Model Hailey Bieber is being sued by two former college roommates who developed a successful clothing brand under the “Rhode” trademark on Tuesday, claiming that she’s infringing on their trademark.
A federal trademark infringement action filed in Manhattan federal court requested that a judge cite trademark infringement and prohibit Bieber from selling or marketing any items bearing the Rhode brand. There was a separate claim for undisclosed damages.
According to the lawsuit, Hailey Bieber, an Instagram celebrity with over 45 million followers, needed judicial assistance since she has opened a skin care brand and has applied for trademarks to sell apparel.
According to the complaint, Hailey Bieber’s husband, artist Justin Bieber, has marketed her company to his 243 million Instagram followers, collecting 1.5 million likes with a single posting. There was no instant response from her attorney to our request for comment.
Purna Khatau and Phoebe Vickers have filed a lawsuit in an attempt to save the business they started in 2014 when they abandoned their day jobs to launch a high-end apparel and accessory line aimed at “feminine, confident, and well-traveled women.”
Their goods have been featured in Vogue, sold at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, and worn by celebrities like Beyonce, Mindy Kaling, and Rihanna since then, according to the company’s statement. According to the complaint, sales are expected to reach $14.5 million this year.