Louis Vuitton does not like the unauthorized use of it’s monogram… we’ve seen that for sure.  But they REALLY, REALLY don’t like it when that use could be construed as potentially offensive and damaging to their reputation.

The picture above was included in Foreign Policy’s article, “A World Without Islam”, by Graham E. Fuller.  This is the response from Louis Vuitton that came out in the January/February 2009 issue on FP’s use of the Monogram.

“The article “A World Without Islam” (January/February 2008) included a reproduction of our historic and highly recognizable registered trademark, the Louis Vuitton Monogram Pattern, without our authorization. Such use could lead your readers to the mistaken impression that Louis Vuitton Malletier was involved in some way in its publication. The illustration, depicting a bearded man wearing a turban and robe featuring our trademark monogram, might be construed as offensive by people of the Islamic faith. Importantly, this use of our monogram design in an illustration could damage the long-established relationship we have carefully built with the Middle East and its people since the opening of our Louis Vuitton stores in the region.

—Michael Pantalony
Director of civil enforcement for North America
Louis Vuitton Malletier
New York, NY”

Remind anyone of the Mao Tse Tung Time Magazine pic?

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McDonald’s uniforms in the UK just got a serious overhaul by designer, Bruce Oldfield. I guess the old poly favorite of Emo’s everywhere was in serious need of updating, and Oldfield was brought in to tackle the job.

There have been whisperings that the patterned shirt looks too similar to the pointed quatrefoil in the traditional Louis Vuitton monogram. Here’s a snippet from a UK Telegraph article on the uniform:

“The pattern bears more than a passing resemblance to the Louis Vuitton logo, but Mr Oldfield insisted it was not deliberate.

‘I wanted to use the golden arches but I was told I couldn’t because of company policy, so I had to have a re-think. I think it looks chic and modern, and the girls look really good.

‘People have mentioned the Louis Vuitton thing but it is not a Louis Vuitton design!’ he said.”

I’ve been dying to post on the history of the quatrefoil… so this is giving me inspiration. Watch for it.

What do you think?

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