Hasta La Ideas

In a legal brouhaha that could make fashion designers think twice about trumpeting the inspirations for their collections, Tony Duquette, Inc. (which holds various intellectual property rights associated with the designer and artist, who died in 1999) is suing Michael Kors, Inc. for trademark infringement. Duquette alleges that Kors “infringed the Duquette proprietary name and trademark by producing and marketing a Kors resort collection using the name ‘Duquette,'” according to a statement issued earlier this week. The lawsuit states that Kors used the 2007 book Tony Duquette (Abrams); photographs, images, and patterns from the book; and images of Duquette and his associate and co-designer, Hutton Wilkinson, in advertising and promoting the 2009 Michael Kors resort collection, which is now in stores worldwide. “Our corporate policy prevents us from commenting on pending litigation,” a Kors rep told us.

We noticed a cocktail dress from the resort collection that was originally listed on net-a-porter.com as “Duquette print dress” (pictured at right) was yesterday changed to “Malachite print dress.” Nordstrom is still using the former description. A copy of the court filing obtained by UnBeige explicitly mentions the Duquette-associated “distinctive deep green ‘malachite’ prints on the front and back inside pages [of the 2007 book co-authored by Wilkinson].” We have a hunch that this suit will prove to be a lesson on how not to promote and extend Duquette’s artistic legacy, which Wilkinson is currently trying to parlay into profits with a new line of Duquette-branded textiles.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media

From Julie:

Spotted on today’s Apartment Therapy: Mc & Co., a relative newcomer to the Brooklyn design scene owned by French artist Corinne Gilbert. We love the mix of products from Tse Tse, ceramics from Joan Bankemper, and light sculptures from Sylvain Willenz. 57 North Sixth St.; (718) 388-3551.

Debra Messing is one of the many celebrities who recently discovered the utter fabulousness of Black Halo and their signature ultra-flattering curve-hugging silhouettes. At the Damages Season 2 Television Series Premiere, Debra rocked a super sleek strapless Black Halo pencil dress. She maintained the polished motif with elegant black pumps a simple clutch, and beautiful, but still understated accessories for a look that was perfectly polished with a bit of playfulness. Straight, no fuss hair and minimal jewelry added a demure quality to this easy and effortless ensemble.

Create your own look with a dressy cami, high waisted pencil skirt, and narrow belt, or check out my SLIDESHOW to see the real deal!

Cologne 2009: A Restless Chairacter by Pepe Heykoop has won first prize in the [d3] contest, an international competition for young designers organised by IMM Cologne 2009.  (more…)

Before a website can progress from concept to illuminated pixels, it needs to be rendered the old-fashioned way—with pencil and paper. To save time and improve appearance during the process, the Web Design Sketchbook comes printed with blank web browsers and internet advertisement windows. That way, web designers can quickly depict their vision in a more finalized fashion, and hopefully win some more clients in the process.

The sketchbook was designed by Are Sundnes of Paranaiv. It’s currently only available with a Mac-specific Firefox window, aptly assuming that most web designers work on Macs.

The Web Design Sketchbook has 60 pages (45 browser windows and 15 with ad boxes) and comes wrapped and tied in brown paper. It can be purchased from Norway-based Hunting Lodge.

via Paranaiv