Louis Vuitton Accused of Copying Influencer Kellie Ford's Bag Design
Louis Vuitton, one of the world's most iconic luxury fashion brands, has been accused of copying a design from independent designer Kellie Ford. Ford, who went viral in 2021by resigning a LV checkout bag into an actual handbag, claims that Louis Vuitton's new collection is now a direct copy of the tote she earned so much publicity over just under two years ago.
The Allegations
Kellie Ford first noticed the similarities between her bag and Louis Vuitton's tote bag after Pharrell's celebrity packed fashion show last week. The essence of Ford's design was the art in taking the shopping bag that your purchased items are handed to you in at the LV store, and turning it into a handbag of its own. Fast forward just less than two years, and LV has now created their version of her original design. See the side by side comparison below:
Louis Vuitton's Response
Louis Vuitton has yet to respond to Ford's allegations. However, this is not the first time the brand has been accused of copying designs from independent designers. In 2018, the brand was sued by My Other Bag for allegedly copying their tote bags.
The Importance of Protecting Independent Designers
The accusations against Louis Vuitton highlight the importance of protecting independent designers. Many small businesses rely on their unique designs to stand out in a crowded market. When larger companies copy these designs, it can have a devastating impact on these businesses (sidetone: If you want to support Kellie, here's her website). It is important for larger companies to respect the intellectual property of independent designers and to avoid copying their designs. By doing so, they can help to ensure that these small businesses can continue to thrive. Trademark your brand's name here, and prevent yourself from being defenseless when a bigger brand tries to recreate your magic!
Conclusion
The accusations against Louis Vuitton are concerning for independent designers and small businesses. It remains to be seen how the brand will respond to these allegations, but it is clear that the issue of design copying is one that needs to be addressed in the fashion industry. Hopefully, this case will serve as a wake-up call for larger companies to respect the intellectual property of independent designers and to avoid copying their designs in the future.
PS. If you're wondering how Ford was able to recreate a bag using LV's branded products anyway, click here to watch our "First Sale Doctrine" YouTube video!
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