Von Dutch Sues Former Designer
Von Dutch Originals, a Los Angeles company known for its graphic T-shirts and celebrity following, has filed a lawsuit against its former head designer, Christian Audigier, who left to start his own company, called Ed Hardy Vintage Tattoo Wear.
The lawsuit, filed on June 14 in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that Audigier and several other defendants, including Audigier’s nephew, Vincent Audigier, took approximately $3 million in kickback money from Von Dutch’s suppliers and manufacturers and then used the money to start up Ed Hardy, whose product mix is similar to Von Dutch’s. The complaint also maintains that Audigier worked on his new business while still employed with Von Dutch even though his contract agreement stated he would avoid any conflicts of interest.
Christian Audigier, originally from southern France, left Von Dutch last year to start his Los Angeles apparel company, which sells T-shirts, trucker hats, shirts and pants with vintage tattoo designs. The line is named for tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy.
Audigier said he has not seen the lawsuit yet but knows his former employer is not pleased with his departure. “I know they are jalouses [jealous] because I am doing something new,” he said. “I have a lawsuit against them, too. They still owe me money.”
Calls to Audigier’s attorney, Richard Sherman, were not returned by late Thursday.
Von Dutch Originals, an 8-year-old company, is no stranger to the world of legal tussles. From 2002 to 2004, there was a protracted battle over the ownership of the million-dollar business, named for a man who detailed cars with distinctive artwork.
The ownership battle was resolved when Von Dutch Chief Executive Tonny Sorensen reached an out-of-court settlement with former Von Dutch President Michael Cassel for an undisclosed amount.
Currently, Von Dutch has two stores in the Los Angeles area and two licensed stores in Las Vegas and Miami. Other Von Dutch retail outlets are located in Bangkok, Rome, Paris, Mexico City and Milan.
—Deborah Belgum
