It’s going to be an awkward family gathering at the Rihanna family household after the singer’s own uncle was caught selling knock off versions of his niece’s clothing line for Puma.
Cops say it was the Work singer herself that noticed the counterfeit goods being sold at a store in Bridgestown during a trip back to her home country of Barbados in May.
The 29-year-old reported the incident back to Puma who flew back to the island to lodge a police complaint. Caribbean 360 reports.
But when officers began investigating they say they found, no doubt to the singer’s shock, that Rihanna’s uncle Leroy Fitzgerald Brathwaite, 53, was behind the counterfeits.
Rihanna’s (left) uncle Leroy Fitzgerald Brathwaite (right) was allegedly caught selling knock offs from the singer’s Puma range in Barbados
He is alleged to have been selling fake slippers and T-shirts, ripping off Rihanna’s famous Fenty line, worth around $500 USD in total
He is alleged to have been selling fake slippers and T-shirts, ripping off Rihanna’s famous Fenty line, worth around $500 USD in total. Items in Rihanna’s real range can cost well over $1,000 each.
Brathwaite, a Bajun artist who uses the stage name De Warrior, appeared in the local courthouse yesterday where he pleaded not guilty to the charges, filed under the Fair Trading Commission’s (FTC) Consumer Protection Act.
His defense attorney argues that the charges were improperly laid and should be dismissed as he never received a warning before his arrest.
Brathwaite, 53, a Bajun artist who uses the stage name, De Warrior, is pictured at a store in Barbados selling sandals labelled as Puma and Luis Vuitton
Brathwaite appeared in the local courthouse yesterday where he pleaded not guilty to the charges, filed under the Fair Trading Commission’s (FTC) Consumer Protection Act
Rihanna (left) who reported that counterfeit Fenty items were being sold in Barbados has not commented on the arrest. Brathwaite’s (right) case has been adjourned until next Tuesday, November 28
Brathwaite’s case has been adjourned until next Tuesday, November 28.
Rihanna is yet to publicly respond to the reports.
The Barbados-born musical artist partnered with German sportswear company Puma in 2014 when they named her creative director of their women’s collections. Since then, her Fenty line has been a hit as fans try to emanate the Umbrella singer.
She also debuted her second apparel collection with Puma during New York’s Fall Fashion Week that month.
Rihanna also released her own make-up collection Fenty Beauty in September.
Legitimate Fenty goods cost considerably more than the counterfeit versions. These unisex slippers cost $90
Rihanna also released her own make-up collection Fenty Beauty in September
According to Women’s Wear Daily, the line, which was praised for its diverse range for all skin colors, has already ‘earned her a whopping $72 million in media value in one month’
According to Women’s Wear Daily, the line, which was praised for its diverse range for all skin colors, has already ‘earned her a whopping $72 million in media value in one month’.
And in recent weeks, she was returned to first love, music – having made her comeback to the music scene on N.E.R.D’s single Lemon, their first track in three years, last month.
In a break away from her usual pop style, the beauty is heard rapping on the song, which she has previously done on Kendrick Lemar’s track Loyalty, as well as her own hit, B***h Better Have My Money.