializing in handmade haute couture for top designers like Dior, Gaultier and Givenchy. She runs a small business, and many refugees depend on the opportunities provided by the company. Since filing the lawsuit in 2004 she reports being bullied and dumped by banks and clients. She has had to lay off many of her workers and struggles to fight for her creation stating “[Big names] treat us as things they can take up and then throw away. It’s a shame for them. The greatness of a country, and the greatness of a brand, is the respect it shows for its petites mains (translation: little hands).” Chanel has denied the allegations, and maintains the pattern was created in their studio.

The case is just being presented in court and will bring light to the other side of copyright adventures between large brands and smaller companies at high risk of such infringement.

Read the full story {Guardian}