Coogi Partners LLC v. Louis Vuitton, Pharrell Williams & NIGO (SDNY, 2025)

COOGI sues Louis Vuitton, Pharrell Williams, and NIGO for copying its iconic knitwear designs in LV’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection.

Short Description :

Coogi Partners LLC, known for its colorful textured knitwear associated with hip-hop culture, filed a lawsuit in May 2025 against Louis Vuitton and its creative team. The complaint alleges that LV’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection deliberately copied Coogi’s famous “Rag & Bone” sweater design and trade dress, causing consumer confusion and exploiting Coogi’s cultural reputation.

Facts :

⦁ Coogi’s knitwear has been widely recognized since the 1990s and is considered a cultural symbol in fashion and music.

⦁ Louis Vuitton’s F/W 2025 collection, presented in Paris, included sweaters that closely resembled Coogi’s signature designs.

⦁ Media outlets described the collection as “Coogi-flavored” and “virtually identical” to Coogi’s knitwear.

⦁ Cease-and-desist letters were sent by Coogi in February 2025, but no response was received from LV.

⦁ The lawsuit was filed on 8 May 2025 in the Southern District of New York.

Findings (Allegations)

⦁ Copyright infringement of Coogi’s sweater design.

⦁ Trade dress infringement: copying the distinct colorful patterns and textures.

⦁ False endorsement and unfair competition: creating consumer confusion about collaboration.

⦁ Dilution of brand reputation by unauthorized use.

Suggestions :

⦁ Luxury brands should respect cultural heritage and smaller design houses when creating collections.

⦁ Stronger legal enforcement is needed to prevent misuse of trade dress in fashion.

⦁ The court should impose remedies to protect cultural originality and creative identity.

Judgment / Current Status :

⦁ Case filed: 8 May 2025, U.S. District Court, SDNY.

⦁ Judge: Katherine Polk Failla.

⦁ Summons served on defendants by 30 June 2025.

⦁ Louis Vuitton and others were granted time to respond by 25 July 2025.

⦁ Final judgment is pending.