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Aquazzura: Ivanka Trump Is ‘Deceiving Consumers’

Ivanka Trump
Ivanka Trump attends the Broadway Opening Night performance of 'Cirque Du Soliel's PARAMOUR' at the Lyric Theatre on May 19, 2016 in New York City.Walter McBride/WireImage.com

Putting its heel down. Aquazzura, an Italian footwear brand worn by celebrities like Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner and Reese Witherspoon, has spoken out about its lawsuit against Ivanka Trump. The daughter of Donald Trump released the $145 Hettie, a tasseled sandal that Aquazzura claims is a copy of its $785 Wild Thing heel. 

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“Aquazzura strives to create unique designs and cannot allow its well-known and signature styles to be copied as it undermines Aquazzura’s brand identity and confuses the public,” the brand said in a statement released on Friday, June 24. “Over the past two years, Aquazzura has repeatedly objected to Ivanka Trump’s shoe designs and is now taking action in court.”

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According to TMZ, Aquazzura alleged that Trump ripped off the Belgravia, pointed toe pumps with lattice ankle straps, and the Forever Marilyn, a pump with tassel details on the back, as well.

News of the lawsuit broke on Wednesday, June 22, and Ivanka Trump footwear responded soon after. "This is a baseless lawsuit aimed at generating publicity,” Matthew Burris, CFO for Marc Fisher (the licensing company of Trump’s company) told TMZ. “The shoe in question is representative of a trending fashion style, is not subject to intellectual property law protection and there are similar styles made by several major brands."

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The plaintiff begs to differ. “Aquazzura is a young company that puts our heart and soul into our designs. We have brought this suit to protect the intergrity of our designs, our hard work and to avoid consumers from being deceived,” Jean-Michel Vigneau, CEO of the brand, said in the statement. “If a company is allowed to use designs that they did not create … then the original designs are compromised.”

Before it took legal action, Aquazurra called Trump out in a March 4 Instagram post. “One of the most disturbing things in the fashion industry is when someone blatantly steals your copyright designs and doesn't care,” the brand captioned a side-by-side shot of the shoes. “You should know better. Shame on you @ivankatrump! Imitation is NOT the most sincere form of flattery.  #aquazzura #ivankatrump Proud of mine #madeinitaly #italiansdoitbetter 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹"

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