Gone are the days where knockoffs, or “dupes” as they’re commonly known in 2024, were seen as déclassé or low-class. Finding alternatives to your favorite clothing, furniture or even perfume is part of the fun of online shopping now, made easier by sites like Shein, AliExpress and Temu selling directly to consumers from Chinese factories, cutting out the middleman.
Kim Kardashian made a video touring her SKKN BY KIM office in LA.
— Rob Freund (@RobertFreundLaw) March 28, 2024
In the video, she name-dropped her Donald Judd tables and chairs.
But those furniture pieces were knock-offs, according to a lawsuit filed against Kim by Judd today. pic.twitter.com/q2y5M5b9fx
For the rich and famous, however, buying original brand name products is still the norm, or so we thought. But Kim Kardashian, one of the world’s most influential people, has recently found herself in hot water after being sued by the Donald Judd Foundation, which represents American minimalist artist Donald Judd’s interests after his death in 1994.
According to the suit, Kardashian falsely claimed in a video tour of her SKNN by Kim offices that the tables and chairs were designed by Judd when they were, in fact, knockoffs. In the suit, which was filed on March 27th, the foundation also names Clements Design, the company behind the alleged knockoffs, claiming they’ve committed trademark and copyright infringement by selling the alleged dupes.
She commissioned Clements to provide knockoffs to her. Judd has the literal receipt (below).
— Rob Freund (@RobertFreundLaw) March 28, 2024
They are suing because they don't want the Judd name associated with the allegedly inferior quality dupe furniture. pic.twitter.com/PcMQXA90wc
The lawsuit was a last resort on the part of the foundation — they had previously tried to have the video taken down, the furniture “recycled” and for Kardashian to release a statement. When none of those things came to pass, they opted to sue. Clements Design has argued that the claims have “absolutely no merit,” although a description of the items allegedly included the words “in the style of Donald Judd.” Oops.
Kardashian has yet to release a statement about the suit. It’s unclear why Kim, with all of her wealth and influence, simply didn’t buy furniture from Donald Judd Furniture itself — is saving a few coins really worth all this trouble? And if you value an artist’s work, wouldn’t you want to support them and not people whose only contribution to the world is the ability to produce pale imitations of better designer’s works?
At least now she can’t be mad at anyone who buys SKIMS dupes from Shein.
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