Roberto Cavalli accused of plagiarizing graffiti art

Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli has been casted into the limelight once more, after a group of Californian-based graffiti artist filed

a lawsuit against the label for allegedly copying their artwork for his diffusion line 'Just Cavalli'.

The group of graffiti artists, Jason Williams, Victor Chapa and Jeffrey Rubin, respectively known as Revok, Reyes and Steel, filed their case at the Central District of California court and claim that Cavalli infringed their copyrights on work they created in San Francisco's Mission district in 2012.

The court document filed by the group argues that Cavalli breached the Lanham Act by creating a clothing line “in which every inch of every piece - including clothing, bags, backpacks, and shoes - was adorned with graffiti art,” according to The Fashion Law.

“If this literal misappropriation was not bad enough, Cavalli sometimes chose to do its own painting over that of the artists - superimposing the Just Cavalli name in spray-paint style as if were part of the original work. Sometimes, Cavalli added what appears to be a signature, creating the false impression that Roberto Cavalli himself was the artist.”

The artists are demanding that the collection be discontinued and that they are paid compensation for damages caused by the association with the brand. “Nothing is more antithetical to the outsider 'street cred' that is essential to graffiti artists, than association with European chic, luxury and glamour - of which Cavalli is the epitome. To anyone who recognizes their work, Plaintiffs are now wide open to charges of 'selling out,'” concluded the document.

In response to the allegations, a company spokesperson stated to US magazine that “no official notice of such suit has been received.” The spokesperson added: “However, we have heard of some highly inflammatory allegations, which have no basis in fact and are incorrect; we intend to contest and defend against these allegations vigorously.”

“In order to avoid the time and expense of unnecessary litigation, we also intend to communicate with the artists' attorneys to discuss a mutually agreeable resolution of the issues.”