After a little hiatus, CanadaFashionLaw is back and, mon dieu, do we have some stuff to chat about!
1. Galliano Makes a Come Back
You may recall Galliano's fall from grace after his MAJOR fashion faux pas - hurling racist comments. (Click here if you need a reminder). After two years of radio silence, Galliano may be making a come back. Oscar de la Renta, the master of the red carpet, is allowing Galliano to use some of this studio space on a temporary basis. It will be interesting to see whether Galliano will be accepted again.
2. Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent Continue their Stomp Off
If you had the slightest interest in shoes, the colour red or fashion law last year, I'm pretty sure you heard about the Christian Louboutin v. Yves Saint Laurent case. (Click here for all the juicy details). Although the court released its decision and Louboutin chose not to appeal, this matter has not been put to bed. As per the decision, Louboutin is required to amend the colour claim in its trade-mark registration. The parties are now embroiled in a chain of letters to and from the US Patent and Trademarks Office about how exactly the colour claim should be revised. Who said being a fashion lawyer wasn't fun?
3. Ford Modelling Agency Closes its Toronto Office
In a surprise announcement, esteemed modelling agency Ford Models closed its Toronto office in January 2013. Ford Models did not issue a press release and there is no indication as to why the Toronto office was closed. Nonetheless, Toronto's competing modelling agencies were quick to swoop in to sign those models who had been signed to Ford Models.
4. CanadaFashionLaw Struts its Stuff
CanadaFashionLaw has some exciting things coming up. If you're interested in getting up to speed on all things fashion, the following may interest you:
- We'll be featured in the style edition of The University of Toronto's alumni magazine talking about the bigger ramifications of counterfeiting;
- As a board member of the Toronto chapter of Fashion Group International, we'll be hosting a 4-part roundtable series on laws relevant to the fashion industry.
- In April, we'll be speaking at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago at their Fashion Law Society conference.
- In May, we're hosting a roundtable seminar at the International Trademarks Association's Annual General Meeting on fashion law, (which sold out on the first day. That's right - we did a happy dance!)
If this is any indication, 2013 is going to be a busy year!