Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Vuitton Refuses to Be Accessory to Genocide

Luxury firm sues over fundraising T-shirt

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2008 4:37 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – A Danish designer hoped her T-shirt featuring a starving child tricked out with Paris Hilton's favorite accessories—a Louis Vuitton handbag and her tiny dog Tinkerbell—would highlight the media's distorted priorities and raise money to fight genocide in Darfur. The French luxury brand, however, was not amused, and has launched a lawsuit calling for a halt in production of the T-shirts and demanding $7,500 for every day her website uses the Vuitton name, reports ABC News.

"This was meant to raise a discussion on how we all prioritize. At this point, I'm so happy that the lawsuit has caused so much attention," said the artist, who's a member of Designers for Darfur. "We're hoping that they will turn around and maybe we can do something together, figure out a way that will benefit both Darfur and them."

Protesters rally in Washington against the genocide in Darfur.
Protesters rally in Washington against the genocide in Darfur.   (Getty Images)
Luxury-goods company Louis Vuitton has launched a lawsuit against a designer who used an image of a Vuitton bag for a T-shirt design aimed at focusing attention on the Darfur cause.
Luxury-goods company Louis Vuitton has launched a lawsuit against a designer who used an image of a Vuitton bag for a T-shirt design aimed at focusing attention on the Darfur cause.   ((c) raybdbomb)
Louis Vuitton has launched a copyright infringement suit against the designer of this T-shirt showing a Darfur victim holding a Vuitton handbag.
Louis Vuitton has launched a copyright infringement suit against the designer of this T-shirt showing a Darfur victim holding a Vuitton handbag.   (nadiaplesner.com)
A demonstrator shows a hourglass during a protest against the genocide taking place in Darfur.
A demonstrator shows a hourglass during a protest against the genocide taking place in Darfur.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

The Danish designer's homepage
Nadiaplesner.com

Interview with the designer
New York

 
Darfur • Louis Vuitton • Sudan • design • T shirts • handbag

More Newser Stories

Sudan Says Rebel Chief Killed

It's a New Beginning Today in Sudan

Don't Blow It, World: Sudan Has Chance at Peace

China: Those Weren't Our Bullets in Darfur

Clooney Jokes About Humanitarian Award
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne