Tamara Mellon has accused Jimmy Choo of sabotaging her brand.
Tamara Mellon
The 47-year-old fashion designer - who co-founded the iconic company with Jimmy in 1996 before leaving in 2011 - has now slammed her former business partner, 66, and accused him of using underhand tactics to damage her own eponymous label which she started in 2013.
In a strongly worded letter sent to the company, Tamara's lawyers state: "Jimmy Choo has approached individual key suppliers directly and put pressure on them not to do business with [Tamara Mellon]."
The correspondence also alleges Jimmy Choo is breaching EU antitrust law by forcing "a number of key suppliers" to halt their support of Tamara's company.
According to the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column, the letter claims the company makes suppliers sign contracts ensuring, "for the duration of their agreement with Jimmy Choo, they would not produce anything nor cooperate directly or indirectly . . . for or with Tamara Mellon."
However, Jimmy Choo has refuted the claims, with the company issuing a statement explaining the allegations will be "vigorously contested".
A representative said in a statement: "We have received a letter, which is being evaluated. Our initial assessment is that the complaint has no merit and will be vigorously contested. We plan to make no further comment until the process is completed."
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