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Bono’s wife sues Stella McCartney for a scent
By Karen Attwood, London Lite Last updated at 13:52pm on 12.08.09The wife of U2 frontman Bono has sparked a legal battle with Stella McCartney in a row over a new perfume, it was reported today.
Perfume stink: Stella is set to release her new fragrance
Fashion designer McCartney is about to bring out the new fragrance Stella Nude, an eau de toilette of her Stella perfume.
Nude battle: Ali Hewson with her husband Bono in St Tropez
But 47-year-old charity campaigner Ali Hewson — Mrs Bono — and her business partner Bryan Meehan, the founder of the organic food chain Fresh & Wild, are understood to have taken umbrage at the use of the word “nude”.
The business partners run Nude Skincare, which produces luxury all-natural skin care products and counts Helena Christensen among its fans.
Nude Skincare is reported to be suing for compensation over branding and the use of the word “nude”, not because of anything to do with the scent of the perfume.
But “nude” as a concept is already a huge part of 37-year-old McCartney's fashion brand. She is well known for her collections based on nude flesh tones and this summer's catwalk show featured models draped from head to toe in flesh tones.
A source said: “It would be quite funny, if it wasn't being taken so seriously. There are other perfumes with similar names after all.”
A writ has been issued and the case is understood to be coming before the Chancery division, which deals with copyright infringement and patent claims, this autumn.
McCartney is said to be hoping to settle the matter out of court.
The source added: “Stella isn't likely to make any changes now because the fragrance is coming out in September and nudity is a big part of the perfume's look. The bottle is a nude colour.”
Perfumes using the word “nude” in their branding are available from Estée Lauder, Bijan and Bill Blass. Nude Skincare declined to comment.
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Reader views (8)
I hope Ms. McCartney does not settle out of court. I would love to see her fight this. I am on Stella's side!
What an incredibly stupid lawsuit. How products have used the word "nude?" Years before, Mrs. Bono. I hope they all turn around and sue Alison for the same reason.
- Diane, Maryland, U.S.A.
You would have thought Bono would prevent this kind of rubbish.
get over it and give the legal fees to charity you pathetic people
- Giles Clarke, NY
These women are soooooooo boring...
- Po, Surrey, UK
Oh the travails of the super-rich.
Remember this story the next time her tax-minimizing rent-a-gob husband lectures you about his latest 'right-on' cause. Please, don't encourage them.
- Ged, Blackheath, London
"Perfumes using the word “nude” in their branding are available from Estée Lauder, Bijan and Bill Blass. Nude Skincare declined to comment."
Hmmm, what are the chances this "spat" is all a marketing excerise on behalf of both companies? Or am I being cynical?
I dread to think what the perfume smells like, just thinking about Stell McCartney nude makes me feel unwell.
- Bob, Cheam
Well, she needs to sue Bill Blass or whoever has the license rights now, because Bill Blass Nude perfume has been around for years. And Bijan has Bijan Nude - there are any number of perfumes that have been around for years with Nude in the name. Stupid woman.
- 888, London
How about Stella Naked? or Stella Starkers? Stella Rude?
No need to thank me.
- Peace Maker, Battersea
The silliest thing is not how the word NUDE is used, or who owns the term, but rather why anyone thinks that using such a word will boost sales. Why not simply call it sex, or bonk or bike-sheds ? it would have just as much credence and even more sense of originality.
- Keith Price, Luton England
