Nirvana is Suing Marc Jacobs + Other Fashion News You Missed This Week
Nirvana is Suing Marc Jacobs Over Use of the Smiley Face Logo
Nirvana’s smiley face, a cartoon burnout face with x’s for eyes, a squiggly mouth and an outstretched tongue, is one of the most iconic t-shirt designs of all time. So it’s no surprise that when Marc Jacobs rereleased his 1992 ‘grunge collection’ he chose to parody the shirt. Called the “bootleg grunge” tee, Jacobs’ design features a similar cartoon face with the initials ‘MJ’ replacing the eyes and the word ‘Heaven’ written in the same font. The result? Nirvana has slapped Marc Jacobs with a lawsuit, claiming that the fashion label has “infringed Nirvana’s copyright.” According to the lawsuit, the smiley face symbol has “come to symbolize the goodwill associated with Nirvana… one of the most famous and influential rock bands in history.” In addition to producing the t-shirt, Marc Jacobs has also used lyrics from the Nirvana song “Come as you are” in ads for the collection, apparently taking great pains to associate the collection with Nirvana. While we’re not entirely convinced that the Marc Jacobs’ t-shirt has “caused Nirvana to suffer irreparable injuries, and threaten[s] to dilute the value of Nirvana’s licenses,” the shirts do seem like a very bad faith move. It will be interesting to see how this and the Pooey Puitton magic slime case both play out. (The Fashion Law)
’60s Model Twiggy Awarded Damehood By the Queen
Quintessential 1960s waif Twiggy (real name: Lesley Lawson née Hornby) has been awarded a damehood (the female equivalent of knighthood) by the Queen for her services to fashion, the arts and charity. The model was honoured alongside Monty Python comedian Michael Palin and children’s author Philip Pullman on Britain’s New Years’ Honors List, released last week. Discovered at age 16, Twiggy was nicknamed for her slender, stick-like limbs which she frequently bared while modeling the then-scandalous new minidress silhouette of the era. Her image quickly became associated with the 1960s Youthquake movement, short hair cuts for women and the “mod” look. The word ‘iconic’ is painfully overused in the fashion lexicon, but Twiggy is one of the few figures deserving of the mantle. “I’m a very proud Brit, I feel I’m an ambassador for Britain, I always have,” the model told the BBC. Kudos, Twiggy. (BBC)
Co-CEO of Nordstrom Has Died of Lymphoma
Less than a month after being diagnosed with lymphoma, Blake Nordstrom, the 58-year-old co-CEO of Nordstrom, has died. Nordstrom ran the family business with his brother Erik and Peter, and was a beloved figure within the fashion industry. On Twitter, designer Kenneth Cole described Nordstrom as Designer Kenneth Cole took to Twitter to describe Nordstrom as “one of our industry’s truest leaders and finest individuals,” someone who will be “missed by all who had the privilege to know and work with him.” I met Blake in March 2018 at the opening of the first Nordstrom Rack at Vaughan in Toronto and he projected geniality and warmth as he led a group of media around the not-yet-opened store. He seemed genuinely excited to be expanding Nordstrom Rack into Canada and optimistic about the future. FASHION offers up our deepest condolences. (WWD)
What Does Retail Have to Look Forward to in 2019? Not Much, Apparently.
If you’re enjoying the post-holiday sale season, then you can look forward to plenty more heavily-discounted goods in the new year as WWD projects that plenty of bankruptcies are on the horizon for 2019. Though many retailers claim that an increase in online sales has helped offset the decline of in-store purchases, investors suggest that the drop in impulse buys has led to a decline in profitability. Credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings Inc. has named Neiman Marcus, Tom’s Shoes, NYDJ Apparel and Charlotte Russe as possible brands to declare bankruptcy based on the amount of debt they carry. J. Crew and JC Penney are also on the watch list. J. Crew appears to be pulling out of Canada entirely, as they shutter their store in Toronto’s Eaton Centre this Sunday, December 6th. As depressing as it is, enjoy those 70% off labels. (WWD/NOW Toronto)
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