Lindsay Lohan Accused of Copying Designs

Only days after WWD published exclusive sketches of Lohan’s expanded 6126 apparel line, fashion blogs were abuzz with accusations of design copying. James Lillis, designer of Black Milk Clothing, honed in on the similarities between Lohan’s “Diamond” leggings — which feature a signature triangle cutout at midthigh — and his own “Sheer Spartans.” Lillis took to his blog (toomanytights.typepad.com) in a huff, posting photos of the two designs side-by-side and writing on his blog, “Caught a sneak peek at the new stuff from Lindsay Lohan’s brand 6126...No way…Sucks to be me!!!”

On Wednesday, style blog fashionista.com alleged another design copy. The look in question is a geometrically patterned “Deserve” dress from the 6126 line, which bears a resemblance to a Jen Kao design from her spring collection. A photo from last year shows Lohan wearing the Kao dress in question. Kao said Wednesday, “While we are all well aware that being ‘mimicked’ or ‘copied’ has always existed in this industry, I think the evolution of it all has grown to an alarming level. It’s a shame to support the concept of taking advantage of designers who are still trying to develop a name and solidify the image of their design aesthetic.”

Kristi Kaylor, president of 6126, disputed any idea the designs were copied, saying, “The alleged ‘copying’ claims made by these companies are false and have absolutely no merit or validity whatsoever. Any alleged similarities are purely coincidental. The 6126 illustrations for the upcoming fall 2010 collections do not even describe the fabric content, fit or actual construction details of the garments. This is merely an accusation based upon a pencil sketch with no concrete viable evidence to back up the allegations.” (WWD)

Hmmmmmm.......interesting.

Lindasy Lohan's 6126 to Launch full Apparel Line

LOS ANGELES — Lindsay Lohan is growing her apparel universe.

The starlet is set to expand her leggings label, 6126, to a full-fledged contemporary apparel line for fall 2010, with more lifestyle brand extensions planned for 2011. This will be in addition to her role as artistic adviser at Ungaro, a job that has drawn significant attention and controversy to the French brand.

Click to see more sketches of Lohan's new collection>>

Through her Twitter account, Lohan broke the news on Tuesday, posting: “i need MORE followers i am so sad about this, how can i tell everyone about my 6126 full collection COMING OUT! all clothing.”

Earlier, Kristi Kaylor, principal in 6126 LLC in Beverly Hills, and Henri Levy, chief executive officer of Los Angeles’ DNAM Apparel, which will manufacture the line under license, spoke exclusively to WWD about the expansion.

“We’ve had amazing success with the leggings line,” said Kaylor. “We have a great business with Neiman Marcus and several hundred great specialty stores. [DNAM Apparel] was the perfect partner to work with 6126 and grow it as a lifestyle brand. We’re launching the full clothing collection next year, and a cosmetics line, handbags, shoes, jewelry in spring 2011.”

Levy, whose company has produced clothing for Ed Hardy and Joe’s Jeans, said he was looking for “a feminine brand” for his stable.

The fall 2010 apparel line will comprise 100 pieces (spring 2011 will be 150) wholesaling from $18 for basic leggings to $300 for a leather jacket. Average retail price points will fall between $100 and $150. The 6126 leggings currently retail from $68 to $120.

“It’ll be a young contemporary price point with contemporary styling,” said Kaylor, citing the still-weak economy. “We’re conscious of it in the sense that we have great price points and quality products. The vision is to offer customers something that they don’t have in the marketplace today, items that go back with leggings: blazers, dresses and tops.”

Fabrics will include the same Modal and lace used in the leggings, plus cashmere and leather.

The line will retail where the leggings currently sell: Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom and specialty stores nationwide, plus Harrods, Lane Crawford, Kitson Japan and Isetan internationally.

Kaylor estimated sales of $3 million a year for the leggings, while Levy estimated the clothing collection’s sales will be $10 million wholesale in the first 12 months.

As for advertising, Lohan filmed an episode of Bravo’s “Double Exposure,” set to air in January, in which two photographers covered her shooting 6126’s spring 2010 campaign. Some of those photos will be used to launch the apparel line.

Kaylor stressed Lohan has been a hands-on partner, working with designers in her apartment earlier this month and throwing a working lunch for the design team at E. Baldi restaurant in Beverly Hills.

“She’s not a celebrity who lends her name to a brand,” said Kaylor. “She’s intimately involved from Day One. She picks fabrics. She looks at trims. She picks buttons. She doesn’t let anything go into production without trying it on.”

(WWD)

Cute stuff......I love the sketches!