Kmart and Shein sued by Aussie fashion label Sabo Skirt for allegedly ripping off its designs
As design “duping” continues apace, Brisbane-based Australian fashion brand Sabo Skirt has taken Shein, Kmart and 15 other brands to the Federal Court for allegedly copying dozens of its clothing designs.
The women’s clothing retailer accused these businesses of replicating some or all of its designs at lower quality in 36 different patterns, prints or sketches and selling them at lower prices, affecting the company’s sales and damaging its reputation. ABC reported.
Sabo Skirt, founded in 2011 by best friends and sisters-in-law Thessy Batsinilas and Yiota Kouzoukas, lodged the case in the Federal Court of Queensland through its business company Larry and Luke on February 26. The first to respond to the claim is that the ultra-fast fashion juggernaut accuses Shein of copying the design of six products.
Sabo Skirt, for example, claimed that it copied Shein’s red scalloped tile design on a white background, which included floral, grape, and pear designs, as well as other distinctive features such as V-necks and waist cuts.
Sabo Etek demands compensation from the companies in the form of loss of profit, loss of intellectual property value and loss of reputation calculated on the total sales of each participant.
A spokesman for Shein said they were aware of the allegations but could not comment further as the matter was before the courts.
“We take all allegations of intellectual property infringement seriously. We never intend to infringe on anyone’s valid intellectual property, and it is not our business model to do so,” the spokesperson said.
Sabo Skirt also accused discount department giant Kmart of copying designs such as lobsters, seashells and leaves scattered on a white background, ABC reported.
An online-only fashion store has been accused of copying the designs of 11 garments.
Sabo Skirt has been contacted for comment. Kmart declined to comment.
More to come
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Jessica Yun is a business reporter covering retail and food for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect with: X or email.
