It’s all about Gucci news this week – they’ve not only won a lawsuit, they’ve picked up a decidedly royal new spokesperson. Though she insists she’s not a model….
Another day, another fashion lawsuit – but this one may have severe implications for the fashion world.
Gucci sued Guess three years ago for ripping off parts of its signature arsenal of prints and logos, and this week a judge has decided in Gucci’s favour.
The result? Guess is banned from using anything resembling Gucci’s famous jacquard, their interlocking G’s, or red-and-green striped straps. That, and they have to pay nearly $3 million – plus legal fees.
It’s short of what Gucci sued them for, but it’s a victory for Gucci nonetheless.
Luxury companies are becoming more and more protective of their signature looks, protecting them from knock-offs on the one hand and other companies on the other. Just last week Burberry won a landmark case against producers of fake and fraudulent Burberry merchandise – though fashion insiders know that regardless, offshore factories will keep producing frauds and people will keep buying them.
As it becomes easier and cheaper for quick fakes to be produced, big luxury houses have to work harder and harder to protect their trademarks.
Gucci is safe from copycats at Guess – for now, at least.
Image: Gucci and Guess’s identical shoes.
She’s the granddaughter of Princess Grace of Monaco, and has recently done a campaign for Gucci, but Charlotte Casiraghi has no interest in being a model.
The daughter of Princess Stephanie, Charlotte is an equestrian at the Olympic level, rather like England’s Zara Phillips, cousin to William and Harry. The reason for the Gucci gig? A quick cheque to help her horse-riding.
A journalist close to the royal house of Monaco has informed less knowledgeable press people that Charlotte is “far too intelligent” to want to be a model for its own sake.
However, transporting horses and competing in international equestrian competitions is one of the world’s most expensive pursuits – and Gucci’s subsidy helps.
She agreed to be in the Gucci ad because Gucci has a strong history of involvement in horseracing. Like Hermes, it produces leather goods and riding clothing.
The Monaco royal family last made fashion headlines when Prince Albert married Olympic swimmer Princess Charlene, apparently a great friend of Armani. He made her wedding gown and has been clothing her for every royal engagement since.
Charlotte bears a strong resemblance to her famous grandmother – one hopes that Gucci doesn’t go the way of Dior and make her walk the runway with a hologram of Princess Grace, as Charlize Theron had to do with Marilyn Monroe.
Image: Charlotte Casiraghi for Gucci.
If you’re in the habit of buying vintage clothing online, you’ll notice a trend in the listings: the word “custom-made”.
It was the done thing up until the early 20th century for every woman of means to have her own dressmaker or seamstress on call. She’d buy pieces in shops, of course, but the special elements, the black-tie gowns and the opulent day dresses, would all be made just for her unique measurements.
However, those days have passed, and except for the very wealthy and very elderly, the most likely time women get a dress custom-made is when we get married.
Personal seamstresses may be a thing of the past (and thank goodness for that, as they were chronically underpaid), but you can still have a personalised dress of your dreams – if you’re prepared to pay for it.
The best place to start? Etsy. Handmade dresses to exact specifications are being revived by Etsy sellers, most of whom work on their own rather than in factories (though beware anything which looks assembly-made, as it’s against Etsy’s policies.)
Finding a seamstress in your area will probably be difficult unless there’s a relative or friend skilled in the art of dressmaking – it’s now all about the online outsourcing. However, some bridal and dress boutiques also do sidelines in dressmaking, so do some research – it’s always helpful if you can actually visit and be measured.
Figure out exactly what you’d like – shape, colour, material and so on. If you want an exact copy of a dress you’ve seen elsewhere, make sure you have a large and clear picture, and possibly several from a few angles including the back. Be very clear about what you want.
Measure yourself exactly. You may have to have a friend with a tape measure help here. Measure your hips, bust and waist – and don’t indulge in vanity by shaving off inches or putting on some breast sizes. It will only lead to a poorly fitting dress. Measure your height, too.
Consult, consult, consult. Go back and forth with the dressmaker with any questions you might have. Be specific about sleeve length, collar shape, exact hems, the weight of the material, whether you want petticoats underneath – anything. Always be polite.
Make sure you know their position on returns or refunds, too. If the end product isn’t what you dreamed of – and if you’re paying for a cheaper version of a designer dress, it won’t be an exact replica – be prepared to negotiate.
Image: Custom dress forms.
