Small New York Designer Sues Kim Kardashian Brand Skims Over Alleged Copycat Branding

Kim Kardashian’s shapewear company Skims is facing a trademark dispute brought by a smaller New York–based designer, who alleges that the brand copied the name “Fits Everybody” for one of its most recognizable product lines. The case centers on claims that Skims used the phrase despite another business already establishing rights to it within the apparel space.

According to court filings reported by Page Six, the lawsuit targets Skims’ widely marketed “Fits Everybody” collection. The plaintiff, Denise Cesare, operates a much smaller label called “Fits Everybody To A T,” and argues that her company had already secured ownership of the name before Skims introduced its similarly branded line. She contends that this overlap has created confusion in the marketplace, especially given the massive scale and visibility of Kardashian’s brand.

The legal complaint, which spans more than 40 pages and was filed on March 31 in the Southern District of New York, asserts that Skims proceeded with its launch even after receiving multiple clear warnings about the alleged trademark conflict. Cesare’s filing characterizes the situation as one where a large, celebrity-backed company moved forward despite being aware of a smaller competitor’s prior claim, effectively overwhelming it through marketing reach and financial power.

The lawsuit further claims that Skims recognized the trademark belonged to a self-funded, woman-owned business and anticipated that the owner might lack the resources to pursue legal action. Based on these allegations, Cesare is asking the court to prohibit Skims from continuing to use the disputed name. She is also seeking financial compensation, including recovery of profits tied to the collection as well as legal expenses.

In public statements, Cesare’s attorney, Jessica Mathews, emphasized that her client built the brand independently years before Skims entered the market. The legal team frames the dispute as a classic example of “reverse confusion,” a concept in trademark law where a larger company’s branding overshadows a smaller, earlier user, leading consumers to mistakenly associate the original brand with the more dominant one.

Mathews also stated that attempts were made to resolve the issue before litigation, including requests for Skims to stop using the name nearly two years ago. According to her, those requests were declined. She pointed out that Cesare holds active federal trademarks, with registrations dating back to 2016 and more recently in 2024, reinforcing her claim of priority in using the mark.

The dispute has also involved the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which reportedly rejected Skims’ attempt to register the “Fits Everybody” trademark on more than one occasion. Officials cited a “likelihood of confusion” with Cesare’s existing mark as the primary reason for refusal. Despite this, Skims sought additional time to respond to the USPTO’s decision earlier this year, filing for a three-month extension within a six-month compliance window.

The complaint argues that rather than scaling back, Skims continued to promote and expand the collection, which is described as one of its best-selling lines. The filing estimates that the collection has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, potentially ranging between $700 million and $900 million, further amplifying the stakes of the dispute.

At the time the lawsuit became public, representatives for both Kardashian’s company and Cesare had not issued formal responses to media inquiries. The case now moves forward in federal court, where it will likely hinge on establishing priority of use, the probability of consumer confusion, and whether Skims’ actions constitute infringement under U.S. trademark law.

What you think Please Comment

1. Why is Kim Kardashian’s Skims being sued?

Skims is being sued by a small New York designer who claims the brand copied the “Fits Everybody” name, which she says was already trademarked by her company.

2. Who filed the lawsuit against Skims?

The lawsuit was filed by Denise Cesare, owner of the small fashion brand “Fits Everybody To A T.”

3. What does the lawsuit claim?

It alleges trademark infringement, stating that Skims used a confusingly similar name despite prior notice of existing trademark rights.

4. What is Skims accused of doing?

Skims is accused of continuing to use and expand its “Fits Everybody” collection even after being warned about potential trademark conflict.

5. What is the designer asking for in the case?

She is seeking to stop Skims from using the name and is also requesting damages, including profits and legal costs.

6. Has Skims responded to the lawsuit?

As of the latest reports, representatives for Skims have not publicly responded to the claims.

7. What is the legal basis of the case?

The case is based on trademark infringement and “reverse confusion,” where a larger brand allegedly overshadows a smaller one’s established trademark.