Stella McCartney sues Steve Madden over knock-off

By

Cajsa Lykke Carlson

Published
Oct 12, 2015

UK fashion designer Stella McCartney on Tuesday sued American footwear and accessories company Steve Madden for copying her Falabella bag.

According to Fashionista.com, McCartney filed a complaint with the Southern district of New York against Steve Madden, which McCartney says has copied one of her most "well-known and enormously popular" handbag styles. McCartney's lawyers want Madden to discontinue its knock-off "BTotally" handbag and "an accounting of Defendant’s profits."

McCartney's bag retails for $1,195, Madden's for $108. Court documents pointed to "several poor reviews of the BTotally bag from Steve Madden's website" as proof that the bag is likely to damage McCartney's reputation and lead to a loss in sales.

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The documents say similarities between the bags include fabric inserts at the chain handles, the use of whip-stitching and the continuous chain extending to form handles. Steve Madden has been sued for copying higher-end products numerous times before, by brands including Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen.