Spanx and Yummie Tummie Head for a Shapewear Smackdown
The fashion industry has always been uber-competitive and the latest design dispute is between the folks at Spanx Inc and Yummie Tummie (Times Three Clothier).
According to a report, Sara Blakely (Spanx) and Heather Thomson (Yummie) are both after each other for supposedly stealing the other’s ideas.
In November 2012, Heather received a package that contained some Spanx goodies along with a note that claimed the items had been selling on the QVC shopping network.
Thomson shared, “I immediately recognized it as my original Yummie Tummie tank. We contacted Spanx by letter [through legal counsel] on Jan. 18 to notify them that they were infringing on my patent ideas and we asked them to cease and desist.”
“Spanx then asked for a [one-month] extension to be able to do their own due diligence.…They responded on Feb. 14 saying they didn’t think there was any patent infringement and requested another extension.”
A statement from Spanx concluded, “Spanx was making shaping camisoles long before Yummie Tummie. We have no further comment. The papers filed in court provide our position at this time.”
But Thomson isn’t having it— regarding Blakely, Heather declared, “I hope she’s ready for war because I will not lie down.”
|
Photo Credit: WWD
comments
