Christian Dior denied Wednesday that it is planning to make red-soled shoes for next season — a bit of news that may come as a relief to Christian Louboutin, who owns the red-sole trademark and has gone to court to defend it.
The denial contradicts published reports that a Dior salesperson told a Louboutin private investigator that the company would launch a collection of red shoes with red soles.
“Christian Dior does not manufacture and sell any shoes with a red sole,” a Dior spokeswoman told WWD Wednesday.
According to court papers filed Tuesday, Louboutin hired a private eye in connection with a lawsuit against Yves Saint Laurent over whether its all-red pump infringes upon the red-sole mark.
Louboutin’s lawyer, Harley Lewin of McCarter & English, said that a report by the New York Post “implied” that his client would press charges against Dior, a notion that is “not accurate and not true.”
Alleged inaccuracies aside, papers filed on behalf of Lewin seek a preliminary injunction of the sale of YSL’s red shoe.
New York Southern District of New York Judge Victor Marrero will decide whether to grant the injunction on Friday.
“If the order is not issued, it would be seen by third parties as a sort of win by YSL,” said Lewin, who explained that this could lead to a “ripple effect,” signaling that other brands could produce red-soled shoes without the threat of any legal action from Louboutin.
Via WWD
