Versace sues Fashion Nova for 'recreating' famous Jennifer Lopez dress

'Versace seeks to bring an end to Fashion Nova’s latest brazen attempt at copying the work of yet another famous and world-renowned designer,' lawsuit states

Olivia Petter
Wednesday 27 November 2019 08:16 EST
Comments
(Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Versace is suing Fashion Nova for recreating the Italian brand’s iconic jungle dress that was famously worn by Jennifer Lopez, US media reports.

According to a complaint filed in a New York federal court on Monday, Versace has accused the fast fashion company of selling “deliberate copies and imitations of [its] most famous and recognizable designs, marks, symbols and other protected elements”.

In addition to the jungle dress, other garments sold on Fashion Nova that resemble Versace ones include a long-sleeved bodycon dress covered in the designer’s signature Barocco print and a pop heart print gown from its latest collection. Versace claims that both prints are copyright-protected.

The lawsuit, as seen by The Hollywood Reporter, states: “Fashion Nova’s Infringing Apparel is plainly a deliberate effort to exploit the popularity and renown of Versace’s signature designs, and to trade on Versace’s valuable goodwill and business reputation.

“Versace seeks to bring an end to Fashion Nova’s latest brazen attempt at copying the work of yet another famous and world-renowned designer.”

The lawsuit states that Versace is accusing Fashion Nova of trademark infringement, copyright infringement and trade dress infringement and is subsequently seeking monetary damages.

Lopez wore the famous jungle dress in question to the Grammy Awards in 2000, prompting such a flurry in internet searches for photographs of her on the night that it inspired Google to launch Google Images.

The singer recently walked the Versace runway at Milan Fashion Week in a recreated version of the gown, which sparked countless memes as social media rejoiced in the return of one of the most memorable dresses in the last 20 years.

Jennifer Lopez photographed walking the runway at the Versace spring/summer 2020 show.
Jennifer Lopez photographed walking the runway at the Versace spring/summer 2020 show. (Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted Versace and Fashion Nova for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in