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Ivanka Trump’s Brand Falters: Boycotts, Copyright Issues, And Manufacturing Concerns

By Chanel Adams
Published on: 08:02 PST, Oct 25, 2016

Ivanka Trump’s clothing line is literally falling apart at the seams. While it’s been the center of controversy for the past few months, women are now boycotting the brand and stores that actively sell Ivanka Trump’s clothing and accessories.

Donald Trump’s controversial and inappropriate comments throughout the election have caused shoppers to take out their frustrations on Ivanka Trump’s brand. They are urging other shoppers to boycott her clothing line and the stores that sell it. San Francisco marketing specialist Shannon Coulter launched the social media campaign called #GrabYourWallets after a video surfaced of Donald Trump talking about groping women surfaced earlier this month.

Coulter explained to The Guardian that she’s seen sexual harassment at work happen before, which is why she created the campaign.

“If Ivanka Trump had distanced herself from the campaign, I would not be boycotting her,” she said in the interview with The Guardian. “But something changed for me when that tape was released.”

Other shoppers took to Twitter to express their support for the #GrabYourWallets campaign.

Coulter also has an up-to-date Google Doc list of all the retail stores and chains that currently sell Ivanka Trump’s products. The stores on the list include Amazon, Bloomingdale’s DSW, Macy’s, Nordstrom, T.J. Maxx, and Zappos, along with many others. She also encouraged shoppers to call the stores directly and ask if they sell Ivanka Trump’s products, to keep the list growing, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Ivanka has since spoken out about her dad’s 2005 comments in a statement published by Fast Company on Oct. 17.

“My father’s comments were clearly inappropriate and offensive and I’m glad that he acknowledged this fact with an immediate apology to my family and the American people,” as cited by Us Weekly.

In the meantime, Ivanka Trump is being sued for allegedly copying shoes from other designers. Luxury footwear label Aquazzura slapped Ivanka Trump and her eponymous shoe line with a trademark lawsuit earlier this summer. They accused her of “repeated infringement” and “deceptive trade practices” by copying Aquazzura’s “Wild Thing” high heeled sandal. The “Wild Thing” sandal retails for $785, according to court documents from June 2016.

Meanwhile, Trump’s “Hettie” shoe retails for $145 and has a strikingly similar design to the luxury shoe, according to the Huffington Post. Aquazzura has previously complained to Trump about two other shoes that bear similar designs to their “Forever Marilyn” and “Belgravia” designs. They also included photos of both versions in the court documents.

[Image by Joe Raedle/Getty Images]

Aquazzura previously lashed out at Trump back in March, with the company’s founder Edgardo Osorio reacting on the brand’s official Instagram page.

“One of the most disturbing things in the fashion industry is when someone blatantly steals your copyright designs and don’t care. You should know better. Shame on you [Ivanka Trump]! Imitation is NOT the most sincere form of flattery.”

There are also conflicting reports about where Ivanka Trump’s shoes are manufactured. As it was reported via QZ.com, Ivanka Trump’s eponymous line of shoes are made in China, but they may be made in Africa soon. Both Ivanka Trump and her father, Donald Trump, have been outspoken about bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., and have both been under attack for having products made in other countries. According to Huajian, the shoe company has supplied 100,000 pairs to the Ivanka Trump collection.

According to a new report via The New Yorker, Ivanka Trump’s brand include blouses, cocktail dresses, and shifts are aimed at the average everyday working woman. Not to mention, she also has a sub-brand with accessories and shoes. Her eponymous website includes tips for work, travel, and play. Ivanka Trump has built a brand based upon female empowerment, which was taken away after Donald Trump’s attacks on women. She was asked if that puts her in an awkward position and if it will ruin her brand.

[Image by Scott Olson/Getty Images]

“My brand was launched far before the Presidential cycle commenced and will continue long afterwards,” she sighed as she said. “I’ve always tried to maintain complete separation between that and the campaign. With that said, you know, one of the challenging things is just operating, living one’s life, with the intensity and the scrutiny of this process is a very hard thing actually to do.”

She went on to say that the media has been “vicious” to her and her family, and her father will accept the outcome of the election, no matter who wins. As for Ivanka Turmp, she’s fighting to keep her brand afloat.

Let us know your thoughts. Do you think Ivanka Trump’s brand should falter because of her father’s controversial comments? Or, do you think it should be under trouble for legitimate reasons only? Sound off below in the comments section.

[Featured image by Scott Olson/Getty Images]

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