Fashion Designer Marc Jacobs Is Getting Sued By The Band Nirvana

In 1992, Marc Jacobs was 29 years old designer for the American sportswear label Perry Ellis. He seemed unable to find a clear vision for the brand, or for himself. One runway show changed his life.

His 1993 spring “grunge” collection referenced the music scene that had sprung up in the US Pacific Northwest. Critics hated the plaid shirts, striped knits, and floral maxi dresses, accessorized with beanies and Converse sneakers that looked like it came from a thrift store. Perry Ellis let Jacobs go soon after. Oddly, the show elevated his career.

Last November reissued the collection under his own label with the use of Nirvana's "Smiley Face” logo drawn by Kurt Cobain.

This has landed him at the receiving end of a lawsuit.

On Dec. 28, 2018, Nirvana filed a complaint in a California court accusing the Marc Jacobs brand of copyright infringement.
The suit concerns a graphic in the reissued grunge collection with a strong resemblance to the Smiley face logo that was trademarked some time around 1992.