SYDNEY: Collette Dinnigan is standing firm in a trademark dispute with retail chain Colette Accessories, amid the launch of a new diffusion line and major store relocation.
Dinnigan said she has fought hard to build her eponymous label and brand recognition over 20 years and does not feel she should have to defend her name.
Dinnigan’s lawyers have filed an intellectual property infringement application against Colette Accessories owner Colette Hayman with the Australian Federal Court.
As exclusively reported in Ragtrader’s September 24 issue, Hayman fired back by lobbying for the removal of several of Dinnigan’s trademarks on the grounds of non-use. Dinnigan said this was not a personal matter.
“It is nothing personal, it is not bitter, so I don’t like people portraying it as that,” she said.
“We are having a lot of customer confusion and our customers are commenting on it. It is confusing that there is a chain of stores called Colette out there, because they think it is mine. We are defending our brand and protecting our brand in trademark.
“Colette Hayman is asking for the removal of our trademark Collette Dinnigan and Collette.”
This month Dinnigan launched a new diffusion line, Collette by Collette Dinnigan, into David Jones department stores nationally. She also produces a price-aware lingerie line called Collette, which launched into David Jones in June this year. It has been in development since 2008.
Dinnigan confirmed the new diffusion line has also been in development for a few years and sales were conducted early this year.
Dinnigan said each piece in the diffusion line is under $400, with a bohemian, folksy feel. Around 20 pieces will be available for summer 2010, with eight drops into store each year. Dinnigan said the diffusion line may serve as a suitable foray into e-commerce and social networking avenues in the future, rather than the premium line.
The company runs three stores, with its Sydney flagship set to relocate from William Street, Paddington, to Queen Street, Woollarah, next month.
"It is exciting as it is a much larger store,” Dinnigan said. “I am not sure what will happen to William Street as I am quite attached to it after 20 years. It could be good for the diffusion line – I don't know, we will see.”
Further retail stores are under consideration, with Brisbane the most likely next step, she said.
At the time of press Dinnigan was preparing to commemorate her 15th year at Paris Fashion Week with a 150-piece catwalk show themed ‘Cirque d'Amour’ on October 5. Buying meetings with international department stores and boutiques from Europe, the UK, Asia, Dubai and Russia were scheduled.
"Our collections aren't easy, ready to wear pieces any more – we are doing very specialised pieces,” she said.
“Things that are bespoke and embroidered with great French laces – you can't just copy them.”
Dinnigan said that at this stage, she had no plans to publicly celebrate her 20th year in business.
Melinda Oliver