Daily Style Phile: Iris Apfel, A Rare Bird Of Fashion

Copyright Infringement Scandal

This past May, a press release regarding the unveiling of Iris Apfel's new line of costume jewelry to be sold exclusively through HSN caused quite the internet debate over copyright infringement in the blog world. Apparently, Iris had copied a toucan design from a brooch that she had picked up in Palm Beach designed by Hanna Bernhard Jewelry of Paris. A fan of Hanna Bernhard forwarded the press release to the French designers who were immediately in contact with HSN. A few days later the Home Shopping Network pulled the toucan piece out of the collection after an alleged phone call from Iris claiming she bought the toucan pin at a flea market. The French designers countered that in fact they had visited Iris in her home and she had shown them other Hanna Bernhard pieces she had bought in Pam Beach. Considering her new line is supposed to be 'inspired' by her travels and things she has collected, you be the judge. [via]