Zephyrs, a hosiery supplier, is accusing Victoria's Secret of selling cheaper “knockoffs” to unsuspecting consumers in a $15 million lawsuit, Women's Wear Daily reports.
Zephyrs filed a complaint in federal court in Ohio charging the lingerie behemoth with using images of its products on packaging and in-store product displays, while selling a cheaper version of the product inside. It also claims Victoria's Secret suppliers directly contacted the company in regards to copying their designs.
So, in a nutshell: Victoria's Secret used to sell Zephyrs' Italian-made hosiery, but cut ties with them, switched to a Canadian supplier and allegedly didn't change images or text on the packaging, except for adding a "Made In Canada." Whoops.
In addition to the $15 million for breach of contract, Zephyrs is also seeking "corrective advertising" and a recall of the accused products.
The lingerie retailer hasn't been without controversy this year. Neighbors in London were reportedly upset over the new Victoria's Secret store on Bond Street, claiming it wasn't quite posh enough to rub elbows with Fenwick. Earlier this month, unairbrushed photos of model Doutzen Kroes doing a Victoria's Secret shoot leaked online.
Read more intricate details of the case over at WWD, and see some images being used in the suit below.
See more designer copyright controversies below...
