Nanette Lepore files lawsuit against Bluestar Alliance

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Nov 1, 2016

Designer Nanette Lepore recently filed a lawsuit against partner Bluestar Alliance for breach of contract. The New York City-based designer is suing for $735,000 in damages for Bluestar allegedly “cheapening” her brand with “inferior and defective products.”

 
According to the lawsuit, Lepore received complaints for “shoddy products bearing her name” that posed health risks or quickly fell apart. The lawsuit further alleges that Bluestar tried to terminate its partnership deal with Lepore, which would allow them to use to the brand name without approval.
 
Lepore said in the lawsuit, "Indeed, adding insult to injury, despite firing Lepore as creative director, Bluestar continues to represent to licensees and others that Lepore approves and endorses BH's licensees' shoddy, defective and inferior products, when in fact she does not."

Bluestar fired Lepore from NL Brand Holdings, the holding company formed through the partnership, after the spring 2016 presentation. The company tried to hire Lepore under different terms, but she turned down the offer.
 
Lepore and Bluestar Alliance formed a partnership in 2014 to expand the Nanette Lepore brand. While Bluestar held 80 percent interest in NL Brand Holdings, Lepore owned 20 percent and the license to use the Nanette Lepore name for her fashion line. Lepore served as Creative Director with final approval of products and Bluestar operated the brand’s diffusion line. 

In 2016, Bluestar entered into joint venture partnerships with Bebe and Michael Bastian. The company also manages and markets brands Catherine Malandrino and Kensie.