Steve McQueen's Son Sues Tom Ford Over "McQueen" Cardigan Line
March 29, 2019 7:15pm PT by Ashley Cullins
The late actor's heir says the fashion brand is trying to capitalize on McQueen's iconic status to sell sweaters.
Steve McQueen made cardigans cool and Tom Ford is trying to capitalize on the late actor's fame, according to a lawsuit filed Friday by the late actor's son.
Chadwick McQueen controls his father's rights of publicity and trademark rights, along with City National Bank, and claims Tom Ford's line of "McQueen" sweaters are infringing them.
At the height of his career, which included starring roles in 1968 films The Thomas Crown Affair and Bullitt, McQueen was among ththe highest paid actors in the world. He died in 1980 but, according to the complaint, commercial use of his likeness is still in demand. In addition to being known as a box office boosting bad boy, his son claims, McQueen was also known for his style.
"Certain sartorial items in fact became synonymous with McQueen," writes attorney Keith Wesley in the complaint. "One such garment was a wool cardigan sweater with a shawl collar. ... McQueen made that sweater cool — so much so that James Bond wore one forty years later."
Tom Ford is selling a "McQueen Cardigan" for $2390 and a "Merino McQueen Cardigan" for $1690 through its website (pictured below), according to the complaint. Meanwhile, Neiman Marcus is selling Ford's line and actually uses the actor's full name in the item monikers. Bergdorf Goodman describes them as "inspired by the iconic Steve McQueen."
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https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/steve-mcqueens-son-sues-tom-ford-cardigan-line-1198320
