Kelly’s sexy new lingerie line and more fashion news!

Zephyrs, a New Jersey retailer of Italian hosiery, is suing Victoria’s Secret and its parent company Limited Brands Inc., for using images of its sexy stockings on its packaging and displays, while selling the consumer a lower-quality product.

The company alleges that the lingerie giant uses cheaper, “knockoff” hosiery to cut costs, thereby endangering its business and reputation.

“Victoria’s Secret changed the product in the packaging but didn’t change anything else except ‘Made in Canada’ on the back of the package,” the New York Daily News quoted Joseph Gioconda of Gioconda Law Group PLLC as telling Women’s Wear Daily.

“It used to say ‘Made in Italy’,” he said.

The company claims the inferior thigh-highs have irregular borders, missing heel reinforcements and shoddier construction.

The company is suing for 15 million dollars, claiming unfair competition and false advertising.

Zephyr is also asking the court to order Victoria’s Secret to yank the misleading packaging and displays, and to issue a recall for its Lace Top Fish Net Stockings, Fish Net Thigh-Highs With Backseam, and Signature Stripe Thigh-High With Bows.

The suit also claims that Victoria’s Secret is strong-arming them into signing an agreement that would demand they surrender all their designs and intellectual property.

Gioconda told the legal blog Above the Law that his client’s case has serious legs.

“As the jury’s verdict in the Apple/Samsung decision reflects, designers’ rights must be protected, regardless of whether the infringer is a small, fly-by-night operation or a large corporation,” he said.

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s lingerie collection goes on sale

British model and actress Huntington-Whiteley talked us through her 33-piece vintage-inspired collection, which hits MS stores today.

BY Ellie Pithers
30 August 2012

Rosie Huntington-Whitely poses at the press launch of her MS lingerie collection ‘Rosie for Autograph’ – appropriately surrounded by roses Photo: REUTERS

It’s a match made in heaven – impossibly hot British lingerie model partners with British underwear institution – but as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley unveiled her lingerie collection this morning, in collaboration with Marks Spencer, she proved this wasn’t just a range that a supermodel was blithely willing to put her name to.

IN PICTURES: See Rosie’s Marks Spencer lingerie range

Talking the fashion press through her 33 vintage-inspired designs alongside Soozie Jenkinson, Head of Lingerie Design at Marks Spencer, the Devon-born beauty revealed her extensive involvement in the desirable range. Reassuringly thorough, she explained that the starting point for her collection of slips, bras, knickers and sleepwear was the rose motif.

Genetically-blessed Rosie modelling her ‘Rosie for Autograph’ range.

“The soft, muted colours were inspired by English rose gardens,” she told the room, appropriately festooned with pale-pink rose garlands, “and the lace is based upon an antique rose pattern.” The rose theme continues through to the rose gold clasps and ‘Rosie for Autograph’ logo.

IN PICTURES: Rosie’s rise to fashion fame

So far, so obvious, but she also revealed a more esoteric knowledge of undergarments. “I’ve been collecting vintage lingerie, in particular silk kimonos, since I was 16, picking pieces up on modelling assignments in Paris and New York,” she explained. “I really love Art Deco styles from the ’20s and ’30s – the ’30s is my favourite era. The navy Deco set really channels this style with the fan detailing on the bra and the seams – and I made sure the knickers were smooth, so there would be no VPL.”

Aware that the average British woman does not possess her nubile body, she expressed her hopes that women would not be put off. “It was really important for me to design this range for all women, in all shapes and sizes. We’ve worked really hard to make the designs accessible, and to make them work in a range of sizes.” She points out a purple rose-printed bra and proudly states: “That comes in a G.”

Jenkinson added that keeping the price point low, without compromising quality, was another important goal. “We wanted to create something luxurious but affordable.” With prices starting at £12.50 for knickers, through to £22.50 for bras and £65 for the silk kimono, it looks like they’ve succeeded.

Rosie will be doing a signing in the Marble Arch MS store from 1pm-2pm today.

Genetically-blessed Rosie modelling her ‘Rosie for Autograph’ range.

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