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Did Isabel Marant's Bart low-top sneaker take one too many cues from Adidas's Stan Smith? According to The Fashion Law, Adidas could have grounds for a trade dress infringement claim, based on the pretty obvious similarities between the two shoe styles. The possible design infringement is especially interesting given that Isabel Marant has dealt with her fair share of shoe style rip-offs in the past. Marant even admitted to WWD that she doesn't wear her iconic sneakers anymore because of the growing problem: "I don't wear them as often as I [used to] because I see too [many bad copies] in the street," Marant said. "I'm not saying mine are the most beautiful shoes, but they have a certain [style]."
TFL points out that, although each shoe has its own brand name carved into the metallic red heel tab, the overall design is strikingly similar. The design similarities could lead consumers to think that Adidas was working with Isabel Marant, or the two brands were somehow connected. This, TFL says, is where Adidas could make a solid claim for trade dress infringement.
Isabel Marant's sneaker on the left, Adidas on the right. Photo: The Fashion Law
· Did Isabel Marant Copy Adidas? [TFL]
· Adidas Paid Top Nike Designer Over $1M to Jump Ship [Racked]
· Adidas x Pharrell Drops This Weekend, Includes a Stan Smith [Racked]