Balenciaga smells like trees copied

New legal problems for Balenciaga.

This time at the center of the controversy there are the new tree-shaped calfskin keychains. The company of the Kering group has been cited by Car-Freshner Corporation and Julius Sämann Ltd for having copied, without permission, its famous Little Trees air fresheners or, as we know them in Italy, Arbre Magique. The plaintiffs argue that Balenciaga not only knew about the existence of their products, but indirectly explained that they were inspired by them, making buyers believe that it is a kind of capsule collection in collaboration between the two brands.

Car-Freshner Corporation, in fact, had already worked with different companies, such as Anya Hindmarch, turning her fragrant Little Trees into cards for bags, key rings, playing cards, greeting cards, shirts, toys, magnets and other items. Carefully observing the incriminated accessories sold for 195 euros on the Balenciaga e-commerce site, it seems undeniable the similarity, they are not in design, but also in the choice of colors, with the famous fragrances for interiors. So, what will happen? The maison will have to compensate the American company? Probably. It remains to be underlined how Balenciaga, since it is under the creative guide of Demna Gvasalia, is at the center of continuing allegations of plagiarism or copyright infringement. Remember the NYC souvenir bags?