The Donald J Pliner Company Files Lawsuit Against Its Founder/Former Designer And His Spouse

The Company Seeks To Protect its Brand and Require Donald and Lisa Pliner To Comply With Contractual Obligations

DJP Holdings, LLC, parent of the Donald J Pliner men’s and women’s luxury footwear and accessories business (“the Company”), has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against its former designer and founder Donald Pliner and his spouse Lisa Pliner.

The lawsuit asserts that the Pliners are violating the Company’s rights in connection with a new footwear business that they have just launched, with claims including breach of contract, trademark infringement, false advertising, deceptive trade practices, and unfair competition, among others. The requested relief includes stopping the shipment, display, or sale of infringing footwear and packaging made by the Pliners – at wholesale or in retail stores.

Selections from The Fall/Winter 2016 Footwear Collection from www.donaldjpliner.com.

The Pliners sold control of the Company in 2011, when it was experiencing numerous financial challenges. Since that time, the Company has invested significant resources and time reinvigorating the brand and improving the business.

In connection with the 2011 sale, the Pliners entered into agreements assigning all intellectual property, work product, designs, and all other aspects of the Donald J Pliner fashion brand, including the use of their names and rights of publicity, to the Company.

The suit filed in court outlines numerous recent activities by the Pliners that infringe on the Company’s rights and create confusion in the marketplace. The Company previously contacted the Pliners to remind them of their obligations with respect to their agreements. The Company has now determined that it must pursue this litigation in order to protect its business of creating luxury, fashion footwear and accessories known for innovative materials and quality craftsmanship.

The Donald J Pliner Company has built a reputation for its innovative materials and quality craftsmanship in men’s and women’s luxury footwear and accessories. Since 1989, the brand has been known for the combination of fashion, fit and comfort and enjoys a loyal, large client base and distinct market positioning. Donald J Pliner products are sold nationwide in select specialty stores and upscale department stores including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale’s. The entire collection is also available at the company’s six retail stores – Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, San Jose and on www.donaldjpliner.com.

The Company’s legal counsel is Ropes & Gray LLP as well as Abrams & Bayliss, LLP.

Aerie Lunches Women with the Fall 2016 “Share Your Spark” Campaign

Campaign Expands #AerieREAL Message & Best-Selling Sunnie Collection

Intimates and loungewear brand Aerie® announced the launch of its Share Your Spark campaign to empower women and expand its #AerieREAL message. The campaign encourages women to share their sparks—their positive thoughts and words of advice—on social media to inspire others. The launch comes at an especially proud moment as Aerie celebrates its 10th anniversary and more than two years of #AerieREAL, a commitment to 100% unretouched models that started in 2014 and has grown into a movement about body positivity and self-love.

Aerie Share Your Spark Campaign (PRNewsFoto/Aerie)

The Share Your Spark campaign launches with a video that brings together 40 Aerie girls from all walks of life, including #AerieREAL Role Model Iskra Lawrence, Aerie designers, social media fans, artists, bloggers and Aerie models Barbie Ferreira, Fo Porter, Amber Tolliver, Annie McGinty, Diana Veras and Eli Almeida. In the video, each #AerieREAL girl wears a bra from the Sunnie Collection as she shares her spark and passes it onto the next girl, empowering her and inspiring confidence.

“#AerieREAL celebrates real beauty, inside and out,” states Aerie Global Brand President, Jennifer Foyle. “It’s a message that resonates with our girls, and we’re so excited to give them a new way to join the movement with the Share Your Spark campaign.“

In addition to the campaign, Aerie introduces new styles under its best-selling Sunnie Collection, including a Sunnie Demi Coverage Lightly Lined Bra, Sunnie Bralette and Sunnie Undie. The new fits complement the existing Full Coverage Lightly Lined and Pushup styles from the Sunnie Real Soft® T-Shirt Bra Collection and can be found in stores and online at Aerie.com. Prices range from $14.50 to $49.95

Aerie Announces #AerieREAL Role Model Iskra Lawrence (PRNewsFoto/Aerie)

.

“It was truly inspiring to work with the 40 women on this campaign and celebrate body positivity and confidence in such an empowering way. Aerie continues to transform the industry by eliminating retouched photos and encouraging women to discuss important issues like body image, self care and education,” comments Aerie Real Role Model, Iskra Lawrence. “What spark do I want to share? Together, we can learn to love our real selves and change the world.”

Aerie invites anyone to join the movement and share their spark using #AerieREAL.