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Gwen Stefani Sues Forever 21

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Gwen Stefani has long been a trendsetter – who can forget her signature brand of punk-meets-chic style in the 1990s? Or her chameleon-like transformation as a quirky-glam solo artist? But who’d have thought she’d make a trend out of filing lawsuits against low-cost retail giant Forever 21?

In 2007, the retailer wasn’t able to find its sweet escape from a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by Stefani. Representatives for the style icon claimed the store was “marketing, promoting, and selling products featuring a design ‘virtually indistinguishable’ from Harajuku’s signature heart/box logo.”

The singer’s Japanese-inspired Harajuku Lovers line debuted in 2005, hot off the success of the 2003 launch of L.A.M.B., her debut fashion collection. Harajaku Lovers was introduced as a more affordable, accessible way for fans to add their own touch of Stefani’s signature style to their wardrobes.

The lawsuit claimed that due to Forever 21’s, er, “inspired” interpretation, the brand “suffered and continues to suffer damage to its business reputation.” How exactly did the California-based retailer infringe on Harajuku’s line? According to the lawsuit, Forever 21 “changed a couple of words in the Heart/Box Trademark, which are inconspicuous and likely to go unnoticed by a consumer.”

Gwen Stefani sues Forever 21 and starts a trend

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We can’t say for sure, but we have to imagine Stefani’s feeling hella good these days knowing she’s in good company when it comes to famous legal battles against the retailer. Since filing her suit in 2007, she’s been joined by a slew of designers, manufacturers, and even former employees who claim Forever 21 has done them wrong. The same year Gwen drew the line in the legal sand, designers Diane von Fürstenberg and Anna Sui filed suits of their own, claiming Forever 21 blatantly copied their designs.

In 2012, after filing a suit claiming infringement of her original ‘Chief’ prints, designer Mara Hoffman settled with Forever 21 out of court. But Hoffman’s battle didn’t end there. Apparently third time’s the charm, since Hoffman had to file two more lawsuits, one in 2012 and another in 2017, when her designs were yet again copped by the fast-fashion retailer. Athletic apparel brands PUMA and adidas also found themselves entangled in legal cases against Forever 21 in 2017. In an unexpected twist, the retailer filed a lawsuit of their own against adidas that same year, claiming the brand was “bullying” them after being sent two cease-and-desist letters over products they insisted violated no laws.

Once a copycat, always a copycat

We all learn from our mistakes, but if recent lawsuits are any indication, Forever 21 still has a few lessons to learn. After turning down an endorsement detail with the struggling retailer, superstar Ariana Grande filed a $10 million lawsuit against them in 2019 for posting photos on Instagram that she felt hit a little too close to the style in her “7 Rings” music video, claiming they even went so far as to hire a Grande-lookalike to pose for the photos in question. Looks like Stefani really is a trendsetter!

Marianella

Sunday 14th of October 2007

I have lost any respect I had for Gwen Stefani.  I think she has let her ego get the best of her. She blatantly ripped off the looks of old Hollywood starlets like Jayne Mansfield, and Marylin Monroe. The only difference is they can’t sue her. You are NOT creative Stefani.  Your Designs and ideas have been done over and over.  Stop trying to sue forever 21 because of your lack of creativity.

name with held

Tuesday 25th of September 2007

Gwen Stefani already has enough money why would she sue Forever21 when in reality she didn’t even design the clothing her self. Celebs higher designers to come up with outfits, I know this b/c I worked with a celebrity (not mentioning name)on there line and quit when they wanted to take full credit for my garments I designed and they only wanted to pay me 2% of the sales; the true designer never gets credit. Her clothes arent anything special anyway, lets be serious would you rather spend $400 dollars for a 100% cotton shirt made from China or $12 bucks for something simmilar to it from forever21.

give me a break

Tuesday 24th of July 2007

This is sheer hypocracy.  If Stefani wants to sue Forever 21 for knocking off the Harajuku line, then the Tokyo Harajuku kids should sue her for commodifying their entire youth culture.  Get a life Gwen, you of all people should know what its like to capitalize on somebody else’s style.

budget babe

Friday 20th of July 2007

i don’t find gwen’s “designs” to be unique at all. she’s profiting off street styles that have been around for years. and actually, JR made a good point—she does copy styles that are popular in japan. like people in the US won’t notice? i’d also like to know where and how her clothes are manufactured.

JR

Thursday 19th of July 2007

How about Gwen Stefani stop raking in the big bucks off cultures that in no way belong to her?  Now there’s a crazy idea.  I think the entire country of Japan should sue her for cultural infringement.

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