The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Shoe company, Australian Leather, lost an appeal in a US court to have the trademark for the word “ugg” revoked from its American owner, Deckers Outdoor Corporation, The New York Times reports.
The Australian catchall term “ugg” has been a reference to fleece-lined sheepskin boot since the 1930s, but the term was trademarked in the US by Australian entrepreneur, Brian Smith, in the mid-eighties and he then sold his business to Deckers, which currently owns the “Ugg Australia” trademark in 130 countries.
This largely prevents Australian bootmakers from selling their wares internationally (the term “ugg” is not subject to trademark in Australia). Deckers first launched legal action against Australian Leather owner, Eddie Oygur, in 2016, claiming trademark infringement after he sold 13 pairs of ugg boots in the United States through his website.
Oygur, who was ordered to pay Deckers $450,000 by an Illinois court in 2019, said he would now take the case to the US Supreme Court.
Antitrust enforcers said Tapestry’s acquisition of Capri would raise prices on handbags and accessories in the affordable luxury sector, harming consumers.
As a push to maximise sales of its popular Samba model starts to weigh on its desirability, the German sportswear giant is betting on other retro sneaker styles to tap surging demand for the 1980s ‘Terrace’ look. But fashion cycles come and go, cautions Andrea Felsted.
The rental platform saw its stock soar last week after predicting it would hit a key profitability metric this year. A new marketing push and more robust inventory are the key to unlocking elusive growth, CEO Jenn Hyman tells BoF.
Nordstrom, Tod’s and L’Occitane are all pushing for privatisation. Ultimately, their fate will not be determined by whether they are under the scrutiny of public investors.