No Fixed Abode files lawsuit against Versace for ‘copying’ its logo

  • London-based label No Fixed Abode (NFA) accuses Versace’s diffusion line of using its distinctive lion ‘knocker’ emblem on more than 200 of its products 
  • The brand has filed a lawsuit calling for the Italian giant to pay a licensing fee
  • Founder Emma Mann says she wants to ‘protect artists’ rights around the world’ 

An independent fashion brand has filed a lawsuit against Versace after accusing the luxury label of copying its logo.

British company No Fixed Abode (NFA) claims the Italian house’s Versus line has used its ‘knocker’ emblem, consisting of a lion’s head with a ring in its mouth, across its clothing, accessories and footwear.

Its founder alleges that Versace has passed off the design as its own, ‘on a global scale’ and is calling for the fashion giant to stop selling products bearing the image and ‘publicly admit what they have been doing’.

Founded by Emma Mann, London-based NFA, which sells streetwear-inspired clothing and accessories, has been using its distinctive lion logo since its incorporation in 2013.

A detail from a Versus Versace accessory from its 2015 collection

No Fixed Abode’s label, designed in 2013 (left) and detail from a Versus Versace accessory from its 2015 collection (right). NFA claims the luxury label has ‘ripped off’ its design

Launched in 2013 by Emma Mann (pictured) NFA, which sells streetwear-inspired clothing and accessories, has been using its distinctive lion logo since its incorporation in 2013

Launched in 2013 by Emma Mann (pictured) NFA, which sells streetwear-inspired clothing and accessories, has been using its distinctive lion logo since its incorporation in 2013

Mann says she noticed a striking similarity between Versus Versace’s graphics and her own branding while walking past a store in 2016, and claims she has since identified more than 200 products bearing the logo.

After trademarking the lion image at the start of 2017, the independent label is now taking on the corporate giant after launching legal proceedings and is calling for Versace to pay her a licensing fee.

A spokesperson for NFA said: ‘This is not a one-off case. It is happening time and time again.

‘It’s time we do something to protect artists’ rights around the world.’ 

An NFA t-shirt from 2013

NFA has drawn comparisons between its own designs and more than 200 Versus Versace products, such as this gold lion-emblazoned t-shirt from its 2015 collection

NFA has drawn comparisons between its own designs (left) and more than 200 Versus Versace products, such as this gold lion-emblazoned t-shirt from its 2015 collection (right)

A pair of shoes from Versus Versace featuring a lion 'knocker' emblem in 2015

A belt from Versus Versace featuring a lion 'knocker' emblem in 2015

Mann noticed a striking similarity between Versus Versace’s graphics and her own branding, and claims she has since identified more than 200 products bearing the logo (pictured: a pair of shoes and a belt from Versus Versace featuring a lion ‘knocker’ emblem in 2015)

Legal documents seen by MailOnline show the company filed a complaint against Gianni Versace S.p.A. and Versace UK PLC at the High Court of Justice in February. 

Versus was launched in 1989 by the late Gianni Versace – currently the subject of an FX crime series based on his 1997 murder – and relaunched in 2005 by his sister Donatella.

Versace declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.

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