The current technology offers us so much entertainment that goes beyond streaming services or video games. That includes even the petty ones, such as public spats between our followed celebrities or schadenfreude over public icons taking themselves down for everyone to see. With everyone, even our favorite brands and designers, on social media, it is easier to spot rivals taking aim at each other and even chime in on the conversation and take sides. The latest we have been served is an online shade thrown by Sophia Webster to Aquazurra.
The Instagram post, which has since been deleted, had Sophia Webster tag Aquazzura and tell the brand to message her should it want new and original ideas. The accompanying photo had an Instagram story of Aquazzura encouraging the pre-order of its Boss Lady moccasins, surrounded by photos of Webster’s footwear that also states “Boss Lady”. Webster even said that Aquazzura should have imitated the font she used as well. But here’s the thing: neither of the two owns the rights to “Boss Lady”.
Followers were quick to point the gaffe, saying that Webster shouldn’t be calling out Aquazzura for a statement she does not even own. The term is not used in a trademark capacity as, say, Louis Vuitton would with its toile monogram, Gucci with its web stripe, or Versace with its Medusa head. It is a pretty general term, and both camps do not have the say on which brand should use it, save perhaps for Boss Lady Entertainment, Inc. The said company is owned by Shante Broadus, who also happens to be rapper Snoop Dogg’s wife. The Fashion Law points out that Broadus could use trademark infringement against the two brands, although Sophia Webster and Aquazzura could use the defense that they are not using the words as a trademark.
Moreover, even though the shoes share the “Boss” and “Lady” on the pairs, the versions have plenty of differences between them. As Webster has been quick to point out, they do not share the same font, and Webster’s Boss Lady shoes had heels whereas Aquazzura’s were flats. There is also the question of different styles, with the former being more colorful. The only similarity lies on the Boss Lady design by the upper, which is not much case for Webster even if she did have the rights to the term.
Regardless of the minor throwing of shade, the future seems to be bright for both companies. Sophia Webster opened a new boutique not too long ago in Sloane Avenue, Chelsea. The second Sophia Webster in London, with the first located on Mount Avenue, Mayfair, had interiors that provided a perfect ‘Instagrammable’ backdrop and included her shoes, of course. Meanwhile, Aquazzura ended the last year with a bang, sealing it with memorable collaborations with Net-a-Porter, Claudia Schiffer and Racil Chalhoub, among others. The footwear company founded by Edgardo Osorio was also given the royal approval when Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle wore elegant shoes from the brand multiple times. It is eyeing further expansion in the United States and Asia in 2019.
Image credits: Sophia Webster, Rick Morris Pushinsky, The Fashion Law, Aquazzura, Getty Images, Jason Merritt, British Vogue, Claudia Schiffer, Shutterstock
