H&M Sues Shein For Ripping Off Its Designs

Photos 34611612 © Tomnex and 277441504 © Rafael Henrique | Dreamstime.com

Fashion goliaths are finally picking on others their own size instead of battling with independent designers.

In an astonishing discovery for style watchers, fast-fashion giant H&M is suing online retailing behemoth Shein over “multiple cases” in which the latter has purportedly stolen its designs, Bloomberg learns. H&M filed its complaints in Hong Kong against Shein Group Ltd and Zoetop Business Co, Shein’s former owner from Hong Kong.

According to the report, H&M began building its case against the e-commerce company since as early as 2021. It then officially filed a copyright infringement suit in 2022. These details have recently gone public after a hearing at the Hong Kong High Court last month.

As evidence, the Swedish-owned firm presented photos of dozens of products, including sweaters and swimsuits, that it found to be too close for comfort in its complaint.

It’s rare to see two fast-fashion brands tear off each other’s shirts. Typically, disputes about copied apparel involve one renowned retailer and at least one aggrieved designer. Both H&M and Shein have notoriously racked up heaps of accusations of using original artwork without permission.

H&M vs Shein pic.twitter.com/PdPWm0Xt1D

— ames (@petitpoisames) July 25, 2023

H&M has asked for unspecified damages, along with an injunction order to prevent Shein from violating its copyright and trademarks again. The next hearing is scheduled to take place on July 31.

[via Bloomberg and Highsnobiety, images via various sources]