Bob Mackie, the style designer and costumer who has outfitted celebrities like Cher, Carol Burnett, Elton John and Taylor Swift, has sued JCPenney for allegedly utilizing his identify, signature and likeness with out permission to promote attire.
In a grievance filed on Wednesday night time in Manhattan federal court docket, the 85-year-old Mackie stated he was astonished final month when JCPenney launched its “Mackie: Bob Mackie” assortment although he had no involvement.
Mackie accused JCPenney of timing the launch to the discharge of Swift’s latest album “The Life of a Showgirl,” whose album art work features a costume he designed.
He stated he would by no means have designed attire for JCPenney due to “legitimate concerns” it might diminish his identify and goodwill, and that the retailer ignored his cease-and-desist letter.
Catalyst Brands, which owns JCPenney, didn’t instantly reply to requests for touch upon Thursday.
Mackie stated he believed JCPenney could have contracted with Bob Mackie Design Group, the place he’s a minority shareholder, however to protect his legacy neither that entity nor its solely different shareholder had authority to supply a license.
Bob Mackie Design Group didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon Thursday. A spokeswoman for Mackie didn’t instantly reply to an identical request
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for false promoting, false affiliation underneath the federal Lanham trademark legislation, violating Mackie’s proper of publicity and deceiving customers.
Mackie’s costumes have included Cher’s black “loin cloth” outfit on the 1986 Academy Awards, Burnett’s curtain rod gown within the “Went with the Wind” sketch on her TV selection present, and John’s Donald Duck and Mozart live performance costumes.
By Jonathan Stempel; Editor: Mark Potter
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The three way partnership was fashioned in an all-equity transaction between JCPenney and SPARC Group and its shareholders Simon Property Group, Brookfield Corp., Authentic Brands Group and SheIn Group Ltd., based on the discharge. Catalyst shall be headed by former JCPenney chief govt officer Marc Rosen.