Victoria's Secret settles lawsuit with Kiini

By

Kate Dingwall

Published
Apr 4, 2017

After two years, Victoria’s Secret and swimwear brand Kiini have settled a copyright lawsuit. Kiini filed the lawsuit with the US District Court in California back in October of 2015, claiming that Victoria’s Secret was selling a ‘virtually indistinguishable’ swimsuit to Kiini’s signature crochet bikini.

The suit was finally settled this week. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, but the case was subject to damages of up to $150,000.

Kiini is a New York-based swimwear brand that focuses on spandex swimsuits with crochet detailing. Each piece retails for around $165 per top and $120 per bottom. Founder Ipek Irgit has a copyright on the suit’s design, granting Kiini the “sole and exclusive owner to all rights, title, and interest in and to the copyright to the design.” The suit has been much favored by celebrities, such as Beyonce, Kendall Jenner, and Cara Delevingne.

In the summer of 2015, Victoria’s Secret released a similar suit to Kiini's. Fans of Kiini jumped on Victoria’s Secret, claiming they had ripped off Kiini. Irgit quickly filed copyright infringement, claiming that Victoria’s Secret copied the design. Victoria’s Secret version was called “The Crochet-Trim Teeny Triangle Top” and retailed for $100. The suit was removed from  Victoria’s Secret's website.

Victoria’s Secret has been under fire before for ripping off indie brands – the lingerie giant (who has since shuttered its swimwear division) went under fire on social media for ripping off Australian swimwear brand Triangl and its color-blocked suit.