SIMPLE LIVING COMMENTS
5/6-2008  •  O-producer, USA - Chicago
Nadia, we have been in touch with the organization Designers for Darfur in reference to featuring their wonderful organization as well as yourself on a major talk show here in the United States and seen all over the world. After a quick search of the internet, I wanted to personally reach out and let you know how proud I am of you for fighting for your right to free speech and expression. As soon as the details for the upcoming appearance are finalized, we will contact Designers for Darfur in our effort to move forward and provide you with the maximum exposure necessary to reach your goals. Until then, continued success!
5/6-2008  •  nisu.-, Basque country
Hello Nadia: A greeting from the Basque country. With your permission I have placed Sample Living's news in my blog.... http://nisu.blogia.com/ Also I connect your page. I believe that they must know you. I believe that your work must be known, recognized and spread. All this for a good reason. Any attempt of creating a better world does us more free. Congratulations for your work. Good-bye.
5/6-2008  •  Paul Sergio Mure-San, Transilvania-Ro
hey nadia, idea este ecscelenta si adevarul doare toteauna FUCK OFF LV
4/6-2008  •  T. Mortimer, NYC, USA
Thank God for human beings and artists like Nadia Plesner. Louis Vuitton should be ashamed of themselves for their recent behavior. If Louis Vuitton had half a brain and/or heart they would find a way to fund this courageous artist’s hard work as opposed to attempting to stifle her noble attempts with silly lawsuits and threatening behavior. Something tells me that Louis Vuitton will eventually regret their position on this case, especially in light of today's major ruling against them as concerns the copyright lawsuit against Dooney & Burke. The world is starting to see cracks in the veneer of the house of Louis Vuitton. There is a general consensus that definition of luxury is changing. Luxury now also includes carrying about your fellow man and the world we live in. Karma is a bitch Louis Vuitton!!!
4/6-2008  •  Jennifer, USA
im happy to have stumbled across a blog about your campaign while searching for a new lv bag. i decided to read on and do a bit more research. i have been an LV customer for a long time, and was going to shell out $1,450 for their newest bag, but NO! never again! thank you! enjoy the free press while they are at it!
2/6-2008  •  Mathilde, Denmark
Keep going!
31/5-2008  •  PS, Poland
some of us are not brave and/or creative enough..so "chapeau bas" Nadia! Keep the faith!
31/5-2008  •  Leanne Leith, USA
spreading the word: http://justcauseit.com/blogs/alyssa-royse/fashion-victims keep the faith!
31/5-2008  •  freddy, germany
louis vuitto`n should spend their time to bring some fresh bags out!... maby whith a new pattern ;) ..keep going!
29/5-2008  •  J.D. Ostrowska, Poland
symbols have been always used in art, as they are easily recognizeable and understandable for everyone. the dialogue between people of different nations around the world needs popular icons. nadia's work is a well shown observation and great comment to the situation nowadays.
28/5-2008  •  Günther, Belgium
Keep on moving!
27/5-2008  •  Elizabeth R, USA
Don't let them tell us what we may call art! Don't give up! More cases - similar to yours.... http://www.foley.com/publications/pub_detail.aspx?pubid=1697 http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/1999/06/20036 http://www.ncac.org/art/20040810~USA~Tom_Forsythe_Food_Chain_Barbie.cfm http://www.aclu-sc.org/releases/view/100174 http://www.studio360.org/commentary/2001/03/24 http://gaycityusa.blogspot.com/2006/08/barbie-lesbian-art-results-in.html EXCERPT: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently answered this question in Mattel Inc.'s lawsuit over the song "Barbie Girl," a Top 40 hit that pokes fun at Barbie and her plastic life. Mattel Inc. v. MCA Records Inc., 2002 DJDAR 8297 (9th Cir. July 25, 2002). In a victory for the First Amendment, the court found that the public interest in free expression outweighs Mattel's trademark rights. It affirmed the District Court's ruling that "Barbie Girl" neither infringed nor diluted the Barbie mark. I wish you luck!!!
27/5-2008  •  Jet, Brazil
Well, judging by your doubtful Darfur T-shirt design one can tell you're loving the free media exposure brought to you by LV. I really don't think you'd hire 3 lawyers against, let say, some Chihuahua protection group or a black advocate group. You'd either keep that low profile or not care about it, wouldn't you? By the way the concept of clashing social values was done in the mid 70's. Punks loved to do that. Like yourself, I felt like putting down my opinion. Whatever. Good luck.
27/5-2008  •  dominique chambon, france
I just listened your commentary at Euronews. You are just right when you say that - unfortunately - nobody, anymore, pay any attention to a small skiny black boy, even if a bunch of flies are eating his eyes, while one is eating his burger. You are also right saying that a world-known trademark, which is immediately identifiable, can help the boy to be recognized, and the cause that goes with it too. You are right also, to claim your artist liberty to express your feelings and raise funds for your cause. I hope that LVMH will soon understand the benefit they may get with a collaboration with you instead of a conflict. Nobody has ever succeeded in stopping the freedom to think. I would like to order your T-Shirt and the poster. Keep on going!
24/5-2008  •  Shahla MAUCH-DEYHIM "Epi Plage" Hotel, france
I had a probleme with Luis Vuitton as well, the took my label "Epi Plage" without authorisation and after 6 years of low and justice, they lost the case:"as copier of my lable"! I wish you much succes. I give you my lower's name if you want to get in tuch with; Fabienne Fajgenbaum, 155, bd.Haussmann, 75008 PARIS. office@nfalaw.com I go to order you Tshirts for my Organe Donation Association, "Donnons pour Sauver". Cordially. Shahla
23/5-2008  •  caroline , france
Bravo what a great idea Nadia. It is provocative but the people need some things like that to realise the desaster in others countries. I am very touched from your art. Thank you a lot.......
23/5-2008  •  Lisa, Viet Nam
Nadia, Your idea is profound; it is relevant, provocative and original in its concept. Congratulations on such a powerful message. I don't think there is any single right way to view the morality of your design. After all, if more people listened to the ideas of others, perhaps the situation in Darfur would be different today. However doesn't the need to raise money for a legal defense begin to move this situation beyond your original intent and become more about your artistic freedom and less about Darfur? Just a question.. I hope you can get through this; the world needs creative minds like yours.
22/5-2008  •  Lisa, Viet Nam
Nadia, Your idea is profound; it is relevant, provocative and original in its concept. Congratulations on such a powerful message. I don't think there is any single right way to view the morality of your design. After all, if more people listened to the ideas of others, perhaps the situation in Dafar would be different today. However doesn't the need to raise money for a legal defense begin to move this situation beyond your original intent and become more about your artistic freedom and less about Dafar? Just a question.. I hope you can get through this; the world needs creative minds like yours.
22/5-2008  •  Hector, Mexico
Apoyo total Nadia, no te dejes amedrentar por las coorporaciones globalizadoras, eres un ejemplo de lo que muchos diseñadores deberiamos de hacer y ocupar al diseño en un ambito social y no solo en el comercial. no estas sola
22/5-2008  •  Juan, Spain
Nadia, tu idea es muy buena, y tu diseño también, por eso al Sr. LV le ha molestado. Si le pica, que se arrasque. Aguanta, hasta donde puedas. Mucho ánimo y gracias por tu campaña.
21/5-2008  •  Paula, Portugal
Sinceramente à primeira vista até parece que LV está a ajudar a causa! Até é bom para eles. Aproveitem a publicidade! Quanto aos 30% acho que podias repensar........ Boa sorte!!!
21/5-2008  •  Max, SAN MARINO
Louis Vuitton, PLEASE STOP YOUR INSENSIBLE ASK AND LET THE HUMANITARIAN PUROPOSES GO ON!!
21/5-2008  •  sancho frank, netherlands
has mtv sued you already because of the reference to "the simple life"?
21/5-2008  •  ed charles, mexico
hi nadia, firstly great respect for your work and spirit! but i cannot stop thinking that the SL stuff you developed was not done initially - and purposefully - with LV in mind; the visual reference is overwhelming and thus the immediate association cannot be waived. you are right to make a statement, but you could have done this with - e.g. - a big fat car behind the kid. the message would have been as impactful, with the large opportunity to not refer to a brand that does not belong to you. i am fully aware that a non-reference design on the bag would not have made the message as strong as it is now, but i am sure most people buy the pieces because of the "hilarious" combination and reference to the LV piece. you are right in saying it becomes art like this, but this is only because the piece lives on the edge. GIVE TO DARFUR, but do not make a respectable brand rediculous in the effort.
21/5-2008  •  Vanessa Perez, Spain
Nadia, keep it strong!! If there is a way for us to sign a petition agains Louis Vuitton for their superficial actions, please do let us know. More strength if more numbers!
21/5-2008  •  YO, CATALONIA
LOUIS VUITTON = SATAN-DOLAR
21/5-2008  •  vanitatis, catalonia
NADIA THE BEST. A LA MIERDA EL CAPITALISMO.
21/5-2008  •  ricardo pereira, Portugal
Be firm and good luck
21/5-2008  •  Carlos Velez, Portugal
Well done Nadia ! Congratulations for your compaign and for your attitude ! I can't believe in what Louis Vuitoon is doing ! I will not buy any more products of LV EVER. They should give some money to Darfur as well, instead of suing you! Do not give up. The world will support you
21/5-2008  •  João, Portugal
Don't give up!
21/5-2008  •  Tiago Wiborg, Netherlands
Good work :-) Keep it up! Those L. Vuitton sharks can go to hell, they're only making themselves ridiculous with all this noise. Wgy should they complain, you are giving them free publicity, and the excuse that you would be defamating their brand is just nonsense, as if the paris hiltons and her likes would stop to buy their products.. They have enough money, let them be the ones to do something about poverty! Good luck with the lawsuit!! :-) cheers.
21/5-2008  •  Henrique, Portugal
Não desistas! Vai em frente. O Mundo está do teu lado. E quanto mais barulho fizer louis Vuitton, melhor para a tua campanha.
21/5-2008  •  Idalecio, Sweden
What's wrong with you portuguese people. saw 3 comments:2 supporting LV side and copyright protection. Or should I say, taking someone with positive ideas and putting her down? That's what portugal is about. That and so much more make that such a rotten country. Next time you criticize negatively someone that's trying to give a contribution to the needed ones, look at the mirror. And I know what I'm talking about as I am portuguese! Just a last comment about the nadia vs. lv case: I am not an expert on copyright. Far away from that! But my ideas on this subject match very well with larry lessig's glorious talk on this subject that can be found at: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/187
20/5-2008  •  mercy, Holland
Go girl! Its very touching to see that you are raising awareness for the unfourtunate in darfour. I think that instead of being against you, the vuitton people should stand with you and get through to their rich clients. I think that way they will gain more popularity.
20/5-2008  •  A.Mendes, Portugal
Congratulations Nadia, at this moment your idea has been a success, you are making some money for a great cause and at the same time LV is also getting lots free publicity for its products to be sold in the market. Both sides are wining with your work.
20/5-2008  •  Serra, Portugal
I Like brands, I like icons, i like copyrights. I´m a designer and i like the things as they are (or try to be). I like to work and get paid for it. And I don't like somebody to steel my designs, like the brands you are trying to use for your profit. But thats the difference between design and pseudo-intellectual-artists. To much profit for you and to less for Darfur. Go back to school. The Idea is brilliant but is missing the development and the ethics.
20/5-2008  •  diana, colombia
keep going girl.. :) best wishes
20/5-2008  •  EDSON NASCIMENTO , BRAZIL
Dear Nadia Plesner, CONGRATULATIONS BECAUSE YOU SUPPOSE A REAL SITUATION NOT A BRAND CAMPAIN, SO KEEP GOING AND THE WORLD SUPPORT YOU... THIS IDEA YOU HAVE IS NOT A BRAND IS A GLOBAL SITUATION THAT NEED A SOLUTION. SO MR. L.V TAKE CARE OF YOUR BUSINESS AND SPECIALY GO TO CHINA AND FIND YOUR PRODUCTS THERE FOR 1$ AND FORGET ABOUT THE LADY...... CONGRATULATIONS NADIA !!!!!
20/5-2008  •  carmen, Togo living in London
Nadia Bravo it nice to know that some people care about the reality of things going on in Darfur. 2nd Louis Who? Who cares about those animal killers just for the name of lather so I am not surprise that they are trying to make your life miserable. Listen girl way to go never let anyone tells you the opposite of your humanitarian act. Go on many of us are behind you well-done
20/5-2008  •  Pat, PL
Any news about the case?
20/5-2008  •  whoever, Spain
Even if Nadia is going to earn money with this we need more Nadias and none Louis Vuittons, probably she will share or give awat the money. Go on Nadia¡¡ good luck¡¡ and trust in goodpeople they will take you out of the claws of the luxury monsters. I'm an artist and have an almost identical piece but this is not something to put Nadia down as I've read in other post, Ideas are floating out there for everyone, sometimes more that one person jumps and get them. Best regards and all the luck Nadia.
20/5-2008  •  Cristy, Australia
Shame on Louis Vuitton!! They still cannot see past their profit margin! I hope you are successful and keep printing these shirts! Good luck :)
20/5-2008  •  m.mai, Danmark
Hvor er du sej. Din Darfur kampagne har reddet min dag. du har min fulde støtte
20/5-2008  •  Patricia, Spain
Way to go Nadia! with the world in turmoil, people should really think twice about spending so much money on useless unnecessary things! especially in hollywood which sets a false trend that all these luxury goods are a guage for success! Just look around us, the world needs help and your art is just a medium to subtly let people know...whats wrong with that? its only right! So now let me know PLEASE how I can order these t-shirts and your posters! and how to get it to spain! I am an artist too and are one with you :)
20/5-2008  •  Kat White, Sydney
I just read an article about your design on the Sydney Morning Herald. It's great to see people fighting for what they believe in. And at the end of the day you have made people listen to a very important message. Keep on fighting, you have my support :)
20/5-2008  •  Adras, Mexico
I think is a great idea of yours. keep going for the speech freedom and for helping others with your art. you are an example for designers worldwide. you rock!
19/5-2008  •  Supporter, Denmark
*marco, No Marco, Nadia is not a joke - you are, sorry. LV is trying to save their own ass, so being a little "creative" when it comes to "who did what when" is maybe not so important to them. What is important however is 1) help the victims of Darfur - because nobody seems to give a damm about them 2) stand up for freedom - i.e. freedom of speech as well as artistic freedom. It never was more important. A cartoonist in the Netherlands has just been jailed - because some islamists (and government officials) find his drawings "dangerous to society". So, go for it Nadia. The world need more Nadias ...
19/5-2008  •  Tim Lynch, Canada
Bravo Nadia. Your insight, courage and compassion are all inspirational. Don not be bullied by anyone particularly a luxury goods manufacturer. I support you and your cause completely. Avec mes seintiments sincères. Tim Toronto
19/5-2008  •  Krusemaggedullen, Denmark
You.rock!
19/5-2008  •  John, UK
Hi Nadia, Why not stop selling the tee shirts as per LV's request, and start distributing for free on receipt of a suitable donation to the cause? Say, 35 Euros + postage? Good luck fighting your side, tell them to go pick on the multitudes of fakes you see. John
19/5-2008  •  Juan Barca, Mexico DF
Arriba el disaing!, toing para vuitton! gana nadia!
17/5-2008  •  Iben , Denmark
Hi Nadia... I can't help thinking that you Dafur illustration reminds me of an art piece I have by the Tanzanian artist, Lilanga. It might be of interest to you. I put pictures of the piece on Facebook... Best regards Iben http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=12685622005&view=all
17/5-2008  •  Icono Magazine, México
Sobre todo Libertad de Expresión, ese tipo gana millones y debe hacer algo por ayudar y no por chingar, además tu justificación del cartel es excelente sigue ayudando, mejor que demande a los chinos que realmente son con los que tiene más bajas en ventas... saludos de www.iconomagazine.com por el apoyo de los colegas...
17/5-2008  •  DG. Jessé Méndez Glz, MÉXICO
NO TE DETENGAS, la Libertad de expresar TODO lo que es bueno y digno de enmarcar esta dentro de la habilidad y madures para de mejorar, y ser cada dia mejores. En Darfur necesitan gente con el coraje y valor para ir a esos tierras olvidadas por los grandes conglomerados de la industria fribola. Y darles una mano de ayuda. Si tanto les duele por que nunca antes, estas empresas fribolas an aportado algo para una causa justa. Por que ahora resulta que les incomoda tanto. La verdad duele, pero cuando se entiende y se actua, no es mas que una pequeña cicatricéis que nos recuerda que algo hicimos mal, ya hora ya esta sanado. Si ellos lloran tanto es por que les duele y no quieren hacer nada al respecto mas que llorar De tu admirador y homologo en carrera Jessé Méndez ( Diseñador gráfico e ilustrador ) Be Bless
16/5-2008  •  Martha Guzmán Guerra, Mexico
Is unbelievable than a person as Louis dont support this campaign... is more important for Mr. Vouitton the money or thousands of babies, childs and all people in Darfur?... What is more important? The life of a person or earn money with a brand? This kind of situations really mustn be... Shame on those who dont support this kind of campaigns.
16/5-2008  •  Phil Wesel, USA
I believe that both letters were well written. While intellectual property rights are sometimes an impediment to our own goals and desires, I think there was probably room for both parties to collaborate and further to compromise. I very much like the idea of having Louis Vutton perhaps in some way support your campaign to raise awareness in return for a quid pro quo of some sort. Wouldn't it be better to relook at the artistic expressions of both parties and see if there is room for a little more separation? best regards Phil
16/5-2008  •  Carmen, Mexico
Trabajo perfecto! Existe poca gente con tus ganas de defender lo que realmente necesita ser defendido, de atender lo que realmente necesita atención sin importar lo que despues venga...Se necesita mas gente como tu, y por supuesto mas diseñadores con conciencia social.. Gracias por dar el ejemplo... BUU LV!
16/5-2008  •  Kristen, USA
ROCK ON! You already know...you're doing the right thing.
16/5-2008  •  nyce, usa
Wow, intellectualy property rights my ass. What about human rights? LVMH priorities are disgusting
16/5-2008  •  Claudia Miranda, Nuevo Laredo,Tamaulipas,Mexico
PREFIERO COMPRAR UNA PLAYERA PARA APOYAR A UNA NOBLE CAUSA QUE COMPRAR UNA BOLSA SUPER CARA QUE NO DEJA NINGUN BUEN BENEFICIO MAS QUE AUMENTAR EL EGO A OTROS.
16/5-2008  •  Sadao Aréchiga, México
simplemente, tu trabajo ha sido algo exepcional! el diseño es buenísimo!
16/5-2008  •  Daniel D. Rivera, México
Sigue adelante, tus motivos son honestos. Los demás...son basura. Tienen un cacahuate por cerebro.
16/5-2008  •  Saul Escamilla , México
Estoy contigo :) No te dejes vencer por una ideología errónea. Un abrazo desde México.
16/5-2008  •  Jesús Ibarra, México
Keep fighting you are an example to us (graphic designers) it is a way to retrieve some to this crazy world...congratulations!
16/5-2008  •  Abdiel González , MÉxico
You are a superstar!!!! and LV is art's enemy number ONE !! Excelente trabajo, realmente lejos de ser algo negativo para ti, esto se ha vuelto algo totalmente positivo, y a LV el hecho de denunciar tu trabajo esta siendo totalmente contraproducente y el que se ve mucho peor es esa marca por poner un alto a la conciencia social y a tu trabajo, tu subes y te estas volviendo todo un icono y ellos se están viendo muy mal lejos de alimentar la marca la estan empobreciendo, recomendaria a LV que te apoyara para quitar su imagen negativa que se ha formado, felicidades por ti. Muchos o la mayoría de los diseñadores te apoyamos
15/5-2008  •  Art Robles, México
Me gustó mucho tu planteamiento del problema y como lo focalizaste, es una propuesta muy muy de artista plástico . Sin embargo me pregunto ¿que harías tú si uno de tus diseños lo utilizará Paris Hilton y saliera en una portada de revista?. Louis Vuitton, que se dedica a hacer diseño, solo hace lo sabe hacer. Paris Hilton solo hace lo que sabe hacer. Felicidades por atreverte a denunciar estas atrocidades y paradojas de la sociedad contemporánea a través del diseño, sin embargo Louis Vuitton solo defiende (a través de sus medios corporativos) su trabajo, no se cuanto factures tu por tu trabajo al año, pero creo que se están exagerando con la demanda. Conclusión: No hagas cosas buenas que parezcan malas, no uses un diseño de una marca poderosa sin medir las consecuencias que eso te puede traer y sigue defendiendo a la gente de Darfur. Y ve el lado positivo, ya te hiciste superfamosa, tanto como Paris Hilton y Louis Vuitton. Y a los que lean esto, piensenlo dos veces cuando vaya a tomarse un café a un local verde donde los llamen por su nombre o cuando se coman una hamburguesa feliz en un local de colores con un payaso amarillo acompañados por una feliz bebida gaseosa (tambien feliz) y esa lana densela a alguna organización local que apoye causas sociales. Jeje, y si eres diseñador piensa, que quieres lograr con tu trabajo, vender? qué? una idea? un producto? un estilo de vida? una causa? I speak English too, but I live in a global world, so, I prefer write in my lovely spanish.
15/5-2008  •  mariana cruz santiago, méxico
hola! saludos y todo el apoyo desde la ciudad de méxico; este es un ejemplo más de como los temas de conciencia social, aún tienen el poder de mover la conciencia de las sociedades, no sólo para comprar cosas... gracias por hacernos recordar... PD. VAS A GANAR!!!!! ñ_ñ
15/5-2008  •  MARTIN ENRIQUE MARTINEZ, MEXICO
HOLA NADIA QUE BUENO QUE TODAVIA HAY DISEÑADORES CON MUCHA CONCIENCIA SOCIAL, NO DEJES QUE TE AMENACEN SOBRE TODO AQUELLOS QUE SIN PENZAR REALMENTE EN EL BIEN COMUN QUIEREN SEGUI SACANDO DINERO A QUIEN SE DEJE TE APOYO Y BUENA SUERTE
15/5-2008  •  Nohelia, Ecuador
Hello Nadia. I´m a graphic designer as well. I checked carefully your art with the dog and the bag and I didn´t see any reason for anybody to sue you. In that case they would sue you for what the graphics represent!!! So then Paris H. should sue you too!!! In that case what the charges would be? To evidence to the world how stupidity and superficialism get our attention through the media??? Go ahead with your campaign! Most of us should learn from you to use our profession to comply our social responbality with the world.
15/5-2008  •  Martín González, MÉXICO
Wonderful Nadia. You are so brave, smart and a special designer. Congratulations and succesful in your proyects. "Diseñadores del mundo, uníos"
15/5-2008  •  Ana Carranza, México
Awesome design!! Don´t let LV stop your creativity... i´m a designer and this facts afect my career too..... keep goin whit all you´re doing!! Believe me... all the designer world is behind you... and for LV... a little expresion of my country... No la chinguen!! Ponganse a trabajar!! jajaja Bye Bye
15/5-2008  •  Luis, Portugal
There is no bad publicity! Symbologie is a powerfull weapon. Who cares about "If that bag is or is not?" To me and many millions that bag represents the price some people pay to increase the bank accounts of same rich people and to increase the "pobery", misery and expections of the others.
15/5-2008  •  Lauren Eve Pomerantz, USA
Maybe Campbell's soups should sue Andy Warhol's estate next.
15/5-2008  •  John McCallister, UK
Klaus, I am not connected to Louis Vuitton in any form. Actually I don't care for their products. I am just a single person expressing my point of view about Nadia's marketing techniques and how her dramma [which is far better than her design] is making t-shirts sell and giving her a reputation she wouldn't have had if it wasn't for LV.
15/5-2008  •  Klaus, Denmark
It looks like LV found your homepage. Guess there's no moral in the world of LV.
15/5-2008  •  elba jimenez, queretaro mexico
estoy muy impactada con tus ilustraciones y son muy buenas no muestran la otra cara de la moneda hay alguna forma de adquirir tu playera , o existe algun lugar en mexico en donde la pueda adquirir... suerte ... y que sigas heciendo grandes proyectos por medio del diseño .. yo soy diseñadora suerteeeeeee!!!
15/5-2008  •  John McCallister, UK
Pretty one sided argument there Nadia. What if I would like to use the art displayed in your website to associate it with human tragedies? Wouldn't you get a little mad there? And what if I made money out of it while destroying your reputation? And what if your reputation has costed you millions and helps feeding working families too? You could've tried to do good without stepping on somebody else's back. Greetings.
15/5-2008  •  Ignacio Santisbón, México
Nadia, buena estrategia de mercadeo. Te cayó muy bien que LV mordiera el anzuelo para las ventas ¿no? Me mata de risa ver como la gente mira las cosas en blanco y negro cuando de por medio está la ilustración de un niño hambriento. Claro que eso tú ya lo sabías. La ironía es que hubieras vendido prácticamente nada sin el ruido que provocó la acción de los que denuncias.
15/5-2008  •  Juan Carlos Hernandez, Mexico
Warren, she said **artistic** freedom. I really doubt that an expression of art could cause Darfur-type tragedies. By the way, I posted a comment about this in my blog. Hope it helps. It is in Spanish though. http://hcreativos.com/blog/index.php/2008/05/14/lv-vs-darfur/
15/5-2008  •  Alejandro Cabrera Ávila, México
Es obvio que lo único que le interesa a LV es el dinero y no los problemas sociales. Recibe mi apoyo desde México. ¡Gran trabajo, Nadia!
15/5-2008  •  Warren, USA
In reference to your statement "I stand up for my artistic freedom to express my view of the world as I see it without restrictions from anybody." Does that even extend to breaking the law? Or to harming others? "No", I would hope that you would reply. As long as there is rule of law, someone will restrict someone else. When there is no rule of law, but a rule of mre brutal power, then tragedies like Darfur come about.
15/5-2008  •  Eneida Infanzón, México
LV isn't a bag, is an idea. The company have to understand that. I like LV but i'm agree with you too.
15/5-2008  •  Miriam Melendez, VENEZUELA
APOYO TUS DISEÑO!!!! ES LA SIMPLE VERDAD DE LO QUE VIVIMOS TODOS LOS DIAS.
15/5-2008  •  Evelin C. Merlos, México
Louis Vuitton es un "nombre" que se me quedará grabado por sus despreciables intenciones al demandarle....
15/5-2008  •  lili torres, mexico
I´m totally agree with you. I support you. Nobody can stop the real thruth, so you are brave and risky, congratulations!. Since Guanajuato, a place where life is worth nothing. Regards.
15/5-2008  •  , Mexico
Raise awareness! Well done Nadia, strong image, strong campaign. That's what we need: persons like you who create conscience about truly important things. Freedom of expression is not a right, it's an obligation.
15/5-2008  •  Pedro Ramírez, México
Dear Nadia, keep going with your campaign. I´m also a graphic designer that lives in México City and your story shock me because its absurde that nowdays we don´t have the right to express ourselves through graphic design. Also, the bag that carries your kid in your design "it seems to be like a Louis Vuitton bag" but we can´t be sure because the bag itself doesn´t have the brand in your design. Keep going Nadia! Keep going!!
15/5-2008  •  Juan Carlos Hernandez, Mexico
So the child is ok. Not the bag, remove the bag and keep the child. How shallow can Louis Vuitton be and how stupid could their PR and Legal departments be to even try to make a case out of this? To not foresee this this mistake is amateurish. Some companies in the fashion industry should really keep in mind that their contribution to this world, while massive, is not in the primary needs for most of the world population.
14/5-2008  •  Elizabeth Prado, Colombia
Dear Nadia, good luck, keep us informed. LV, the world is changing. I´m very curious to see how are you going to handle this crises. You might win the lawsuit... after loosing much more.
14/5-2008  •  Augusta, Italy
Go on, you have the right to be inspired by whatever you see. They should be ashamed of having tried to stop you
14/5-2008  •  Cynthia Ott, USA
I Love you idea! Can I purchase a tee shirt? I have been living in So CA for 5 years and the women all carry designer bags, as if their live depended on it! I can't take it anymore, so we are moving! Keep it going! Good luck!
14/5-2008  •  muchos, perú
vamos,carajo!toda la mejor suerte.
14/5-2008  •  Grace, USA
You can so get away with paradoy... cause that is what it is. People screaming copyright infringement need to start screaming at political cartoonists who do the same thing everyday. I don't see the big deal. If "LV" wants to shoot themselves in the foot by deterring someone wanting to help others, then let them. They could have really save themselves some trouble by learning to laugh at their own ridiculousness. Stupid commercial corporations. SHAME ON THEM!
14/5-2008  •  jorge, mexico
Estupendo !! Felicidades! Te apoyamos !! greets fron mexico city
13/5-2008  •  ymade , france
i really like what you are doing,just want to know where can i get the tee-shirt,thanks
13/5-2008  •  Missy, USA
Team Nadia!!! You go girl!!!
13/5-2008  •  Ayofemi, USA
Thank you for using your creativity to comment on such an important and powerful aspect of our international society. If your critics could see, the design is not at all about the LV bag or really about Paris Hilton, but rather the state of our priorities where high-end luxury and children made wealthy by birth receive more valuable attention than children in need of our help. I am ashamed that LV would attack you the way they have. It is not that luxury is bad, its just that we need to go through a reprioritization of what we give our much needed attention to. I applaud your efforts and I hope you win your case. Best of luck, Ayofemi Charlotte, NC, USA
13/5-2008  •  Katie, USA
The use of the LV bag is not art! This has NOTHING to do with your cause! You are cashing in on the same thing the gossip magazines are! Louis Vuitton is not trying to stop your cause! I hope LV wins!
13/5-2008  •  Caroline, DK
Hej, Bliv ved med at kæmp for din sag! For ved at kæmpe din sag kæmper du for millioner af mennesker verden over. Først og fremmest fattige og ramte i Dafur! Samtidig kæmper du for alle os der støtter dig. Bliv ved med at klø på! Håber det bedste, det er noget af en sag. Hvis den kunne vindes ville der virkelig blive rørt og pillet ved nogle ting verden over! Held og lykke!
13/5-2008  •  Ger, USA
I happen to own more than 50 pieces of LV products. I have been a fan of their merchandise for the last few years. It saddens me that LV cannot differentiate between humanity and their own ":bottom line". Currently i have a bag on order through my local LV salon, After reading this plight of Ms. Plesner, i will no longer have an interest in buying further product from LV, until this matter is resolved in the favor of Ms, Plesner. So if it turns out that that is not resolved in her favor.LV will have lost a long time customer in me!. Share the wealth LV and then maybe your "bottom line" will not be so self serving!!!!!!!
13/5-2008  •  Susan Stickney, USA
Chihuahuas are not ugly dogs. People are ugly! I'm no longer supporting this cause.
13/5-2008  •  kela, USA
Well done! Please keep going. I love the T-shirt. I understand that the poster has a fake LV, so what is the big deal? There are thousand of fake LV in the street. kids are been used to produce these (Glamour). We have to stop this!!
13/5-2008  •  sie, uk
As an artist myself, I care deeply and have always been very careful with copyright law (afterall, it is there to protect me). I personally don't think LV should do what they are doing. First of all, as stated in the reply, there is no 'LV' brand or logo or anything mentioned. It resembles LV design. YES. But the overall design resembles Paris Hilton too. Why doesn't she come forward too? or sue over the image of 'tinkerbell' there? DO people buy the Shirt because there is a 'replica' of LV there? NO. People buy the shirt because of the deep and awakening irony and idea behind.
13/5-2008  •  Iben, Denmark
Kære Nadia... Jeg håber du klare denne kamp. Den forekommer ikke let. Det ville være sundt, hvis du ka tage LV's anklager, som bevis på, at du har ramt en nerve i verden. En hård og pinefuld nerve, som der meget gerne må rokkes ved... men det er desværre ikke let, at være den der rokker. Jeg håber du har en fornemmelse for hvor mange mennesker der står bag dig. Jeg ønsker dig god vind. Kærlig Hilsen Iben Djuraas
13/5-2008  •  andrea, sweden
you are a hero, keep on doing what you do. it may seem difficult now, but you wont regrett it! I'm inspired!
13/5-2008  •  John, Scotland
Well done for standing up to them. It's incredible a company would sue for something "like" it's products, and especially when it's for such a cause. They have too much concern for money, and not enough for humanity. Well done.
13/5-2008  •  Abdel, France
Continue,ce que tu fais c'est un combat merveilleux!!! Je ferai tout pour avoir ton t-shirt Nadia!!! Go Nadia,You Are The Best!!!!!!!!
12/5-2008  •  Joanna, Sverige
Wow, You've got people from all over the world writing here!! What a great publicity you must have gotten!! :) That's really good considering the t-shirts will spread over the world! :) Congratulations!
12/5-2008  •  Joanna, Sverige
Heja!! Fortsätt kämpa! :)
12/5-2008  •  ilie, USA
I stumbled across your work, which was picked up by a popular social media blog, here http://www.web-strategist.com/blog I absolutely love the shirt, and the rest of your work. It's good to see aware citizens bringing attention to the very-broken media system. Keep up the good fight! - ilie
12/5-2008  •  Anna, Canada
First, congratulations on your effort to raise awareness on the Darfur situation. That said, the painting of the bag is a blatant copy of an LV bag and all you have done is changed the LV to an LS. It is a copyright infringement regardless of the underlying reasons. This is exactly like say you have a painting up on your wall that you did, someone copies it, tweaks it a little bit but still conspicuously a copy of your own work and sells this for profit. I notice that most people on this subject are bashing LV's intentions. If you want to ridicule people's interests and priorities, I would start by mocking the public and not Louis Vuitton. Louis Vuitton exists only because people are stupid enough to spend $1000 on a bag. It is not Louis Vuitton's fault and not their responsiblity to change this. It is their right to protect their trademark and copyrights. By doing this you are saying it is okay to rip off a Harry Potter novel, change the names of the characters Harry to Barry and Dumbledore to Dumbleshore and call it your own work and you convince yourself it is okay because you are doing human good. That is ridiculous!!
12/5-2008  •  Sara Toure, Denmark kbh S
jeg synes det er total godt og jeg synes ikke duh skal stoppe med dit arbejde det er super fedt og jeg synes ikke at duh skal lytte til louis vuitton synes duh skal forsætte for duh gør det få en god sag skyld
12/5-2008  •  Emily, England
Morten. Firstly congratulations for being such an expert on Louis Vuitton. As I'm sure you are aware, the vast majority of society today is proud of you. However, I highly doubt that the artist was attempting to corrupt Louis Vuitton's name; in fact, I think you'll find that this piece of artwork is merely pointing out the state of society today, taking into consideration that this has, in fact, been explained if you would care to look into the case more before not coming to your own opinion, but sharing it in such a blunt manner. And even if it hadn't have been explained, art is about the viewer's interperetation of it, and having the intelligence to read in between the lines. However, I will not presume that you are incapable of doing so; purely that you lacked forethought before you posted your comment. Regards, Faith.
12/5-2008  •  ,
I saw your website and I fully support giving aide to the people in Darfur. I admire your strength and urge you to continue. I don't have a lot of money so I won't be able to help with your lawsuit but I will be sending money to Darfur through other channels. I know you understand.
11/5-2008  •  Morten, Denmark
I simply find it non-acceptable to use Louis Vuitton in such a campaign. For those of you who know about the designs of Louis Vuitton, you will notice the obvoius, little details which the "art-piece" and a real bag, has in commen. For those of you who do not know the design of Louis Vuitton bags, let me tell that the Multicolor Canvas, which the "art-piece" refers to, isn't produced in a lot of different design. Yet somehow, this "art-piece" is a picture of a bag, which has the excact same design/shape as one Louis Vuitton's and in the same color. Of couse it isn't acceptable for the designer to make such a obvoius copy of the bag, since it's pictured as Louis Vuitton does not care, even though Louis Vuitton is a head-sponsor for a more green enveriment. If Louis Vuitton had any intentions of being a public sponsor in the very case, I'm sure they would had made that clear themselves. I believe that the designer of the very t-shirt has caused her own problems since she denied to remove the "art-piece", and there should be no doubt that she would have to pay the bills
11/5-2008  •  Brenda , USA
And one more thing. Louis Vuitton knows how to make money off of controversy. When a famous actress was caught stealing Marc Jacobs merchandise from a famous department store in the U.S. they turned around and used her as a model in their advertising campaign to sell their clothes. Controversy sells and this may sell more Louis Vuitton Bags in the near future.
11/5-2008  •  Brenda, USA
This is art and right or wrong it shouldn't be probhibited. Marc Jacobs is an amazing artist and I would bet all that he supports freedom of expression in art. Unfortunately, he works for Louis Vuitton so he really hasn't a choice in this matter. So there's that. Fashion is fashion you know?-it's over the top and often shallow but it's first and foremost art - just like a painting or a commentary illustration. A creation of a Marc Jacobs bag undoubtedly starts with a drawing or sketch and that is art too. Many of us spend money in crazy ways sometimes when we know others have nothing but it is a person's freedom to do so. People seem to get so absorbed in the pop-culture of celebrity because it's so weird and often surreal and kind of a way to escape from an ordinary day. Yes it's a sure waste of brain cells and productivity but it's pop culture and pop culture makes pop art. They kind of need each other. It's up to all of us to make a change. Not just Louis Vuitton. It's way bigger than that.
10/5-2008  •  Dorthe, Denmark
Respekt!
10/5-2008  •  Kira, USA
I believe that anyone whom opposes your cause lacks a clear mind and has no common sense what-so-ever. They do not understand what your art is about, the intent behind using the LV bag as a symbol, and they do not understand art in general. Andy Warhol should have been arrested for using the Campbell's Soup Cans for his artwork, according to their deranged logic system. Art is art. Activism is activism. LV, as a company, should agree with your cause and try and support it. It would be noble of them to donate some sort of amount of money to the Darfur cause each time that specific bag is purchased. They have the obligation as a multi million dollar company to be accountable for their actions. A simple bag sells for more than I pay for rent. How sad, and pathetic.
10/5-2008  •  Marcela Orraca, Mexico
The design of the bag is clearly appealing to the image of LV's bags. But two things are worth noticing. On one hand, it is not an exact copy, therefore I do not think they have real grounds for pursuing the legal accusation. On the other hand, I think that the point of the poster is not Louis Vuitton himself, or this particular design, but rather what it represents. You are not making a point specifically about this bag, but a more general claim about a culture of consumism and about how easy it is that we all forget what really matters in the world. Thus, the similar (but not identical) design is being used as a symbol to represent something else. In this sense, I believe it is an artist's right to use symbols to create art, just like Warhole used Campbell's soups as symbol for something else when creating his pieces.
10/5-2008  •  Sara, Canada
While I applaud your efforts for the cause, I find your claim that Louis Vuitton is trying to stop your campaign ridiculous. In fact, in their first letter to you, they applauded your efforts for Darfur and stated that it was a worthy cause. You claim that you are standng up for your artistic freedom - what they are requesting of you is to respect their artistic freedom. You have copied their design on your pieces, which you are actually selling. The way that you have depicted their bags in your designs clearly has the potential of leading people to assume that you are saying that LV is associated with the problems in Darfur. As an artist, I would expect that you would understand how it can be upsetting to have a design that you put so much time & energy into depicted so negatively. The designer has the right to decide how and in what context they want their designs to be presented. I do not think that LV was wrong in this case, specifically since they initially approached you to settle this amicably.
9/5-2008  •  Anon84, UK
Although its disputed whether you ripped off the LV print in your design, its evident that you are now using their name to attract further attention to your site by publicising "LOUIS VUITTON WANTS ME TO STOP MY DARFUR CAMPAIGN" on your pages. LV are not trying to stop your campaign, they are trying to stop you using their designs as part of your campaign. Its nothing to do with LV's support or not for Darfur, but they created the design and its their right to control where and how its used. Maybe they want to do a Switzerland and sit out of the controversy or at least keep their opinions private, doesn't mean they are for/against it. Thats their right and you are slandering their name by accusing them of being against the Darfur cause.
9/5-2008  •  Ruqqayat Mohammed, United States
I fully support you and everything that you are for and against. Please don't let this lawsuit stop you nor dim your light. You are amazing and you have more supporters than you realize
9/5-2008  •  Javi Bijoux, USA
Hi Nadia, I absolutely love your design and fully support your campaign. I posted a link to your website on my blog and encouraged my readers to support your campaign as well. Love it!!!!
9/5-2008  •  `Riani Jonck (rianijonck@yahoo.com), Zambia, Africa
I'm a barrister with a masters in Chilren Law living in Zambia.I have just ordered your t-shirt and I think it is a brilliant idea to raise awareness, not only in Darfur, but in the whole of Africa where circumstances are below poor.I experiece it on a daily basis, some day it bring tears to my eyes.Unfortunately there is a lot of corruption in Africa and funds don't always reach the peolpe it was meant for-ironically the people in charge are the first to get a designers bag on their several trips abroad.
9/5-2008  •  Sascha, South Africa
Hey - Fully behind you (http://www.signatureillustration.org/illustration-blog/2008/05/louis-vuitton-nadia-plesner-lawsuit). Hope you get the better of them.
9/5-2008  •  Yossi L, Australia/Israel
Full support for your effort and I love your idea. I'd also truly love to purchase the shirt, but unfortunately $53 is not within my simple-living-standards... :-)
9/5-2008  •  Max, Mexico
WE SUPPORT YOU NADIA!
9/5-2008  •  Eduardo Leal, Caracas, Venezuela
Stand strong Nadia!!! people like you are needed all over the world to fight against stupidity.
8/5-2008  •  Vale, Italy
FUCK VUITTON! GRANDE NADIA!!!
8/5-2008  •  Mayumi.M, Japan
I think that Louis Vuitton did too much overreaction. Please do not back down.
8/5-2008  •  ILIANA, méxico
Sigue adelante con tu campaña, es una situación muy triste pero es real. Niños mueren de hambre mientras otros afortunados millonarios que podrían ser caritativos con esas personas carecen de compasión. Mi apoyo para ti.
8/5-2008  •  Sara, Venezuela
All the support for you!
8/5-2008  •  Miguel, Spain
Please, continue.
8/5-2008  •  Ceren Dav., Turkiye
You are a real "human". Congratulations. Please, do not back down.
8/5-2008  •  Jesús Colmenares., Venezuela
Amazing...
8/5-2008  •  Jeff McNeill, USA
Louis Vuitton should be ashamed. They know better because this is protected speech. What this reveals is the identification of LV with starving children. That means they believe they represent the wealthy against the poor. Boycott, baby!
8/5-2008  •  Marco, Brazil
Nadia, it is absolutely visible the relation between the bag and the LV trademark. I think that such a fair campaign should n´t be promoted with an unfair use of LV trademark. The simple inappropriate usage of their image entails the duty of reparation for moral damage, as you connect their image to such a horrible human and socio-political condition. I´m convinced this is not the appropriate way to conduct your campaign. I hope that the people realize about this issue and don´t try to solve a problem with a mistake.
8/5-2008  •  Eva Guillén, www.anarchyofsweden.com
Why would you even pay something to Louis Vuitton? They are not worth a penny!
8/5-2008  •  Kirk, USA
Nadia, you are naive to think you can use their bag like this. If LV lets you do this, then next time someone wants to really infringe on their TM, they can show precedence with your case. I can see if LV was contributing to the atrocities in Darfur. Are they? You don't seem to make that claim. You only claim that celebrities get more attention, and they happen to carry LV bags. That's not LV's fault. So why not go after the media instead of LV. I notice you have all the major credit cards above your website, I sure hope you're not getting rich off of all this attention...!
8/5-2008  •  Manuel O, Mexico
What a bunch of Idiots those Who think that using a banal object could make you VIP, And What a Idiots those Who believe it. Your cause has a meaning and I encourage you to keep doing it. This firm (LV) has the opportunity to support you in this noble cause and some Brand New Brain tought better use you as publicity. Kick their ass. Make them to donate every penny that you spend in this lawsuit for Daffur campaign, better yet, let them now that people from other no wealthy countries has better common sense and are willing to care by real people with real brain. You Rock Girl. Keep Going. Don't Give Up. You can change this world. And We're behind of you.
8/5-2008  •  Eva Guillén, Sweden
Claudia: Would you like a bag saying: "I'm not a Louis Vuitton bag" ? I can send it to you for free next month! Contact me here: anarchyofsweden@gmail.com Todo bien en mi MEXICO? :D Hope youre feeling fine! El Pueblo contra el Imperialismo Kultural!
8/5-2008  •  Victor, Mexico
I'm happy to know that those kids are not alone, people like you make big changes, continue we'll support, Guadalajara is with you !!!!!
7/5-2008  •  perro chihuahua, mexico
Im very proud to see my figure in your art, thank you!!!, i hope many people buy your shirts, and i prefer see my body in the arms of the boy than the arms of paris, (she smells very discoustin!!!), the best wishes from chihuahua!!! guau!!! VIVA MEXICO CABRONES!!!
7/5-2008  •  GIGIO, MEXICO
HI! NADIA, THE WORLD NEEDS MORE WOMEN LIKE YOU, MEXICO LOVES YOU
7/5-2008  •  pajaro patinador, mexico
Thanks for another day in paradise!!!, the reason, the love, bring us a new world, thanks for your vision, hand to hand, mouse to mouse, the world is one, we are the humankind, WE ARE NADIA!!!. POWER TO THE PEOPLE, POWER TO THE PEOPLE....
7/5-2008  •  Oscar, Colombia
Go!
7/5-2008  •  Doneen, USA
Good for you! I wish celebrities would start wearing your shirts instead. Some things are worth fighting for... artistic freedom and the innocent in Darfur being two great reasons to tell LV to piss off!
7/5-2008  •  eris, france
wait, i take it back, $53 for that shirt? yikes
7/5-2008  •  eris, france
do it baby. fuck louis right in his facist mouth.
7/5-2008  •  Yoko, Mexico
Keep going!!!
7/5-2008  •  Miguel, Mexico
This guys, they thik the world spins around, his luxury.... did they realize how many food will bought one of these bags, hope they write one of thes letters to Tepito in mexico when our artist made exact replicas of their bags jajaja
7/5-2008  •  Claudia, Mexico
Yes, goooo, from Mexico I send you all my support and good luck against Louis Vuitton.
7/5-2008  •  Eva Guillén, Sweden
Hi. My name is Eva Guillén. I live in Sweden and came as a refugee from El Salvador in 1978. I've started a new design-campain against Louis Vuitton and Paris Hilton Kultural Imperialism. Imperialists and fascists like Louis Vuitton and especially people that buy their bags, makes me feel really ill and sick. Kapitalists from the U.S.A. have done killings and my cousins have disapeared in Latinamerica, everybody knows the history of Chile and Allende, the story of Nicaragua and the bombings, the story of of Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela and a lots of other countries that have been violated by Kapitalits. Now the only way to stop me is to kill me. They've done that before. I have nothing but my life, family and boyfriend to loose. I see you have a lots of people writing to you from MEXICO. I send my warmest greetings to you and my people from MEXICO! Te mando saludos desde Suecia mi mejor amigo Latinoamericano! Please give me support! http://www.anarchyofsweden.com/ Tillsammans vi skall segra! Låt inte Louis Vuitton kränka dina rättigheter! Bliv ved att knudse Louis Vuitton! We support you!
7/5-2008  •  Käti Lundin, Sweden
Fantastiskt!! Mycke bra tröja! Jag sprider detta vidare. Go on!
7/5-2008  •  ines, mexico
You´re a good and very creative woman. Always´ll exist this kind of women, but always´ll exist companies that want only win money. They don´t work back the desks. They only receive the money. I hope you win this. Good luck¡¡¡¡¡¡☻☻☻☻
7/5-2008  •  Cesar, MEXICO
Only together will we be strong!!!!!! Mexico supports you.
7/5-2008  •  Manuela Olivares Vázquez, México
The World needs more woman as you, with courage and love for the people. Ojalá y la gente rica tuviera compasión por sus semejantes y en lugar de gastar en cosas vanales ayudarán a los seres que más lo necesitan. Gracias por no desfallecer.
7/5-2008  •  Gabriel, Mexico!
God bless you! I dont believe that they are demanding $20,000 dlls daily, how many children could be feed? with that money, ough! what a shame! If they think that if you put LV's design bag in that shirt could damage they trademark image, i think this demand will damage more in a close future...
7/5-2008  •  Victor H, Mexico
hell yeah !!! you can do it Nadia....fucking corporatives!!!!! i hope you ll ok ...kisses
7/5-2008  •  Teresa, Mexico
Don't give up they must help you, not stop you
7/5-2008  •  Tatiane, Brazil
Wonderful!!! Don't give up!
7/5-2008  •  BELEN, MEXICO
Go Nadia!!!
7/5-2008  •  Katrine, Denmark
Keep going!
7/5-2008  •  Robin, Spain
Keep up the good work!!
7/5-2008  •  Jaime Macedo, Mexico
Do not give up Nadia! God is with you!
7/5-2008  •  Luis, México
Support from Mexico City.
7/5-2008  •  Lorena, Mexico
Go Nadia!!! The world supports your cause :)!!!
7/5-2008  •  Maj-Britt , Denmark
You make me very proud being a dane - I wish you absolut the best in this matter against LV, they should support you instead of fighting against you. It very embarrasing that a company that rich don't do anything good in this world. You should be on their payrole. Best of luck
7/5-2008  •  Rémi Sarcard, France
Hello, I am French, and I want to tell you to continue your great work and do not stop anything only because this stupid company that is Louis Vuitton want to stop you. I will write on every forum about this. Keep up the fabulous work. Rémi, France.
7/5-2008  •  michelle c, united states
Your artwork is an important statement of society today. I think your artwork is thought provoking as all great art should be. Just like all the tabloid nonsense we read in so called newspapers, controversy is a good way to get info out to the public and this may be a great way to get attention for a wonderful cause.
7/5-2008  •  anna, israel
u do a great work!
7/5-2008  •  c. franz, USA
First and foremost I applaud your commitment and statement (how true it is!!!) I also agree with you that "sometimes recognizable objects are needed to express deeper meanings." However, maybe you could change the bag pattern a little more and other [changed] ludacriously expensive designer handbags - such as marc jacobs? While Gillie from Canada brings up a valid concern (all children should be clothed), I believe he is just as guilty as LV for perpetuating ignorance. Final point, we are one world and until people start acting as one, we need people to make statements such as yours to grab our attention.
7/5-2008  •  mauro, chile
don't give up! everybody needs to open the eyes and you are doing it.
7/5-2008  •  gillie, canada
while i think meant well, your trademark of a little naked Darfur child is offensive, to say the least. Your message is quite clear (and unoriginal), but as an African, I'm tired of dealing with your kind--typical White person who means to do well, but hasn't a clue. Please stop with the commodification of African bodies. Don't get my message? Perhaps I'll make up t-shirts with naked little white kids with history books in their arms, since the level of ignorance among Whites is astounding. "please educated these little white children." Glad to see "Africa" is popular again. Cripes. Let's see how long it lasts.
6/5-2008  •  Marc van der Aart, The Netherlands
We'll support you in Haarlem!
6/5-2008  •  Naomi, USA
I think what your doing is wonderful, shame on LV.
6/5-2008  •  Robbyn, usa
If Louis Vuitton and the gang is so concerned about that picture.. why not do a deal with Nadia... Like donate 1.000.000 dollar or euro to the children in Darfur. and when they have done that, Nadia can pull back the T-shirt sell... Every body would be happy.. the Children i Darfur, Louis Vuitton, and Nadia then had reach their goals... and Louis Vuitton would at the same time save their face against the rest of the world...
6/5-2008  •  Stef, USA
I hope that whole the world wake up and stop buying products from the lawsuit happy company Louis Vuitton who are so lack of hearth for starving children.
6/5-2008  •  mcas, USA
What country did LV file the lawsuit? If it's the US (the majority of Copyright lawsuits take place here since it is the most corporate-friendly state)... you've got a pretty easy case. Parody, from Sec. 107 of Copyright Act, and Supreme Court's decision in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. (1994)
6/5-2008  •  Martin, Germany
@Namdnal Filing a lawsuit to settle a conflict might have been the original idea of a lawsuit. Nowadays it is used as a means to make individuals back down. It costs money, time and nerves. Even if you win.
6/5-2008  •  Namdnal Siroj, Netherlands
Filing a law suit means that you want a disagreement looked at by a judge, because you can't come to an agreement without intervention. How does filing a law suit make LV anti-good causes again? A lot of people that are throwing the first rock at LV in their comments, just seem to want to censor LV based on an impulsive and suggestive interpretation of LV's actions. @Nikki McMahon Andy Warhol wasn't sued for his Campbell soup, but he was for his flower paintings. He settled. There are many differences between AW and this T-Shirt -> the times, the goals, the methods, the podium, etcetera.
6/5-2008  •  Veronica Åberg, Sweden
Nadia, you go girl! Where can I buy your t-shirt??
6/5-2008  •  Erik, Sweden
You go girl!:D Good Luck with all this.
6/5-2008  •  Patrik Nilsson, Sweden
Keep it up and don't let Louis Vuitton stop you. Whats next?. the color of the bag is too close? You are selling t-shirts and they sell bags, its not a violation of there design. So sue them for extortion!!
6/5-2008  •  Tony, Sweden
Keep it up, Nadia! You set a good example for all of us :) Unlike LV... their moronic attitude is a good reason not to by a single one of their products.
6/5-2008  •  Cecilia, Sverige
Stå på dig! Äntligen nån som gör nåt!
6/5-2008  •  Erika Pehrsson, Sweden
Don´t ever give up! What you´re doing is really good!! Erika
6/5-2008  •  Sven, Sweden
I love ur campaign.... but i am a big man and want 2 buy ur t-shirt so more bigger sizes...
6/5-2008  •  erik, sweden
go nadia!
6/5-2008  •  sandra, Sweden
jag håller tummarna för dig.och stå på dej=)
6/5-2008  •  Lena, Denmark
Everyone....write an email to LV stating your views on this matter. I'm not sure if they read comments on this site - although they might - but I'm sure they notice if they get thousands of email....
6/5-2008  •  Camilla, Sverige
Stå på dej & låt dom inte vinna över dej! Lycka till :-)
6/5-2008  •  Carolina, Sweden/Ireland
You certainly have my support
6/5-2008  •  Caroline, Sweden
Absolutley perfect, this campaign! If I were LV, I would be honored to be refered to helping up the situation in Dafur!
6/5-2008  •  Lee, USA
I wish you the best of luck in your fight against LV. It is time we recognize our consumption and how it doesn't help anyone but ourselves! So keep up the great work!!!
6/5-2008  •  Camilla, Finland
Härligt jobb du gör! Fick mig att le att läsa om dig bland alla andra tråkiga nyheter!
6/5-2008  •  Elizabeth, Hungary
To Ann (USA) and Cam (New Zealand), I really appreciate your opinion, but you have to understand that the whole thing is so much beyond the artistic ego and rights of only one person or a company. It's about the death of 400.000 people and the life of the rest!!! I can not even think about buying a LV bag non of my friends do but as an interesting, eye opening story I defenetly will send it around. So from my side it is not about losing any loss for Mr. Vuitton or for his co. Think about Michellangelo, Leonardo or many more giants of art who have their masterpieces on cards and mugs nowadays. After all it doesn't really matter.The real artistic value can not be questioned by the place of it's appearance. In my opinion...
6/5-2008  •  Sanna, Sweden
Heja Nadia! Det behövs fler som du!!! Ett bevis på att en "liten" människa är kapabel att göra STOR skillnad. :)
6/5-2008  •  Stefan , Sweden
Jag vart så glad av läsa om det du gör och ditt brev som du skrev till LV. Så grym idé,undebart jobb du gör. jag håller med dig dom där små hundarna e så fula. ha det bäst nadia heja!
6/5-2008  •  LeoB, Sweden
Thanks Nadia! And thanks Louis Vuitton. If you had not tried to stop Nadia's Darfur Campaign we would not have known how important it is. Now it is easy to see what is behind your luxory. Do I have to say that I want the children in Darfur to survive and Louis Vuitton to disappear?
5/5-2008  •  , Sweden
We definetly need more of your kind.
5/5-2008  •  Filip Lindwall, Sweden
I'm 100% behind U! The stuff U do is amazing and I love u for it. I will buy a T-shirt from u! Looking forward to more designs with other famous brands in ;) There are heaps of greedy fashionhouses that need some bad publicity. Or isn't any publicity good? Take care! Filip
5/5-2008  •  Macbrush, Hong Kong
Now I have a reason to stop my gf getting any LV products in future. I refuse to spend any money on such greedy and non-sense company. Do they actually understand what intellectual laws protect against? Do they have any moral responsibility is totally beyond me.
5/5-2008  •  Mira, Sweden
det du gör är fantastiskt! all publicitet är bra, att de gör en stor sak av det får ju bara försäljningen och stödet att skjuta i höjden! och kom ihåg att: I alla sagor vinner de små mot de stora och de fattiga mot de rika...
5/5-2008  •  C#, Sweden
Du rockar. Hoppas det gick bra i Paris förra veckan.
5/5-2008  •  M, Sweden
Heja Nadia vi stödjer dig till 100%....
5/5-2008  •  Nieves, Chile
Me gusta lo que haces!!! Que sigues en este trabajo genial!! you go girl!
5/5-2008  •  Peter frank, Sweden
If they get to you against all odds (can't actually see they will succeed) then we're having another proof of how much the world sux of greedy ppl and companies. Either way, we're interested to take your idea and run it from Kenya as they doesn't have same regulations there. :) Sincerely, Peter Frank www.franklyOnline.se www,MombasaNow.com www.MoreAfrica.se
5/5-2008  •  Kureborn, Sätrabrunn Sverige
Skitbra grej du gör. Vill gratulera till framgången. Stå på dig. Kramizar
5/5-2008  •  Niclas, Sweden
Just lovely!
5/5-2008  •  Per, Sweden
I will let the word go and get 5 of my friends to send the message to 5 more.
5/5-2008  •  Christoffer, Sweden
What you should do now is a press release or debate article of some kind, stating: "Louis Vuitton tries to steal money from the children in Darfur." Or something like that.
5/5-2008  •  Tom, Sweden
More people like you and the world would be so much better. Thank you for the pounding heartbeats in my chest. Go, raise the awareness.
5/5-2008  •  Anders, Sweden
Think of it this way; we should all thank LV for their stupid commitment to sue... If it was not for LV and their idiot mission, you Nadia would never get the same attention either. So Go Go Go Nadia! Your idea is absolutely brilliant, and I hope more people will follow!
5/5-2008  •  Ed, Sweden
I like your Darfur Campaign very much its "klockren!!" like you say in Swedish. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK F*CK LV!!
5/5-2008  •  Karolina Norman, Sweden
You are a Hero! Thank you sister. /Love, Karolina
5/5-2008  •  Vitor, Brasil
Translate, pelase, my friends: " Acredito que este império logo virá acreditar que arte não é luxo e liberdade de expressão vai além de ostentação.Vidas estão sendo limitadas todo instante e eles não ajudam em nada, pelo contrário: até copiam as Melissas Brasileiras de Alexandre(...que pobres....!). Onde está Louis Vuitton enquanto milhares morrem de fome? Com certeza vai encontrá-lo nos grandes shoppings e caríssimos restaurantes pendurados nos braços das madames ....ou melhor:bonequinhas de luxo...que nunca saberão o que é fome! Merecem o desprezo geral.
5/5-2008  •  Johan, UK
I love your work! Keep your grounds!!!
5/5-2008  •  Frida Strandberg, Sweden
Det du gör är helt rätt! Fortsätt i den takten! Good work! :D
5/5-2008  •  Jennie, Sweden
Go, girl.
5/5-2008  •  Pauline, Sweden
I truly support what you are doing here! I admire you for standing up for what you believe in and for your courage. Good Luck! Lots of loooove P
5/5-2008  •  Luca Paolo, Italy
I support your idea!!!
5/5-2008  •  Anders Hald, Denmark
Dear Nadia. I just read that you are changing the bag design on your t-shirt as per advice from your lawyers. I think you have made a brave and sensible decision as you will now be able to continue supporting Darfur through your work. I also read that you are meeting with LV, hopefully you can squeeze a sizable contribution from them, they should be prepared to cough up, in order to repair some of the damage to their reputation. Good luck...can't wait to read what happens next. Best regards, Anders
5/5-2008  •  Anders Hald, Denmark
Dear Nadia. I just read that you are changing the bag design on your t-shirt as per advice from your lawyers. I think you have made a brave and sensible decision as you will now be able to continue supporting Darfur through your work. I also read that you are meeting with LV, hopefully you can squeeze a sizable contribution from them, they should be prepared to cough up, in order to repair some of the damage to their reputation. Good luck...can't wait to read what happens next. Best regards, Anders
5/5-2008  •  Max, Denmark
Why wear a Vuitton bag when Vuitton bags the weary. Keep up the good work !!
5/5-2008  •  wicky, Canada
Go ahead Nadia and keep up the good work and lots of luck.
5/5-2008  •  Philipp, Germany
Good work! Shame on LV for their reaction.
5/5-2008  •  Julie, Denmark
Even though I understand the concerns as raised by LV, I do believe in this case that the cause is more important than any legal concerns, and therefor wish you the best of luck in the fight ahead! At the same time I wish to thank you for your efforts and courage. Will keep my fingers crossed for you
5/5-2008  •  Revital V., ISRAEL
Go ahead Nadia!
5/5-2008  •  Peter, Denmark
Shame on you LV. I am not even going to buy a keyring from LV after this!
5/5-2008  •  Alexey Orlov, Russia
Best of luck! I believe LV would reconsider their actions.
5/5-2008  •  Ann, USA
No one can fault you on your efforts to bring attention to Darfur, which we should all know about. LV doesn't want you to stop your Darfur campaign. That's sort of sensationalist, don't you think? They want you to stop using and selling the almost exact replica of their branded design. I can't blame LV for not wanting their brand associated like this. I agree with them that you're using an image that says "LV", not "luxury brand". You did obviously and intentionally rip off the design. You didn't even really change it. That is called that inspiration? If you were writing, that would be very thinly veiled plagiarism. You'd be failed for it at school and outside of that, be held accountable for it legally. Also, you are not Andy Wahol, and your design is not art. Sorry, maybe it is in the loosest possible definition, but your art should be more subtle and your commentary should be more explicit. I congratulate you on the campaign. I also congratulate you on getting the LV people to help bring attention to your bringing attention to Darfur. They should have known better, though I feel sort of bad for them. Their only choice is to suck it up (and hope it dies down) or fuel the fire (for awhile till they realize there's nothing they can do, then hope it dies down). I think that's an annoying form of brand hijacking, but I have learned that all's fair in activism. Nobody can fault your humanitarian efforts (you're just raising awareness)...
5/5-2008  •  blind, usa
and dont forget to sue LV for everything they have take to supreme court violating your freedom plzzzzzzzzzzz <3 personal dammages all the way!!!protest
5/5-2008  •  blind, USA
F them BITC*ES UP lul
5/5-2008  •  Cassie Allen, Australia
I think your tshirt and the issues it represents are fantastiic, I myself do like LV products but would rather buy a fake over a real one anyday and spend the rest of my money on helping people around the world who really need it. I'm disappointed LV would sink so low and not take the time to appreciate your artwork. If anything they should probably reconsider their actions and get behind your campaign, which would in turn probably benefit them and you by showing good corporate social responsibility and give them some positive press whilst also communicating and highlighting your campaign to a wider public. I'll definitly buy your tshirt and where it proud!!!
5/5-2008  •  nick mun, Malaysia
Nadia, You did nothing wrong. A big company like LV should be able to see beyond the narrow concerns of their bottom line. In fact the smart thing to do is to work with you. Instead they choose to sue you, which is pretty dumb. Since it's going to generate all sorts of bad publicity against them. Well, the decision was theirs. Fight till the end, I say. All the best!
5/5-2008  •  Cam, New Zealand
It's funny how most of the comments are in the support of you. As an artist, i believe it's paramount for you to establish property right of your art piece too. If i have taken your photo or illustration, and use them without your permission - while that may stroke your ego - it may also upset you, sinceyou re losing out on the potential profits and publicitiy. anyway, i think you could have used something else than a LV bag anyway. no to boycott - ps i can't afford one anyway.
5/5-2008  •  Dani, US
GOOD FOR YOU! Stand up for yourself! LV sucks, and they're going to lose a lot of customers because of this. Keep your ground and don't give up!
4/5-2008  •  Elizabeth, Hungary
After all...!!! Somebody does the right thing no matter if it makes the people think about it so differently! Who cares if they're talking about you...(even if it's only because you're caring an uncredibly expensive designer bag and a discusting little dog) what's really refreshing the whole circus is happening around the right thing finally! Congratulation, you're a genius! Isn't it painful, Mr. Vuitton?
4/5-2008  •  Ana Laura, Argentina
the art is an expression the freedom of your thinks and emotions they cant demmand you for expressing yourself! enough of censorship and oppression. we want freedom without conditions Good luck! And dont give Up !!!!
4/5-2008  •  Hannes, Germany
How about selling the t-shirts for a couple of hundred bucks each? That made them pretty exclusive and only a few could afford them. Would that be okay with Vuitton? Probably. It allowed to fence off a corner of the common pasture and manage it privately. One could raise something that only a few can pay for. They would be interested in keeping it that way. And they are willing to spend the extra bucks to reinforce the fence and fight off the plebs. That's what exclusivity is all about. To exclude the public.
4/5-2008  •  jeff kuan, singapore
shame on u LV...
4/5-2008  •  Rainne, USA
Good for you, Ms Plesner! I support you and your campaign 100% Shame on Louis Vuitton!
4/5-2008  •  Toni, Denmark
Good for you! You´re doing a great job!! Hope you win & make a huge difference both with Darfur & this whole ridiculous case!! Kør med klatten! :)
4/5-2008  •  Regina, Singapore
I love the shirt design,ignore this ugly part of the society. They know nothing about the world except themselves.... I will never buy LV bag for sure now. I never like their design in the first place. All the best to the fund raising!
4/5-2008  •  Janez Jahelcek, Slovenia
I wanted to buy a LV bag for my wife... I searched and I saw this story...I am not going to buy a LV bag or anything else by these people! ...and I am going to make a lot of bad publicity to them...what kind of "people" are those?
4/5-2008  •  Kenneth, Malaysia
Good job, Nadia! I admire your courages, and determinations to help the world. Those corporation are just making money from the us, but refused to give back to the community. Instead, they try to stop those who are willing to help. Good Bless you LV, There are so much pattern infringement cases you can choose from to sue in China. But, for god sakes, why do you want to sue a holy causes like this? LV, I suggest you stop this, because it is doing a lousy job in your publicity.
3/5-2008  •  Toumoche, France
Courage, l'art n'a pas de frontière, ni de limite. Cette marque élitiste ne connaît pas grand chose à la solidarité, ce n'est ni son but, ni son objet. Alors je t'encourage à poursuivre tes efforts et à vaincre l'adversité. L'art est universel et non réservé à une marque. Chacun est libre de se l'approprié et de le restituer selon sa sensibilité. C'est don de soi vers les autres. Continue ton action !!!
3/5-2008  •  E Lenc, New York, US
Dear Nadia, Show the French what the Danish are made of! and tell the lawyers that 99% of them generate negative reputation to the rest. You're the woman! Louis Vuitton can spend more time and money on lawyers, or just contribute them to the refugees...
3/5-2008  •  Naama, Israel
I admire your courage. lot of people would give up and stop the campaign, but you don't, and I hope everything will be fine.
3/5-2008  •  Lorraine, Hong Kong, China
And - I think putting that recognizable LV in the T-shirt is cos the LV handbag has become a sort of fashion icon, icon of contemporary culture, icon of modern living... (Lamentable though this is.) Does that infringe on property rights? What if it's a red can of Coke instead, or Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe, or what? PLUS, it's not as if the T-shirt is cashing on that little bit of LV design on it, the focus is the Sudanese child. Good luck. 'Kurre' below is right -- LV shouldn't be spending all this money on its legal cases when it could be put to much better uses.
3/5-2008  •  Lorraine, Hong Kong, China
Louis Vuitton would come to regret it, this would do more harm than good to its public image -- at least to me. That is, if this case is publicised enough. Maybe you could garner support from the media or something. Suing a young artist working for a humanitarian cause won't be good to LV's image -- esp when there are so many LV commercials these days claiming how it supports this and that project. Anyway, good luck!!
3/5-2008  •  Ezra, Israel
There are thusands of designs with bags like this one. They can't claim that this bag is exclusivly belongs to them. Good Luck.
3/5-2008  •  Kurre, Sweden
LV should donate the costs they spend on ridiculous legal cases like this to the Darfur cause.
3/5-2008  •  hodaya, Israel
You doing a wonderful thing and i support and agree with you. keep doing only what you think is right and don't let the negative people stop you. Yom Tove. (=The meaning is Good Day in hebrew)
3/5-2008  •  RYK, france
Bravo mademoiselle, D'un coté, Mr Arnault veut créer une " fondation pour la création " a Paris, et de l'autre il attaque une artiste !!! Bravo Mr Arnault votre conscience et celles de vos baveux peuvent continuer a dormir tranquille...
3/5-2008  •  Khawla, UAE
You are doing a nice job. But, I believe you should have asked the copyright holder to use their product in your campaign. But, I wonder if any individual has donated for the campaigns all over the world? Not only companies should be donating, but also every individual in this world must help the poor.
3/5-2008  •  elsebeth reventlow, Denmark
We all have many responsabilities (social, financial, moral, ethical, etc.) Very large companies have large financial responsability towards others - because mostly their brand is so popular among us snobbbbbbs that the price of their products exceed the production value a thousand times. some of our too much paid money should go to the poor and needy - no matter where they live!!! We also have to think twice before buying LV products or any other products - we have a responsability too - towards others and ourselves - can we live with the fact that we spend money on GA-jeans and forget people in need (small scale thinking!!!)
3/5-2008  •  Shirley, Canada
This is ridiculous! u r an artist...and artists should have rights to paint/design whatever they want... however,Louis Vuitton also should have the right to protect their image and that of their consumers and clients. Anyhow, all the best to you Nadia!
3/5-2008  •  Alexandra Wagner, United States
Whatever happened to conscience, love, empathy? I can't believe LV would do this! At least we can pray that this entire catastrophe will bring them bad press and abysmal sales.
3/5-2008  •  Sam, England
You're doing an amazing job. Best of luck. LV have clearly made themselves look completely arrogant and superficial (which is precisely what they are). I'll definitely be buying a t-shirt now.
3/5-2008  •  Nikki McMahon, Australia
Although I was initially shocked by the images which flashed up on www.thefashionspot.com before my eyes, I was intrigued at the story and followed the link through to your website. I understand the Louis Vuitton's point, being that it is the IP of Takeshi Murakami and Marc Jacobs who are also designers and that your design is quite a close design, but was Andy Warhol sued for his portrayal of the Campbell's soup cans which are now but of Art history? No. What about all those LV fakes on the market- EVERYWHERE? Surely they are doing so much more damage and they should be focusing on that more. Whilst I know this won't help you too much, it is rather annoying from my point of view. I buy LV bags, they are as their IP director points out- of impeccible quality however your art would not turn me off purchasing LV products. If anything, your image as you point out in your response represents luxury bags as a whole... a nod to the fact that LV is one of the most easily recognised.
3/5-2008  •  ronen, israel
keep it up dont let them do whatever they want..with the money they r spending on this law suit they could feed some refugees...they stupid they not humen..its only fabric..we r talking about childrens here! good kuck i wish u will win
2/5-2008  •  Patreisha , United States
I just recently learned of your philanthropic endeavors and, unfortunately, of the legal actions that LV is taking against you. Your work is profound, and LV has no idea of how negative their actions are. Good luck to you and thank you for your intelligent and conscious work.
2/5-2008  •  Alex, USA
Who the hell is this Louis Vuitton and why does he matter at all?
2/5-2008  •  Rick, USA
Keep on doing what you're doing Nadia. I've always boycotted LV and Prada and all those other excessive wastes of money that only serve to fill in the gaping holes in society's hearts. I wish you the best of luck with the stupid legal battle that LV has started and to keep fighting the good fight. In solidarity.
2/5-2008  •  Anna, Sweden
To Namdnal: Ever heard of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and it's importance regarding branding? LV's way of acting is a good way to create badwill around the brand.
2/5-2008  •  Idan Yoav, Sweden
It's about time that this stupid people will open their eyes and see that it's not just about glamor and chic It's a really horrible situation and you are helping it!!!! Go girl....
2/5-2008  •  Karen,
from reading this story makes me want to boycott LV from now on
2/5-2008  •  Love, Sh*tty U.S.A.
I support your cause Nadia! Don't stop fighting the power of freedom of speech and creative Arts. I think some people are forgetting the main idea here. The problem is not about some bag named L.V. Obviously these vain corporations do not want to be associated with people from "different" parts of the world that are dying each day. The artist is depicting why would U.S.A. stoop to the ultimate low by glamourizing the lifestyle of a typical dumb blonde who shops all day with her great grandfathers money (she never worked a day in her life), parties all night, poses for a crotch shot, snorts whatever up her fake nose, etc. etc. We are all forgetting who we truly are, our values, and whats most important. It will take a major catastrophe (such as 9-11) for people to wake the hell up again! So sad .... it's not even about the damn bag or the stupid dog and its' soulless master.
2/5-2008  •  Liz , USA
Good for you Nadia, don't back down!
1/5-2008  •  Eric, France
Bernard Arnault is a purely mercantile figure.
1/5-2008  •  Namdnal Siroj, Netherlands
And another thing: many commenters seem to think that LV could have benefitted by using this as a chance to side with a social cause. How would a luxury brand benefit from that? It goes against the very core of their existence. That's just as naive as the idea that people who own a LV bag can not be social. :P
1/5-2008  •  Namdnal Siroj, Netherlands
You clearly mean LV, so it's a bit shady to now say that it's not LV because some details in the logo are different. I think you just didn't really think this aspect through before you started the campaign. Own it. You are basically suggesting that a baby dies every time someone (Paris Hilton) buys a LV bag. I don't have a problem with that point of view, although to me it's not very clever. But then again I'm not a LV employer, and I understand why LV can not allow this. You are trying to piggy-back ride on an existing brand and celebrity, making their branding the main aspects of your campaign's branding.
1/5-2008  •  Michal, Israel
Brilliant idea, great massage, my heart is with you, Nadia!
1/5-2008  •  Ramon Ortega, Germany
Thanks Nadia, for holding up the flag. I hope you don't get hired, though.
1/5-2008  •  gê orthof, Brazil
all my support to you! let's boycott them. (For me it's easy, since I don't have money to buy any of their ugly and tasteless items! I am glad that at least they are promoting your beautiful work! Hope they hire you to bring some good taste to their company. all the best, cheers, Gê Orthof, Brasília, Brazil http://www.georthof.multiply.com/
1/5-2008  •  Joseph, Singapore
Hi Nadia! I read about your story in our papers today! You are very brave!
1/5-2008  •  shirly m, israel
keep going!
1/5-2008  •  Marc Galan, France
China is investing in Darfour for the Sudanese genocider govment. Maybe china warned Vuitton to act against this campaign. And Vuitton reacted as China's poodle. For this Cy, what are Human Rights compared to business rights, but peanuts ?
1/5-2008  •  Peter Kamph, Denmark
Apparently, Louis Vuitton's Intellectual Property Director completely forgot to consult Louis Vuitton's Public Relations Director before attacking you... Apart from appreciating the stark irony of the 'PR issue from Hell' that LV has made for themselves, I sympathize greatly with the purpose of your campaign. Good luck :-)
1/5-2008  •  Gavriel, Israel
keep going!
1/5-2008  •  Ed Macovaz, Australia
Congratulations Nadia. If companies like Louis Vuitton are allowed to get away with this sort of thing the only art we will have will be self portraits in empty rooms.
1/5-2008  •  Mr. J KALLA, FRANCE
There's alot of handbags to be painted, when you look upon the world of today... #1 AIR #2WATER #3FOOD #4 LOVE
1/5-2008  •  Mr. J. Kalla, France
There's alot of handbags to be painted, when you look upon the world of today... #1 AIR #2 WATER #3 FOOD #4 LOVE
1/5-2008  •  Lotte Bang Steffensen, Denmark
Hej Nadia. Fantastisk initiativ. Gå hele vejen, du har fat i den lange ende.
1/5-2008  •  Jim, USA
Hi Roy. Your argumentation seems straightforward. But it involves a line in the sand that need to be crossed to make it work. Surely Louis Vuitton would leave me alone if I posed with my pet and my LV handbag for a photograph and put it up on the net. Maybe even if I gave the rights away to a company and uploaded it to youtube or such. Would I be allowed to dress up in a unfavorable way and choose an aggravating background or other elements of the picture to distort the context? What about I sold that photograph publicly? It would be my photograph, my pet and my handbag after all? Where would you draw the line in the sand? In my opinion all of the above should be perfectly legal. Or let me say it differently. I wouldn't worry doing it and I would expect not to be bothered by anyone.
1/5-2008  •  Kresten O, Danmark
Wow, so much attention for such boring, derivative art! Maybe if your art wasn't so obvious and derivative it wouldn't cause you so much trouble!
1/5-2008  •  Roy, USA
Actually, in my opinion, you are wrong to use an image of their product in your work. Its not yours and it implies culpability on the part of Vuitton. I understand what you are trying to say, but the image distorts their product, which they have a right to protect. Good luck. I hope you lose though. You probably won't post this though because I'm not a robot like the other commenters.
1/5-2008  •  Jim, USA
Just wanted to check back here to see what's going on. So, I burnt that bag on the barbecue. It was a mess and it didn't earn me applause only. But it sparked interesting discussions throughout the evening.
1/5-2008  •  Tete, Brasil
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
1/5-2008  •  Margrit, Germany
We need mechanisms to prevent all these senseless lawsuits. If natural persons can't argue their case anymore but need legal representation, legal persons so to speak, the outcome in the long run seems clear. Those who can pay for representation win. That's wrong.
1/5-2008  •  Friedrich M., Germany
Louis Vuitton seems rather thin-skinned. There's a lot heftier rebranding going on. Check out the Lidl - Stasi campaign with a t-shirt by 3dsupply for example. Actually, Nadias design is not even rebranding. It's just recontexting. If Louis Vuitton can't stand the heat they should get out behind the oven.
1/5-2008  •  Cláudio Felipe and Marianna, Brasil
Your campaign is marvelous, we're with you too!!!
1/5-2008  •  Silvânia and Cláudio, Brasil
We´re with you. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
1/5-2008  •  Luiz Fernando, Brasil
Dear Nadia, congratulations !!! Kisses
1/5-2008  •  William Robert, France
Le T-shirt est d un gout douteux, mais il defend une juste cause (dénoncer la vulgarite de toutes les Paris Hilton de la terre et notre indifference coupable aux souffrances des plus pauvres). LVMH se trompe de combat puis que en definitive, vous lui faite une belle publicité et l'associez à une noble cause. I devrait vous en remercier. En vous attaquant, sans doute M. Bernard Arnault vise t il M. Francois Pinault, son grand rival en affaire qui se trouve etre un grand collectionneur d Art conteporain. Good luck and go on.
30/4-2008  •  J. Lebowski, USA - San Francisco
What a PR disaster they just stepped into.
30/4-2008  •  digger, los e. u.
I applaud your work, and wish you good luck with fighting the lawsuits. Unfortunately, it is all up to the lawyers now, even though the LV suit is baseless.
30/4-2008  •  Moran, Israel
Keep up the good work, Nadia. You have support all around the world. Louis Vuitton's company should be aware what a bad publicity they're giving themselves.
30/4-2008  •  Jytte Knudby, Holland/Denmark
Godt klaret, Nadia. Har lige bestilt din T-shirt. Hold ved - jeg håber du vinder.
30/4-2008  •  rotem, Israel
it is impossible! he can`t do it! * i wish i will have the money to buy this T-shirt, it is really important.
30/4-2008  •  Benoît, France
Thumbs up, Nadia. If I had the money to buy a Louis Vuitton bag I wouldn't do it. Neither before nor after they outed themselves as disrespectful pricks. If I had the money to buy a Simple Living T-shirt I would do it. How can I help?
30/4-2008  •  Thomas, Germany
Brilliant campaign, Nadia. Keep going. @Rodrigo and Richard Click on the 't-shirt' link on http://www.nadiaplesner.com/ and see for yourself that 100% of the profit is going to "Divest for Darfur". 100% profit is 30% of what we pay for the t-shirt. The other 70% of the price are the costs to plant the cotton, weave the fabric, sew the t-shirt, print the design and ship it somewhere.
30/4-2008  •  Martin, Denmark
Saw you in the newspaper - going to galleri Bastillen first thing monday to buy a t-shirt!!! :-) Det er davids vs. goliat, men hvor er det fedt du kæmper - hæng i!!! Tror helt sikkert du vinder! Dafur har brug for sådan nogen som dig - det gør en stolt over at være dansker!
30/4-2008  •  Albert, Netherlands
Dutch: Goed zo, ik sta aan jou kant, hoewel de tas inderdaad wel veel op een LV tas lijkt :P Maar ga wel door, het is een goede campagne! English: Good job! I'm at your side! Even though the bag indeed looks a lot like a LV bag :P But keep going, it's a good campaign!
30/4-2008  •  Thiago Nordelli, Brasil
Já tem tantos comentários...eu fico sem comentérios. PARABÉNS!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! IS..IS...FANTASTIC! WONDERFUL! VERY, VEEEERY GOOD!!!
30/4-2008  •  Victor, Brasil
LV's reaction is pathetic!They can get billionaire by deceiving materially "rich" people with stupid and futile marketing campaigns. But when someone starts a real campaign pro vitae, it is unacceptable. In a world where nonsenses like these happen everyday, we shold not only support alternative solutions, like your Nadia, but also provoke those huge corporations ourselves. Proposal: WRITE TO LV WEBSITE CRITICISING THEIR DECISION. Go on Nadia. Don't quit on this campaing of yours. A part fo Brazil is with you.
30/4-2008  •  Adriana, Brazil
Nadia, I'm with you. Congratulations for your position.
30/4-2008  •  Beatriz, Brazil
Congratulations! This is a wonderful job! You have my admiration! Good luck!
30/4-2008  •  Beatriz, Brasil
Great! Congratulations on your work! Wonderful work, wonderful attitude!
30/4-2008  •  Robert, Czech Republic
I don´t understand LV. LV doesn´t have a heart. Congratulations Nadia, with your campaign you are building a better world.
30/4-2008  •  Joao Amorim, Brazil
Dear Nadia, Keep on Fighting!!! Corporate interests could not overcome human live and freedom of expression. Your artwork is beautiful and strong, and the piece LV is contesting is even better, once it´s associated with a humanitarian warning. Congratualtions on your talent and your work. I´ll announce your battle on fredom of speech to my students and in my blog. All the best
30/4-2008  •  Christian, Brazil
Congratulations Nadia. You did a wonderful work and I respect you. Consider this cry from Louis Vuitton a recognize of a good job. You are an Artist!
30/4-2008  •  MORTEN HARTZ KAPLERS, Denmark
Join Facebookgroup: Louis Vuitton vs. Darfur
30/4-2008  •  TICO http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=16220596495891071084, Brazil
Keep you head UP....keep fighting...LV suckzzz we r alway in your side ^^
30/4-2008  •  Glória Portella , Brazil
I loved your "Simple living" t-shirt. It's sensible and force us to reflect about our lives and the world we want as human beings. It's almost incredible that a big company such as Louis Vuitton had decided to try to stop your campaign. It'd be really more smart if they had decided to donate something to Darfur. Their decision give us the impression that they don't like people but purses. Very elitist and arrogant. Nothing to do with the sense of Liberté, Egalité and Fraternité that France spread around the world, don't you think?
30/4-2008  •  Valter Ferreira, Brazil
Querida Nádia, Adorei o contraste. Um a criança linda em sua humildade, segurando duas coisas "horríveis": uma bolça Louis Vuitton de péssimo gosto e o tenebroso cachorro da cachorra Paris Hilton. Força! Estamos todos com você. Congratulations!
30/4-2008  •  Isabela Dantas, Brasil
Nadia you are strong and keep the fight ! The world urgently needs to open their eyes and heart for what really matters!
30/4-2008  •  Alessandro, Canada
Lamentavel esta atitude da Louis Vuitton... E ainda por cima vai querer para si o dinheiro arrecadado? Eles estao roubando dos pobres!!! Louis Vuitton is sick and sucks... Louis Vuitton, ça ne vaut pas la peine, car c'est une entreprise qui ne respect pas la liberté d'expression, ni la cause humanitaire non plus.
30/4-2008  •  Carolina, Brazil
Nadia, congratulations on your work, keep strong, and you´ll win this fight! Count on us!
30/4-2008  •  Bernard, France
Food for poor people! Why are you doing this LV? LV hates poor people?
30/4-2008  •  shaked, israel
you are vety talentive and you are doing a wonderful job! hang on... your work is blessed
30/4-2008  •  stella, brazil
congratulations for your campaing!!!!!!I would like to acquiret t-shirt for me,but in brazil there aren´t place for buy.
30/4-2008  •  Gustavo Prado, Brasil
Olá CECÍLIA, acredito que se o mundo tivesse mais pessoas como você, certamente não teríamos tantas crianças morrendo sem nenhum cuidado, como se fossem bichos. Acredito neste trabalho. Louis Vuitton, vocês não podem abraçar esta campanha, porque não saiu da cabeça de vocês? Sinal que pensam pouco.
30/4-2008  •  Juraci Pike, UK
Go ahead Nadia! I ordered yr T-shirt today.Hope LV don't sue me. Make the best of the situation. I can only regret LV executive's wrong decision.
30/4-2008  •  Fernando Franca, Brazil
Congratulations, Mrs. Plesner! Your campaing is very important! Never surrender!
30/4-2008  •  Mary, US
What is LV! Lie and Violence?
30/4-2008  •  Lucas, Brazil
I agree and support your campaign, however, it not authorize you or whomelse wants to defame trademarks. In this manner, go ahead with your campaign, maintain your freedom to express, but don´t defame others...you´re doing quite same denigrating ones to support others.
30/4-2008  •  Fernando Morais, Brasil
I agree with Helio, everybody should drop a few lines for Louis Vuitton in their website. I just did: "It is at least curious and disappointing that a company as respectable and famous as Louis Vuitton does a regretable lawsuit on Nadia Plesner. By doing so the company shows that they don't have the minimal worries on social responsability - and even worse, they don't respect values like culture or liberty of expression. Instead of spending thousands of dollars in lawsuits, you should contribute to Nadia's cause to show your concerns to the world you explore. Yes, explore." Fernando Morais Sao Paulo, Brazil ferdi_morais@hotmail.com
30/4-2008  •  Eran, Israel
Wiki sais the Vuitton family actively supported Nazi Germany http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Vuitton
30/4-2008  •  Zette - thomazette@gmail.com, Brazil
Se fosse vendida no Brazil com certeza eu compraria, alguém sabe como? Será só coincidência luxo e lixo serem palavras tão parecidas?
30/4-2008  •  Anne Lopes, Brazil
Go, Nadia ! Everythig we can do to pick up attention of people to that problem, we must do ! The real world is not made by LVs and Paris Hiltons, but poor people and we have the moral obligation to support them.
30/4-2008  •  Jorge, Brasil
"Luis Viton"'s attitude helps to kill people. Darfur Campaign is trying to save people. LET´S SAVE PEOPLE!
30/4-2008  •  Jens Borgkvist, Denmark
Hi Nadia. Continue your fight, you are setting an example for artists around the world. Never let corporations or gorvernements silence art. Best wishes, Jens
30/4-2008  •  Louise, Germany
what louis vuitton is doing is so f*cking awful, i dont have any words for it. DISGUSTING!
30/4-2008  •  Marina Mendonça, Brasil
É um absurdo que em um mundo onde a desigualdade social é gritante ainda existam pessoas que se sujeitam a gastar uma fortuna em banalidades que alimentam o ego. Liberdade de expressão. Total apoio a Nadia!!!!
30/4-2008  •  Willians, Brazil
Hello Nadia, congratulations for your obsession. Im belive in you, and im happy for your campaing Louis Vuitton IS SUX!!! Bye Good Luck =D
30/4-2008  •  Sandra, Brazil
Congratulations! Please, don't stop your work, you are the example for everyone. Can you sell t-shirts in Brazil? You have too mauch fans here. You have my support and admiration. Congratulations, again!
30/4-2008  •  Helio Mello, Brazil
I strongly suggest that everybody send a message to Louis Viton to press them to drop the charges against you and your campaign. I already did it here is teh link https://wws.louisvuitton.com/web/html/yourquestions/contact.jsp?langue=en_GB&buy=1&
30/4-2008  •  João Paulo , Brazil
Dear Nadia, If you need some adittional legal advice, even though you are pretty well defended, I work on these matters here in Brazil, and I could provide you with a legal opinion. If that interests you, contact me at jpkf2004@hotmail.com.
30/4-2008  •  Raquel, Brasil
Parabéns! Quero vestir esta camisa Também! Beijos
30/4-2008  •  Marcelo Franceschini, Brasil
I support you 100%. Hey Louis Viton - help campain donnating money for Nadia
30/4-2008  •  Marcelo Franceschini, Brasil
I support you 100% Louis Viton - help campain donnating money for Nadia
30/4-2008  •  Patrick, Brazil
Big corporations sucks! Take a look The Corporation. A very good documentary.
30/4-2008  •  ZAKA, BRAZIL
One day... I hope very soon... people will see what is really important in life... If people have money to buy very expensive things... they should get together and buy food to feed our brothers and sisters around the world... Good luck ... ZAKA www.zakustic.com
30/4-2008  •  Afonso, Brazil
Dear Nadia, congratulations for your lovely campaign and brave decision to keep fighting the establishment. Dear Nathalie and LV staff !!! Thanks for your stupid efforts which ended up helping this honored campaign by bringing it to the news frontline worldwide. Don’t you all already have enough for your lives ????
30/4-2008  •  João, Brazil
Campaigns that mobilize people searching a better world are always welcome. But i really would like to know how many of you didn´t ever care for a LV bag. And more, how many of you don´t own one?
30/4-2008  •  Renato, UK
Keep going with your campaign, and maybe we can join in another campaign to avoid buying products from greedy Louis Vitton brand!!! Thank you for your initiative, it only shows how those companies really care about the rest of the world.
30/4-2008  •  Daniel, Sweden
The damage to the LV brand is alreday done so now it should be time for some damage control. I can't even imagine what's going on with LV's PR people if this is the way they are handeling stuff. About 84% of all fashion people are on coke, but come on guys, is this really your plan? Personally, see my self as an active boycotter. The only thing I've from LV is a wallet, which was a present. And it's fake.... I'm a few years late but I guess I'm kissing that Kanye back pack goodbye as well.
30/4-2008  •  James Norris, Uk
Congratulations, Nadia! Your work is comparable to Andy Warhol's! He used a famous movie start to show us how fashion drives people's minds. You used fashion to drive the people's minds to a social problem. Congratulations!
30/4-2008  •  Sam, UK
Dear Giovana (from Brazil): Using powerful brands to call attention to social problems is more than justifiable: it is necessary. I congratulate the artist for her work and for the success of her campaign, measured by the media coverage on the subject. Art, Giovana, is not branding. Art is a way to express deeper feelings and thoughts, and that is what Nadia has accomplished. Without prejudice to those that like and buy LV products an to LV itself (I couldn't actually see the brand explicitly used anywhere, although the artwork may be considered a reference to it), Nadia has called our attention to the social distance between them and those who live (and die) in Dafur. Nadia, once again congratulations for your work. LV's lawsuit is going to help you bring forward your message. Make the best of the situation. I can only regret LV executive's decisions. For those looking for a benchmark on how corporations can help African countries, research "river blindness" and GSK (I am not a big fan of the pharma industry by the way, but GSK in this case deserves applause).
30/4-2008  •  WHO UN, Switzerland
Dear Nadia, I just came back from Sudan where I saw your t-shirt, the all world knows about your campaign. Congratulations. Re LV, don't waste your energy with them, although they should be fighting against non original products rather than disturbing your campaign. Well Done
30/4-2008  •  Emil, Sweden
Good luck to you. When I'm able to afford stuff from LV, I'll start boycotting them right away.
30/4-2008  •  Magali, Spain
Is MORE THAN FARE to use a big brand's name to do a job that they DON'T WANT to do themselves. Very creative work. That simple picture sais more than a thousands of words put toguether. Keep strong and keep fighting for those who really need. WELL DONE!!!
30/4-2008  •  Fabio, Spain
Great Nadia! Don´t stop the T-shirt sale to support the campaign and leave the LV follow up the lawsuit, they´ll be the only damaged. F*** LV!. Let´s spread!. Blog it, email it, post it...
30/4-2008  •  yaki, israel
you go girl and show them some fine art for good causes! its a shame they dont take part in this blessed project. until when exactly the world's gonna shut up and do nothing while entire nation is in pain and suffer?! wake up world! its time to do something!
30/4-2008  •  Ligia Morris, Brazil
I call for a LV boycott! They should embrace the cause for which this artist has very cleverly and in very intellectually sophisticated manner, represented the handbag company. As to the artist - what a great job! This is what art is meant to be. A force of expression that compels people to feel.
30/4-2008  •  Dennys Amaro, Brazil
Go Nadia! maybe they´re going to stop ur work, but they will never shut all the voices that YOU raised all over the world! Congrats!
30/4-2008  •  Vee, USA
More power to you NADIA! I'm spreading the word.
30/4-2008  •  Dino, U.S.
So charities are exempt from copyright restrictions? Interesting. Now try the same tee with the coca cola logo, or the gucci logo's. Even an illiterate would tell you the bag says 'LV' so obviously they're not happy about their identity being hijacked by a publicity stunt like this.
30/4-2008  •  Simpson, Australia
I have only heard about your campaign because of the LV lawsuit, so maybe it was for the better. Shame on them for the bullying antics. They deserve the PR backlash that will go with it. Copyright laws should NEVER override common sense and allow for corporate bullying. They must accept (and hopefully understand) those bags are a symbolic object of popular culture. Good on you Nadia!
30/4-2008  •  Terry, UK
Copyrights, trademarks and patents need to be abolished. These are artifical barriers between a perfectly functional handbag and a perfectly function handbag with a certain design. Why should I be kept from brushing up my perfectly functional handbag with some design that sells?
30/4-2008  •  Petr, USA
Cecilia, you say that "If people dont care about genocides and poverty and prefer to spend thousands of dollars in LV bags, THAT is their right." I say "If that's the cause for genocides and poverty it's our duty as citizens to make people at least feel bad."
30/4-2008  •  Ben Weir, USA
Dear Martina, I agree with you that it isn't necessary to be inspired by a luxury brand. So, why is there a TV show "The Simple Life", for Brazil it's "Mudando de Vida", where people stage a simple life posing with luxury accessories? And why is it so popular that there are a dozen spin offs all over the world? It is because charity has nothing to do with any luxury brands or the despise thereof. Those who watch that show and probably most of the rest of us just don't give a shit about Darfur. We want to get home to our TV shows and be left alone. And that paves the way for those who murder in Sudan. I don't want to get into the details here. But LV is not the least of those who profit from that fact. Those who produce these bags need the resources to do so. And when they don't own them they have to get them elsewhere.
30/4-2008  •  GIscard, Brasil
Dear Giovana From brazil. Your comments are quite confused. The artist is in no ways using any logo, or reffering to LV at any moment while drawing the t-shirt or posters. LV thinks that she used their "way of creating bags" to draw her own bag in the drawing. Wrong. Also, she is not using LV to make any campaign, come on !!! lV should accept that, as big players in the luxury business, as a very famous trademark, thaey would possibly be a target for any kind of manifestation. like this one now.
30/4-2008  •  Giovana, Brasil
Dear artist, I support your campaing, but i don´t think its right for you to use a brand such as LV, to achive your point.You as an artist should know it better, there are other ways to make your point without having to stress the media, and the population with this. I do support your campaing, I think this campaing has a very solid base, but I don´t support the idea of using brand to achive a point.
30/4-2008  •  Sidney Erthal, USA
It's unbelievable how big companies like LV don't even donate a single penny for causes like the one you are helping now... Shame on them and shame on the people who pay thousands of dollars to have an ugly bag with those ugly monograms.. You rock!!!! As an artist, I definitely would like to contribute for your cause! Keep going! Sid
30/4-2008  •  gilberto, brasil
You are in the right way! congratulations!
30/4-2008  •  ICU Nurse, U.S.A.
Congratulations Mrs. Nadia Plesner. As a former L.V. handbag lover, I am doing my part and boycotting the store for my own self justification. You are an ANGEL of our time who expresses disasters of the real world through art. I must say for L.V. to sue you is utterly disgusting, especially when you are raising conscious awareness and money for a great cause. Anyone who doesn’t see the wrong that LVMH are responsible for is one of the very people blinded by high society rhetoric. You can be a lover of finer things and still maintain objectivity. As much, the love of a particular label and it’s offerings should never be enough to cause one to place it’s value higher than that of human life.Just contemptible! As an ICU nurse who deals with life and death everyday, people are uneducated and blinded by the "all mighty we shall pray in the $$$". Your art of the bag is not an L.V. bag, but rather a parody. Each and every single day you see designs that some what replicate other brands that they are almost similar. Andy Warhol was never sued. Why doesn't L.V. hunt down the thousands and billions of knockoff L.V. handbags on the street/shops? The bottom line is, it is pity for them to only think of themselves in regards to the situation. But then again, many (not all) of the rich feel that they are superior and made of power. One thing I can say for sure, it doesn't matter how much money you have because in the end, if it was your life money could never save you. I've taken care of so many severely ill patients (some wealthy) stating they would give up all the money in the world for their health to stabilize back. You are amazing. I support your art and the angel that you are! Keep fighting. Corporations need to stop their greedy hunger because someday it will just all crumble.
30/4-2008  •  Lahoz, Brasil
Apenas indignado com a atitude do costureiro!
30/4-2008  •  Martina, Brazil
Dear Nadia, I don't think it's necessary to be inspired by a luxury brand, like LV you used on that T-shirt. Sharity has nothing to do with despise any luxury brands. Your initiative is clearly wonderful but you could do better. You are a great artist, very wellknowen. You don't need to offend and to mock LV. Keep on going and working on your case and donate 100% of what you sell, that would be a great contribution. Ask the products suppliers to offer you all material you need to produce the pieces and give the Darfur people your free work.
30/4-2008  •  ANDRÉA CAVALCANTE, BRAZIL
NADIA PLESNER,IS BECOUSE BEUATIFOUL PEAPLE LIKE YOU WHITH ALL THIS TALENT THAT THAT THIS WORLD KEEP GOING!!!CIRURGIC CAMPANHA!!!!HOW CAN I GET ONE FROM BRAZIL?!!FANTASTICA CAMPANHA!!!
30/4-2008  •  Fernando, Brazil
By the way: I`m sure that everybody that posted here congratulating you and supporting the campaign,had never done anything about this huge problem, including me. I know that is easier to support a good cause, as the poverty combat without thinking if it's the correct way, and I`m sorry, It's neither fair nor legal. ps: I work once a week serving food in a hospital for free in my town.
30/4-2008  •  Fernando, Brazil
It was a good stategy. Use a big trademark to attract people to your website and, of course, to see your products(the others products that you make money with, such as: your paintings, etc and mainly your name), and then you say that is charity? there's a charity idea on the site, but the rest is an use of a copyright not allowed to be well knowed.
30/4-2008  •  Edvaldo Macedo, Brazil
Congrats on the campaign! Don't stop it, keep up the beautiful work you've been doing!
30/4-2008  •  Jasmin, Paris
Dear Nadia Plesner, I present you all my congratulations for your artistic talent. I find your T-shirt sublime.I hope there is one for me. I support you. I love you.Thank you. This is an important cause and we must persevere. BRAVO! Louis Vuitton Go F... yourself.
30/4-2008  •  Sandro, Brasil
Congratulations, keep walking.
30/4-2008  •  Marcela, Brasil
Parabéns Nádia pela sua iniciativa,seria muito mais legal se Louis Vuitton entrasse na campanha para ajudar o Sudão, do que ficar perdendo tempo em brigar e futilidades...bom já estão acostumados com futilidades!!
30/4-2008  •  Vivian, Brasil
Genius! Lets talk about distributing your tee-shirts, do you think you´ll able to produce enough for the demand now that you´ve got the world´s attention? Are you creating other products?
30/4-2008  •  Bela, Brazil
Congratulations!! You´re realy creative! Do not ever stop your job!!
30/4-2008  •  Xaxa, Brasil
Aplaudo a sua inicativa ; realmente é um ultraje o preço de uma bolsa da LV, além do que são tão cafonas !!!
30/4-2008  •  Manoela Martins de Freitas, Brasil
Nádia... Parabéns pelo trabalho. Continue assim... Beijos manoela
30/4-2008  •  Nelson, Brasil
Cara Nadia, Parabéns pela sua iniciativa. Se esta é uma forma de chamar a atenção do mundo pela causa do genocídio no Sudão, então vale a pena. Continue com o trabalho.
30/4-2008  •  Monica Pucci, Brazil
I don't think LV is trying to stop your campaign, my dear.... the T shirt is amazing, but it's prejudice to think that all LV users do not care about poor people, misery, etc... I live in a 3rd World Country, it shocks me to see that no one cares for Brazil or Latin America, but that doesn't mean I can from now on segregate any kind of person... sorry...
30/4-2008  •  Cecilia, USA
Congratulations on your cause. I think is great but LV has a point cause you definitely were thinking on LV when you put that bag on your T-shirts and posters. You have your right to defend your cause but not portraying LV as a shallow business and make people feel bad for buying luxury goods. If people dont care about genocides and poverty and prefer to spend thousands of dollars in LV bags, THAT is their right. Dont say that LV is trying to stop your cause, cause its far from the truth. They are defending themselves from the negative publicity that you are doing.
30/4-2008  •  Augustuzs Neto, Brazil
Dear Nadia Plesner, Thanks for opening a space for comments on the affair involving you and Louis Vuitton. As a LV client, I want to say to both parts that: 1. I recognize Ms. Plesner´s right to use that handbag to illustrate the t-shirt and poster since no LV logos can be seen; 2. Louis Vuitton has the right to address to Ms. Plesner the company´s concern regarding its intelectual rights, including there the creators of the Multicolore model, Marc Jacobs and Takashi Murakami; 3. That said, I want to tell you that by no means I feel any guilt as a consumer of luxury goods or any kind of disrespect towards LV. My legal money can be used wherever I want and that include financial help for those around the world who find themselves living on the edge. I wish this case comes soon to a friendly close because I really feel both sides have their good reasons to be doing what they are doing. Congratulations Ms. Plesner, I support your cause and your idea and hope you succeed. Best, Augustuzs Neto augto_neto@yahoo.com PS: I intend to send nearly the same message to the LVMH headquarters in Paris knowing that they´ll surely give a client the attention he deserves.
30/4-2008  •  shani, israel
i admire your determination and courage as i know you have to continue the fight cause this has largest meening then it started about. this one is for basic freedom of speech, freedom of art (by the way- you have done art that is changing somthing real-this is the power of art!) and the force of kapitalism and the price of it. actually..not far from the original cause. you have my support!dont give up and let us know what happens next. this one is everybodys fight.
30/4-2008  •  torc-moya, france
Chre Nadia, ton dessin de ce petit bonhomme n'a rien ˆ voir avec un gosse en train de crever. Il est juste en train de s'amuser avec un bag ramassŽ dans une poubelle pour tromper sa faim. Ces types de chez vuitang mŽritent un procs; pour obscŽnitŽ.
29/4-2008  •  Jesper, Denmark
Hang in there, Nadia! You wouldn't believe the amounts of bad attention that you are giving Louis Vuitton *LOL* Even if you should loose the lawsuit (and you won't) you have fans all around the world who will pay the fine for you! You are an example to us all! Cheers, Jesper
29/4-2008  •  Arnold, The Netherlands
As much a Louis Vuitton has the right to protect their trademark, I'm also fully aware of the fact that the striking resemblance of this design with an existing trademark is just a mere representation and mockery with the over-appreciation of wealth by our media. My opinion is this: sometimes drastic measures are needed in order to be able to make people aware of the problems in our world. The fact that Louis Vuitton only sees the negative side of this print, rather than the fact that they might help people become aware is a pity. But surely, if in this very print another specific design(er) had been used, then either way it would have caused a stir in our media. The sole purpose of this print is to make people aware of the tragic things, which still happen while we're living in wealth. And too bad for Louis Vuitton, they are depicted in a symbol as well as a drastic and much needed action. For, only by provoking the mass, we might be able to make a difference. Therefore, I wholeheartedly hope that the people of Louis Vuitton will see the how and why of this poster, and will cease seeking justice whilst this poster has never been one to mock the specific brand of Louis Vuitton.
29/4-2008  •  Zora, France
jerjer: To me it looks more like LV has picked the wrong fight. Why did they start fighting anyway. How can they fight perception of reality? I don't get it. You're suggesting that Nadia started a campaign against LV? The campaign was not about or against LV until they choose to get involved. I fail to see how Nadia started a campaign against them. And about the world of trouble: Live is trouble. Only death is not. (Alexis Zorbas)
29/4-2008  •  Frankie, UK
I think that it is really important to raise awareness about what is happening in darfur, but Louis Vuitton has the right to protect their image and that of their customers. Even if the whole project is not aimed at harming LV as a company it still is having a negative effect upon them. The law is there for a reason and be it for a good cause or not everyone should keep to it. Their actions may not have been the best way to go about it but it's not like Nadia wasn't warned. And another point.... I am not a fan of Paris Hilton but it's ridiculous that someone has blamed it all on her... you need to get real!
29/4-2008  •  Nayano Skaaning, Denmark
Think BIG L V - See the truth on a T Shirt
29/4-2008  •  AMIR, ISRAEL
YOU ARE VERY CREATIVE. DONT STOP YOUR GOOD ART BECAUSE OF THEM, I DONT BLIVE THAT THEY CAN SUE YOU BECAUSE ITS NOT THE NAME: "LV" AS LOUIS VIITON. WISH YOU THE BEST. AMIR
29/4-2008  •  Carla, USA
This seems akin to the recent case where wal-mart tried to sued a severely disabled woman for every last penny she had- the bad PR they accumulated via public outcry cost them so much they were forced to give it up. Hopefully this will work the same way- just give LV enough rope! Frankly it would've been cleaner to just give Nadia's campaign the $7500 (x3) and bask in that radiant fallout. This is ridiculous.
29/4-2008  •  Yannis, Greece
Hang in there!
29/4-2008  •  Chase, USA
I wish you the best of luck!
29/4-2008  •  Trisha, DK
Hi Nadia - You have my support! As for jerjer's comment: as sick as it sounds - the court battle with LV actually gives the campaign more attention than it (perhaps) would have gotten otherwise...
29/4-2008  •  jerjer, France
you are picking the wrong fight. you are raising more awareness on your dispute against LV than on the cause you wanted to defend. about the drawing, I think that LV has reasonable arguments. now if you start a campaign against them you expose yourself to a world of trouble. I respect your ambition to help people in Darfur through art. shouldn't you focus on this instead of going to court?
29/4-2008  •  anon, usa
LOUIS VUITTON?? who the hell is that? apparently some evil bastard that thinks genocide is ok or something.... wow... saw this on torrent freak and wanted to give a shoutout to keep up the good fight. i for one didnt instantly think lv or whatever... i thought about contrast of what i was seeing... *shrug*
29/4-2008  •  Thierry, France
It's not Nadias fault that she had to draw a LV handbag and a dog. It's Paris Hiltons fault. If Paris showed up with a plastic bag from carrefour and a piggy Nadia had to draw that instead. LV can't choose the image we have of it. We choose LV's image by association, whether LV promotes it or not. Imagine how fast LV would sue Paris Hilton if she would attack paparazzis with an LV bag. Well, okay LVs spin doctors could probably turn around such an incident. But you know what I mean. Let the dog use the LV handbag instead of a tree for example.
29/4-2008  •  legrand yann, france
Vuitton me fait honte, les riches ne sont pas connectés à la réalité de la vie du plus grand nombre. ça laisse réveur..........
29/4-2008  •  Rop, The Netherlands
Fascinating thread. I got carried away and forgot why I came here in the first place: Nadia, excellent project!
29/4-2008  •  Henry, Canada
Armin from Denmark: Just because they're selling handbags, they can't shit on the law. What did they expect? Nadia, keep it up.
29/4-2008  •  Abby, Canada
This is ridiculous. You're doing an amazing job, keep it up. I support you 100%
29/4-2008  •  Rop, The Netherlands
Hi Richiebuzz! I agree with you. Except for the part: "... The viewer immidiately notices the absurd context and deeper meaning behind the image Nadja has made. ..." There's quite a bit of whining about trademarks here which seems to contradict the "notice" of the "deeper meaning".
29/4-2008  •  yossi, israel
keep trying you have my sopport.
29/4-2008  •  Rolf, Germany
@ leo You don't like her idea: ok. It doesn't make sense: I doubt it. You think they wouldn't sell her a bag: Probably. They wouldn't have her in their advertising campaign: You're right. She has so many options: Right again. She could use the king or the queen of denmark? Huh? You seem to be confused about the options. How could she use humans, even royals, for her campaign. That's what's wrong with Darfur in the first place. The population there gets used for some purpose they aren't even involved with.
29/4-2008  •  Brent, USA
@Tami You don't really bring strong arguments for LV or Darfur. If you want to pick a side that's ok. But I could use the same kind of arguments against LV.
29/4-2008  •  Meitar, Israel
you have my support
29/4-2008  •  Tami, USA
Although your intentions are admirable, your bag very obviously resembles a LV bag. Why would you purposely cause such a fight after they asked you very nicely to discontinue using their likeness? Why not alter the image? It really doesn't seem like too much to ask. In the end.. you're making the charity look bad, and probably costing them more grief than you are relieving by raising money. It's sad that this is becoming all about you instead of all about the cause.
29/4-2008  •  Armin, Denmark
Just because you fighting a good cause, you cant shit on the laws. What did you expect?
29/4-2008  •  katie, USA
you rock nadia! keep up the good work. word has spread throughout the internet and you have a lot of support. LV sucks!
29/4-2008  •  Ciara , US
Your image is absolutely brilliant! ...and the lawsuit is ridiculous. Keep up the great work! You've got my support!
29/4-2008  •  Erika, US
F**K Louis Vuitton! I'm going to send them a letter. And F**K all you people who commented saying, "well it actually does look like a Louis Vuitton bag." Besides, it's a COPY of a COPY dumbasses! Way to be, defending a corporation. Go on consuming people. You make the world go round. Nadia, your campaign is brilliant.
29/4-2008  •  SisElla, Israel
All the power to you, sister Nadia!!! You are doing a graceful deed!! And if I may, I would like to use this platform to say to the Louise Vitton crew that I feel sorry for them, for not seeing that for them, as a brand - especially one that relates to the wealthier part of society, to be an active part in this blessed campaign, will be not only the Right Thing to do, but also beneficial to their image in the wider publics' eye... I wish You strength, support, stamina & success on this journey you took upon yourself.. Sis'Ella
29/4-2008  •  Keren, Israel
amazing thought 4 an amazing cause, wish u all luck and support!
28/4-2008  •  JP, France
With my full support ! /// Avec tout mon soutien ! Les campagnes de pub de LV mixant Gorbatchev et Deneuve sont insoutenables. Les propos de B. Arnault sur le Tibet aussi. /// LV ads mixing Gorbatchev and Deneuve are disgusting. B. Arnault's comments on Tibet too.
28/4-2008  •  Etai, Israel
Such a strong drawing. I wish u luck in your campaign... a very nice try to wake us up. We should all unite in supporting Africa.
28/4-2008  •  Raoul, Paris, France
Jean Duchatea? Un petit franchouillard qui souffre de la maladie la plus répandue en France -- le complèxe d'infériorité. Casse-toi, pauvre con, comme disait ton ami, le petit-président Sarkozy. Nadia, don't let yourself be put off by people who work for a guy who became the France's richest man in no more than 25 years and whose fortune was built by defrauding the French state. These people must be so nasty, because they are there to earn the 44 million salary the LVMH boss will take home this year (plus the filthy profits he pockets on top of that). The same guy last week ordered his friend Sarkozy to dispatch two clowns (the current president of the Senate and a former primeminister) to China to brown-nose the resident dictator, because LVMH feares that the angry Chinese would boycott their completely tasteless and obscenely overpriced bags. Keep up the good work! Cheers, --R.
28/4-2008  •  moshe, israel
be strong!
28/4-2008  •  Patricia, Canada
I applaud you Ms. Plesner! We need people like you to stand up for their rights and put the intellectual-property-freaks in their place. Even if you had made the bag look exactly like a LV bag, do they think you are cutting into their profits or something? laughable. I am pretty sure you will win, and if you don't, well the victims and survivors of darfur will only have Louis Vuitton to thank. Also, I appreciate the irony of the art on the shirt, it is very effective as it makes me want to donate, thinking about the relative luxury we live in and how unnecessary a 2500$ designer purse would be to someone with no drinking water...
28/4-2008  •  leo, germany
i really don't like you're idea , it doesn't make sense. I think they wouldn't sell you a bag or they wouldn't have you in their advertising campaign. You have so many options , and the king or the queen of denmark you can use them for a campaign about the darfour!!!
28/4-2008  •  Yigall, Israel
You Rock!
28/4-2008  •  Pedro, Portugal
Dont you have any original ideas for the campaign? do you really need to use brands and celebrities? After this you're the one who will need fund raising. Everybody knows that Louis Vuitton don´t allow copys of their bags what did you expect??
28/4-2008  •  francisco, spain
how can i buy one tshirt and help the darfur kids? my email is: raposo.fran@gmail.com
28/4-2008  •  Angelie, DK
of cours it looks like an LV bag because if she just had painted a normal bag people would not understand the meening of the panting and so what if she used LV she could have used any other brand. the point is that she is trying to help Darfur and LV should help her doing it or leave her alone cause people dont dislike LV because of the painting but because they are suing her trying to get money form her dont they have money enough ? I know that LV didn't ask for this but I think that thry or handling this the wrong way
28/4-2008  •  Angelie, DK
fight for your right (Darfurs right)
28/4-2008  •  Anna, United States
Jean Duchateau = Jean Duchebag
28/4-2008  •  Michael, Israel/Berlin
Cary on.Well done !!!
28/4-2008  •  Vanessa, The Philippines and Everywhere
You go, girl.
28/4-2008  •  shay, israel
dont give up . it is only natural to put symbols of status such as brands of clothing and/or other items which indicates the low profile of this problem in the west pepole like u show that we still care .
28/4-2008  •  Roger, France
You should all go in Louis Vuitton Internet site and send a message on their contact folder!! It's what I just did :)
28/4-2008  •  Heather Pavek, USA
Louis Vuitton is not trying to stop her from raising money for Darfur; they merely asked her to not use a bag in the picture that looks remarkably similar to their design. It is not a designer bag, in general. It looks like LV's trademark, except she put LS instead. They even applauded her for the good cause.
28/4-2008  •  Ducastel, France
Nadias Plesner is not an American artist, but Danish. But perhaps it's same thing because the Americans also loves herring ...
28/4-2008  •  Jean Duchateau, Paris - France
Why don't you use, your own trademarks (coca-cola, General Motors, Mac Donald, etc) for your campaign ? Making money, under pretexts of charity, is shameful.Associating Louis Vuiton, which is a brand that works for decades, in many charities, a person idle, as this poor Paris Hilton is paradoxical. That such initiative comes from, a pseudo American artist demonstrates the degree zero of American culture.Let in peace our prestigious French brands. Take your pitiful brands that invade the world with your decadent culture. I hope the court will give you a heavy fine.
28/4-2008  •  Nathalie Pujolle, Japan
Keep the fight for the Darfur victims and against the arrogance of luxury brands and their lack of values for life (over just lifestyle...).
28/4-2008  •  Cathy Gwendrez, France
Honte à vous Louis Vuitton. Ce sac que je ne voudrais pas porter est vraiment votre seul souci, je ne vous envie pas. Et forcément... Nadia Plesner est tout à fait sympathique. Bravo
28/4-2008  •  Elijah, Holy Land
LOUIS VUITTON - SHAME ON YOU! I shall remember thee when time comes... instead of winning public support and make some good PR by donating and helping ye decide to declare war on poor war refugees... SAHME SHAME SHAME Saints-Knights.com
28/4-2008  •  Alexis Dufrenoy, France
...or how intellectual property (copyright and trademarks) can support censorship. Our world becomes more and more an awful place to live!
28/4-2008  •  Dave H, Australia
This could be a great way for Louis Vuitton to show a bit of corporate responsibility. It's a great cause, and if they can be seen to support it, the world will think so much better of them. Their loss, I guess. Stick with it, Nadia. Well done. :)
28/4-2008  •  James Moose, USA
Thank Louis Vuitton for their free publicity. Do you ship to the US?
28/4-2008  •  Diana, England
No offense but the bag you designed really look like a Louis Vuitton Multi Colour to me. Surely if you wanted the bag to convey a message of "luxury hand bags in general", you should not have used a design so similar to LV. Attacking Louis Vuitton is not general.
28/4-2008  •  Richiebuzz, The Netherlands
Hi, Well, there you go.. Art scares people. Especially big companies. There seems to be no problem whatsoever with Paris Hilton an the likes, exhibiting their negative, hedonistic behaviour in context with this bag. As for the LV design. These kinds of handbags have already lost their exclusivity through mass production and thus they have become an ubiquitous icon, like MacDonald's for the spoiled western woman. Icons are great for communication. The viewer immidiately notices the absurd context and deeper meaning behind the image Nadja has made. The handbag and the child are both icons representing different worlds colliding. @ nadja, goodluckwith your struggle against LV. I hope they will eventually appreciate your art like I do. Excuse me for my bad English. Hope it alle makes any sense ;-) Regards RB
28/4-2008  •  Anders Hald, Denmark
@Martin Lamberth. Hi Martin. Copyright also extends to design of patterns, not just an actual product. If the photo you took of your friend somehow depended on the Levi's brand as an essential part of the image's quality AND you used the photo for commercial gain, you would be violating the copyrights of Levi's. Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup images addressed the whole issue of Art in the age of reproducibility. I would be very interested to know how the principle of licensing has been worked out with Campbells as Warhols posters are reproduced and sold in postershops all over the world. Mayby Campbelss decided it was good publicity and left it alone? LV obviously doesn't feel flattered by Nadia's work, and feels that the income from sale of t-shirts is dependent on the LV design (or similarity thereof). I agree with you that the freedom of speech must be protected but I think this is only borderline about freedom of speech and my suggestion is only that a court of law will see this as a copyrights issue, not a freedom of speech issue. If so, Nadia is likely to lose, AND my reason for arguing is NOT in favor of LV, but simply out of concern for Nadias personal losses in a potential court case. Hence my suggestion for all to make the most of the situation and keep the eye on the ball: Darfur. Best regards, Anders
28/4-2008  •  Martin Lamberth, Denmark
@ Anders Hald. Hi Anders. In what you propose by way of an agreement with LV, you are probably right as far as it goes — such an agreement likely WOULD render more money for Darfur. Which would be a good thing. Unfortunately, it would also let a major corporation bully an artist/designer/private individual (whatever you want to call Nadia) into not utilizing her right to free speech, which would be a BAD thing. To me, once LV started this hopeless legal battle, unfortunately this stopped being only about Darfur, and started also being about just how far we are prepared to let private corporations encroach on our human rights. I believe that ALL such cases should be fought to the last possible limit of endurance (ie. till Nadia runs out of money, or it risks ruining her life, etc.) in order to send strong statements that we will NOT let ourselves be bullied by lawyers into not exercising our basic rights. Consider the following example: I take a photograph of a friend of mine. It's a very artistic and nice photo, so I decide to display it in a gallery. But now I am sued by Levi's because my friend is wearing copyrighted jeans, and I didn't clear it with them. Isn't there something wrong with this picture? I think it is fairly clear morally AND legally that we DO have the right to represent copyrighted portions of reality, and that we ARE allowed to present trademarks in a negative light (if that's what is the case here - to me it seems more of a criticism of media agenda than of LV as a company). Copyright basically means that I can't COPY a product, not that I can't represent it, or express an opinion about it!
27/4-2008  •  Peter, Germany
All the best to you Nadia! I hope this story goes through the media and nobody is buying such a stupid Louis Vuitton handbag anymore!! They could support your campaign with a significant amount of money and ask you for changing the picture a little bit, so that the bag on your T-Shirt cannot be wrongly identified with one of their bags. This would be good for their brand... but NO! They sue you - a two billion $ company against a private person, which is trying to do something good. I wish these LV managers had to suffer the same pain like people from Dafur have!
27/4-2008  •  Kay Buena, USA
Man, I got big trouble too, if those butt-winks ever check out some of my drawing of me and LV shoes and bag, riding down the lost highway on one of those motorized wheelchairs. Is that in any way disrespectful of their products? and Perhaps, they are so politically parinoid as to view this as an attack on our senior citizens? If so, Check out this site and send it to your lawyers, it'll give those poor dears the humourous interlude they need very badly: click on Art on the site page to view: www.KayBuena.com.
27/4-2008  •  Greg Brown, USA
Don't cave to LV. You are doing good work.
27/4-2008  •  Tina Waldorff, Denmark
I wish you and the Dafur campaign good luck - keep up the spirit Kind regards Tina
27/4-2008  •  Ben, UK
I've no idea whether the following kind of argument has any judicial relevance: If LV is demanding E5000.- per day because Nadia is selling stuff with logos inspired by "The Simple Life" they should show that they would have earned that amount if Nadia wouldn't continue her campaign. Now, those who buy LV bags buy them anyway no matter what's going on in Darfur+)++). Those who buy a t-shirt from Nadia propably do it to support "Divest for Darfur" and maybe to lampoon the upper class. They wouldn't buy an LV bag instead. The motivation is completely different. So, I don't see how the different clientele interact with each other or take away business from LV. +)And they might even buy a t-shirt. That would at least show they have the guts to be a straight cynic. ++) One could argue that those who potentially buy LV bags wouldn't buy them anymore when the image of LV gets worse. But that's entirely self-inflicted damage by the legal department of LV. As a shareholder of LV I would demand the E5000.- per day from LV itself not from Nadia Plesner.
27/4-2008  •  Aaron, UK
Well u've certainly got your publicity...but whether or not you intended it?! as soon as i looked at that bag i thought LV. Its unfair to gain publicity even for a good thing at somebody elses expense. Personally i'd change the design it would be just as effective.
27/4-2008  •  Ron, USA
Does wikipedia have to pay for using the name Louis Vuitton?
27/4-2008  •  ,
I wonder if the judge is going to be a woman who likes LV handbags.
27/4-2008  •  Anders Hald, Denmark
@Martin Lamberth. Hi Martin, that is an intersting argument, and the first post that gives a nuanced view on the actual issue. Maybe the case will end up being not about copyright but a libel suit instead? Which probably LV would not win. I think there is a lot of confusion in the debate. - On Nadias website it says "LV is trying to stop my help Darfur campaign" that is not really correct. They are tryin to stop her using an image of an LV handbag in her cause. - The Nazi angle is hardly relevant either (albeit shameful). Lot's of companies that are huge today corporated with the Nazis, the list is too long to list. - My commentary in this forum is not in support of LV, merely a heads up to Nadia to consider what personal consequences she is prepared to suffer. I can't help but think that there is a real danger that more media 'space' will now be dedicated to a copyrights debate over this, than on Darfur. Also a legal battle could end up costing everyone a lot of money, that will make lawyers rich...if there was just some way that the money could go to Darfur instead. That is a challenge. Maybe that would be an intersting bargain to propose to LV: Do a rough calculation of the potential legal costs, get LV to donate that money to Darfur in exchage for ending the production of the T-Shirt, then issue a press release to the fact and both parties will have made consessions in order to benefit Darfur. No admission of defeat on iether side as both parties get what they want. Both parties would look good. That might be more productive in terms of helping Darfur, than to take on a legal battle on the point of principle. A couple of North American posters point out spelling mistakes in my posts, I do apologize English is not my native language. Rod O(f) Justice (go sit on it!) point out my spelling mistakes, yet spell my name wrong. Nadia congratulations for raising an interesting debate. Best regards, Anders
27/4-2008  •  Fermentor, Massachusetts
Also, posting their obnoxious letter on the internet is not illegal. They did not even mark it private. So you can leave it up for the rest of eternity, and there is nothing they can do. They sent the letter to you, and it becomes yours. Just like people could not sue Hunter S. Thompson for printing their letters and faxes in his "Better Than Sex" book, about the 1992 presidential election, they cannot successfully sue you, because they did not mark their letter private and had no agreement with you that restricted you from posting their letter. Also look to the many people who have been sued by the Monster Cable company. That company creates cables and such for electronic and music gear. They essentially make cables that cost them about 3 dollars in parts and sell them for 30-90 dollars. All the flashy stuff they claim is in their cables is nothing but flash, and the lifespan is barely longer than any other cable. So anyway, they sued a bunch of people just because those people used the word "Monster" in their company name, product, or whatever. They sued Disney for making a movie called "Monsters, Inc.", they sued Monster.com, they sued the Boston Red Sox for selling tickets called "Green Monster Seats" that allow the buyer to sit on top of the Green Monster Wall, which has been around for nearly a century, as well as over 200 other companies including many small internet businesses that have nothing to do with electronics gear. They haven't won any of those cases, but they keep on doing it. It is up to people like you, Ms. Plesner, to keep fighting, to set precedents for those of us who fight the good fight. If you need help, my e-mail is yagevines @ hotmail.com.
27/4-2008  •  Fermentor, Massachusetts
All you people whining about trademarks and how they should be enforced are idiots. You are not idiots because you are saying that trademarks should be enforced, you are idiots for believing that this is a case in which enforcement applies. THERE IS NO LOUIS VUITTON LOGO, NAME, OR ANYTHING IN THAT PICTURE!!!!!~ The bag RESEMBLES a bag from LV, but THAT IS NOT TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT! If she were selling a bag that looked like that, LV might be able to win a case, but she is not selling a bag, she is selling a t-shirt that has includes a drawing of a bag that LOOKS like a LV bag, but is in fact NOT a LV bag and has NO LV LOGO ON IT. There are numerous defenses she can use. First, artistic license. Look up the name "Ron English". He is an American artist who has created devastating paintings that attack McDonald's, among others, and sells them, and has had them used in the documentary "Supersize Me", and he has not lost any lawsuits. And we are talking about McDonald's, people. They are far richer, far more draconian, and far more popular than LV and their shit bags. Second, she can claim the drawing is a parody, which it essentially is. It is a dark parody, a depressing one, but it is effective. It is an ironic picture and therefore can be considered parody. If she wrote "LOUIS VUITTON KILLS AFRICANS", then they could sue. But they have nothing to go on. She doesn't use the name of the bag, company, or even the logo. She uses a parody of the logo. THIS IS NOT ILLEGAL. If it were, than Mad Magazine would have been sued out of business decades ago. Guess what! They are still around! Third, simply by the fact that she is raising money for Darfur, she has the sympathy vote right there. Though legally this does not mean she will win the case, it can influence a jury and a judge, and if by some impossible possibility LV wins the case (IE, paying off the judge), then she will most definitely not be forced to make these ridiculous payments LV is demanding. Now, if you add this to the equation of artistic license and parody rights, then there is no chance she will lose this case. LV is simply throwing away money and credibility (what little they have to anyone other than the spoiled upper class women that buy their crap). Lastly, there is legal precedent that has been set that will have any judge throw this case out. Look here: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=396918 Essentially, she cannot be sued EVEN IF SHE DID USE THE ACTUAL LOGO, and EVEN IF SHE WERE MAKING A PROFIT, because she is not promoting a competing product. Simple as that. That is why Andy Warhol never was stopped. That is why Ron English never was stopped. That is why thousands of internet t-shirt makers have been able to use trademarked logos of other companies to make funny or "ironic" t-shirts without fear of lawsuit. So stop defending LV, they have no case, and they are a vapid, soulless corporation. They serve stupid, spoiled whores like Paris Hilton, who in turn shows off her embarrassment of riches on television, the internet, and in papers that in turn takes away coverage from international crisis and travesties like the genocide in Darfur. Then they have the nerve to sue people raising money for the victims. That means they really are for genocide and for vapid, wretched, upper-class consumerism and elitism. They want this stopped because they don't care about the people in Darfur. They don't care about those people because those people will never be able to afford a stupid, oversized, and ugly bag. Even if they could, they would never buy it because they are too smart and not vain enough. Not only that, but their request for money is ridiculous and clearly someone like Ms. Plesner could never pay that much money. It is all just blow-hard talk by the company. They have nothing, and their demands are outrageously excessive. What they should do, since they are acting so selfishly and have been for their entire existence, is donate that much money per day to the relief efforts in Darfur. But they would never do that, because they are symbolic of everything that is wrong with Western Civilization. Greed, selfishness, soulless, vapid, vanity, and excess. Good Luck, Ms. Plesner. You will win this case. And you won't even need to pay for your own legal fees because of the three amazing lawyers you have found that will represent you for free. Keep up the good fight.
27/4-2008  •  Sune Hansen, Denmark
@Martin Lamberth. There ARE limits to free speech you know. There is lots of stuff you can not do/say/write/paint even if you wanted to. This is (as I see it) one of those cases. Regarding your examples - maybe no one sued in those cases, or maybe those cases wasnt as clear as this one is.
27/4-2008  •  Dali, Denmark
I just read that the estimated number of people killed in Darfur has now reached 300.000. It offends me deeply, that while the atrocities are continuing, FN and EU is looking the other way. It offens me even more, that the primeminister of Turkey recently received the kriminal president of Sudan, Mr. Bashir in Turkey. During his visit mr. Bashir was staying at one of the most luxurious hotels in Turkey. The world is crazy, so thank you Nadia. Keep up the good work!
27/4-2008  •  Tina, Greenland / Denmark
LET'S FLOOD LV'S INBOX!! AT THIS SITE YOU CAN POST A COMMENT, QUESTION OR WHATEVER TO LV: https://wws.louisvuitton.com/web/html/yourquestions/contact.jsp?langue=en_GB&buy=1& I POSTED THIS ON FRIDAY: "Perhaps you should consider your PR situation! You could have used the Nadia Plesner situation to your benefit by declaring that you were proud to produce your luxurious items and at the same time found it strange that these items were of greater public intereset than a humanitarian disaster. Benetton has made a name for themselves by not being afraid of controversial matters. What are you afraid of? Best regards"
27/4-2008  •  Jim, USA
@Anders Hald I am a creator of intellectual property material and make a living from it. (No not handbags, though :-) I choose not to copyright it but to give it away under a copyleft license, so that those who are interested can use it or build on it. That's the way to go, so that money is something you don't need to earn to get the things you need.
27/4-2008  •  Jim, USA
@Fredrik: It would have been so easy for Vuitton to polish their image. They should have donated money for "Divest for Darfur" or contributed in another way and their image would have been brushed up extraordinarily easy. Their marketing department doesn't seem to be flexible enough to react properly or even feel the vibe. When they start to piss off people just because there is a law that says they can sue someone it is high time to become really stubborn and stand your ground. I think it helps.
27/4-2008  •  Jim, USA
Hey, John from the old USA. You gave me an idea. Tomorrow we will "officially" open the barbecue season. I've got an old Vuitton bag. Actually, it still belongs to my wife. But she's done with it since the strap-handles ripped. So, I got to use it as a tool bag. It wasn't very handy anyway and I'll burn it on the barbcue tomorrow. Hope there are lots of people around and it's not too toxic:-D
27/4-2008  •  Pedro, Mexico
@Paulo - It's not the same case. Unknown child from Darfur appears in her reality (the hard life) using no products, which definitely doesn't help her to boost her image and sell the reality. Hmm, let's try to change that: Unknown child from Darfur appears out of her reality (the hard life) using brand products, which definitely helps her to oust the brand image and spoil the show. It's still not the same case.
27/4-2008  •  Martin Lamberth, Denmark
@ Anders Hald, Sune Hansen and others. I agree with you that the handbag very much resembles a Louis Vuitton bag. I DISagree with you on everything else. Making an artistic representation of a portion of reality (even if that portion is copyrighted) is NOT a violation—it is free speech. Andy Warhol painted Campbell Soup cans, Don DeLillo linked Minute Maid orange juice with Agent Orange (in "Underworld"), Patrick Bateman loves him some Armani suits and so on and so on. Copyrighted products are part of reality, and artists have always represented reality. We have a RIGHT to represent reality artistically, ANY part of reality. Censorship is outlawed in most Western countries. Now if Nadia had tried to put A HANDBAG with the bag design from the T-shirt into production, you would have a point. As is, you don't!
27/4-2008  •  Fred, USA
Vuitton should ship their handbags to Darfur, in order for the refugees to carry their goods and chattels. Ouch. That hurts my brain. This is why this proposal has been cleared from the protocol of the last strategy meeting at Vuitton. There was no other proposal, which is why the lawyers took over.
27/4-2008  •  John, The Old USA
I have just sent out a email and Letter to Louis Vuitton showing my utter dismay of him saying that any products I do have of him ( not much) will now be utterly BURNED in my yard. I hope everything goes good keep up the good work.
26/4-2008  •  Brian, Denmark
Shame on you Louis Vuitton ... Keep Fighting .. And let the community help you .. every one reading this ..do this .. Link to this page with Louis Vuitton as the "click on text" that way this pages rank can be boosted in google already a search for "Louis Vuitton" gives 3 results in the top 10 abut this case... Lets make them feel it ..they are just like metallica .. and many others - ignorant fools that have no idea how to behave - and also that highly under estimate the power of the internet and the power and speed of which a community can grow
26/4-2008  •  paco fernández, spain
it´s not even a LV bag, is it!?? So why all that fuss???????????????
26/4-2008  •  Rod O. Justice, Planet Earth
@Anders Hall - "I can understand that LV are not happy. In this context their precious logo becomes the symbol of greed......" Too late. It has been the symbol of greed and excess for quite a few years now. How ironic and yet true to LV's corporate character that the same company that was a collaborator with the Nazis and their policies of genocide in the mid-20th century still have not grown the sense of character and ethics to stand on the correct side of a modern day genocide happening in Darfur today. And no, you are wrong that this will just go away in a few months for LV. It is well past time that they are exposed for the corporate criminals they are, past and present. They have done nothing but triggered their own downfall as many begin to organize to place the heat and the blame where it truly belongs. Right at the feet of a greedy corporate monolith who worship and hold above all else one thing. Money. So now we'll just see how much of their prized money can be taken from them. War is declared and we shall see how well LV's ill-gotten gains will fight against a determined and relentless foe. Decent human beings. I predict the winner is obvious and though it may take time, LV will be ground into the dust of a past and best forgotten age, as befitting their karma. @Winnie - No, Anders is no lawyer. I don't know any lawyers that can't even spell "lose" and "definitely" correctly.
26/4-2008  •  GW, USA
I have never heard of such a frivolous lawsuit. Should Andy Warhol have been sued for his Campbell Soup paintings??? Even if the bag exactly looks like a LV, you have a right to paint it. Should all painters who do portraits be expected to be royalties or usage rights to the manufactures of the clothing and accessories? Shame on you L.V. I wish you luck!
26/4-2008  •  Fredrik, Sweden
Dear Nadia, even if I support your cause, I don't see how trying to use this brand (which didn't ask for anything) in such a negative way can help it... You should have used a generic symbol instead of an actual brand. Good cause, but your stubbornness is not helping it...
26/4-2008  •  Nick, UK
Nice work on creating awarness of the attrocities going on in Darfur. Keep fighting the good fight!
26/4-2008  •  Robert, Sweden
Louis Vuitton should get BEHIND this, not try to stop it! This law suit of theirs will create more bad-will damages than they will ever be able to afford to repair.
26/4-2008  •  Ian, USA
Keep it up. You're doing great work, and you're clearly in the right. Don't let legal scare tactics work any longer.
26/4-2008  •  3xM, Denmark
This really calls for some internet activism - READ ON! Besides demanding $7,500 (5,000 Euro) for each day Nadia continues to sell Simple Life products, Louis Vuitton demands $7,500 for each day their letter is published on her website and $7,500 a day for using the name “Louis Vuitton” on her website. This is simply ridiculous. That's a direct attack on the freedom of speech. So here's what I encourage everybody to do: Help Nadia Plesner's website hijack the top Google result(s) for "louis vuitton". It's very simple to do, completely legal and takes only a few moments. On your blog, on your MySpace, on discussion boards and everywhere on the internet that you are able to publish anything, Write about the case and include a link to Nadia's website http://www.nadiaplesner.com/ - if possible, make "Loius Vuitton" part of the link text. Furthermore, it is important that you do NOT post a link to any Loius Vuitton website. Also, tell everybody to do the same. That way Nadia's website will skyrocket on Google (and other search engines), exposing this absurd case to everybody looking for Loius Vuitton on the internet.
26/4-2008  •  Jan Van Goethem, Australia
Beste Nadia, This is just an idea: get as many africans as you can and go to Antwerp at their exclusive store, on a busy Saturday afternoon. Don't protest, just get the crowd to be "black". That can't be difficult there. Leek the info in advance to the media, they'll love it. And the free publicity will be yours! Go girl!!!
26/4-2008  •  perry, usa
i hope lv wins
26/4-2008  •  Paulo, Brazil
Paris Hilton appears in her reality show (the simple life) using brand products, which definitely helps her to boost her image and sell the show. Isn't it the same case?
26/4-2008  •  Charles Clout, United Kingdom
It's lovely to see that Louis Vuitton regards a picture of a bag which is similar in design to theirs as more important than the genocide in Darfur. I hope that LV get all the negative press they deserve.
26/4-2008  •  Igor, Sweden
LV - a brand of shame.
26/4-2008  •  Achebe, Africa
DEATH TO LOUIS VUITTON AND ALL ITS EMPLOYEES
26/4-2008  •  PST, Denmark
In these times, where coorporate image is a big an important issues for international as well as national companys, I definetely do think it is very weird that the LVMH group refuses Nadia Plesner to produce her products. Agreeing to be a part of a campaing that creates awareness towards one of the most awful and worse issues going on in the world would lead to popularity...= brand awareness and brand recognition of Louis Vuitton (in this case)... I can npot see why LV decide to refuse Nadia to sell her products and i definetely cant see how focussing on a problem which includes torture can harm the company in any way... Dont fight against it, fight it!!!
26/4-2008  •  forian, usa
what a piece of shit, first he wanted to sue someone over the use of certain colours, now this, i hope he feels better for stopping a worth the while cause because his piece of shit "im better than you because i have a LV product" purses getting copied on canal street nyc and sold for 40 bucks look and feel the same.
26/4-2008  •  Sune Hansen, Denmark
I agree with Anders Hald. And the handbag looks very much like a Louis Vuitton handbag to me. I almost didnt notice any difference when I saw an original Louis Vuitton handbag compared to your drawing on TV the other day. Despite your good intentions you will and you SHOULD lose this fight, because it is clear to me that you are violating a trademark. You can not 'hide' behind your good intentions and expect to win.
26/4-2008  •  xdustinx, USA
I simply sent a message asking them why they support Genocide. I've never supported high fashion companies, I think the obsession people, rich or otherwise, have over them, but it's incredibly disgusting to think that one of them is more concerned about their own image and monetary welfare rather than those who are victims of atrocious circumstances. Nadia, I intend to purchase the poster and shirt on my next paycheck, as I completely side with your viewpoint.
26/4-2008  •  from big city, USA
No. She's preoccupied with her dogs and handbags :-]
26/4-2008  •  from small town america , usa
i wonder why Paris Hilton did't complain yet. maybe she's too dense, lol.
26/4-2008  •  Michael, Deutschland
Here's a french translation of the introductory text above. It might help to attract those who surf the web in french and offer their opinions. Louis Vuitton is based in Paris after all. And it makes a stronger impression if not just foreign nationals bash Louis Vuitton. Maybe a native french speaker could check it out if it makes any sense. It's just a brushed up version of a babelfish translation. LOUIS VUITTON VEUT QUE J'ARRÊTE MA CAMPAGNE DE DARFUR En octobre l'année dernière j'ai commencé ma campagne Simple Living pour soulever la conscience du génocide continu à Darfur et pour soulever l'argent pour l'organisation d'aide "Divest for Darfur". Février 13, 2008, j'ai reçu une lettre du bureau principal de Louis Vuitton à Paris, me demandant fermement de finir la campagne immédiatement, comme ils croient un de leurs produits est représenté dans l'objet d'art. Ils se réfèrent à mon site web comme "Exhibit 1". Cependant, je me lève pour que mon liberté artistique d'exprimer mon opinion comme je le vois sans restrictions n'importe qui. Avril 15, 2008, j'ai reçu une action judiciaire de Louis Vuitton. J'obtiens maintenant l'aide légale de trois avocats:
26/4-2008  •  Brian, USA
During WWII, the Louis Vuitton company collaborated with the Nazi regime in France: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/jun/03/france.secondworldwar Perhaps bringing this embarrassing fact up when the same company is showing antipathy to another genocide will encourage them to back down.
26/4-2008  •  Larry, USA
I never knew Louis Vuitton is trying to sell scumbags and douchebags next to handbags.
26/4-2008  •  Nigel, Canada
Snobs don't seem to realize they never could have risen to the opportunity to buy an Andy Warhol without them being obtuse to the issue. Errr, okay I contradicted myself.
26/4-2008  •  Michael, Deutschland
Kunst war schon immer als Reflektion der Realität gedacht. Dass es immer wieder mal Welche gibt, in diesem Fall Vuitton, die Partikulärinteressen vor öffentliche Angelegenheiten stellen ist nicht verwunderlich. Ich halte die Klage von Vuitton für absurd und hoffe, dass die Anwälte von Nadia den Mumm für eine grundlege Argumentation haben. Nadia, vielleicht kannst Du ja die website ins französische übersetzen lassen?
26/4-2008  •  Peter Grimes, London
Good stance. Keep it up, Nadia. It's the LVs of this world and their customers who let Darfur happen. They don't don't give a shit as long as their little world keeps turing. To throw a spanner in the works from time to time is the least we ought to do.
26/4-2008  •  Paw Hyrland, Denmark
The negative associations aspire from the reality. Does anyone wish themself free of negative associations, they should free themself of negative relations. LV f.ex. can brand themself as either supportive or oppressive in these matters and as a consequense of their actions, people will associate either positive or negative. It is not to late for LV to change their mind, but if they proced and succed in their will, they will thereby brand themself as oppressive. Allready now i sense a strong will against this brand as a result of this case and it may result in further campaigns by other artist and more intense and sharply directly against VL, becoming a symbol of these kind of cases. The picture on the T-shirt is ironic. The same irony can unfold even more sofisticated campaigns. Humor, allso, can be a part of LV`s saving, by recognizing the T-shirt as funny, combined with marking LV as supportive f.ex in the case of Darfur, by donating f.ex. $ 24030.76 . One World, One Love Paw Hyrland
26/4-2008  •  Ann0Y, UK
LOUIS VUITTON can go and suck some balls.Don't they have enough money already?
26/4-2008  •  Anders Hald, Denmark
@TheWeeJenny. Hi Jenny, no I am not a lawyer, I am a creator of copyrighted material and make a living from it. (No not handbags, though :-) In reading some of the comments below I am struck by the sentiment they seem to share (apart from a few more sober contributors) a great sympatthy for the 'small artist' against the 'big bad corporations'. All very nice, but not very clever. This case will cost Nadia a lot. My advice for her is simply to not get carried away by the majority of the comments on this site. She will get a lot of attention in the media now, but in three months no media will care, except to write that she lost the case flat out and will have to pay a fortune to LV...which will not help her, nor the victims in Darfur. I can understand that LV are not happy. In this context their precious logo becomes the symbol of greed and (implicitly) lack of sympathy for the victims in Darfur, why on earth would they let that pass??? That would be far worse PR for them than this case. It is not a case of 'coporations having more rights than individuals'...they have invested millions in building up a brand, which they are now making millions from. It is their legal right to protect their business. And they will. And Nadia will loose the case at great personal loss. Will she be a hero? Probably, will it make a difference for the victims in Darfur, probably not, for LV, definately not, for Nadia...most definately! I couldn't help but smile at the comment made by Emil Grip "Fuck Capitalism, PS I will buy a T-Shirt when I get money", he is either incredibly smart or not very. Emil, money is something you EARN so that you can BUY the things you WANT, like t-shirts...or handbags. Best regards, Anders
26/4-2008  •  TheWeeJenny, Canada
@Anders: I find it humorous that you advise her to seek legal counsel, considering the names of all three of her lawyers appear on the same page that comments are entered. How do you know that free speech doesn't apply here? Are you a lawyer? If you are, I'd reckon you aren't a good one, considering the woeful lack of reading comprehension you've just displayed. The artist is not "getting away" with anything, for no crime has been committed. Seriously, troll elsewhere. To the artist: I'm glad you're fighting this. LV is overstepping the bounds of sanity with this lawsuit, and it is my hope that it will backfire for them in a big way. I'm tired of corporations behaving as if they have more rights than individuals. It's nauseating. I wish you victory. :)
26/4-2008  •  Anders Hald, Denmark
Hi Nadia. Your cause is great and you have managed to create a great deal of attention, good for you and good for Dafur. But it is unwise to go to battle with a company like LV who relies so heavily on their logo for income. They will fight you to the end, and no doubt it will cost them in publicity, but I doubt their clientele will pay any attention to this, even if it's the case they have the money to bear the loss... I presume you will struggle to absorb the damages. There is no way you can win this battle and there is no way LV will let you get away with it. In a year or less, the demand for LV goods will be right back where it was and LV will have proven their point. Copyright protection is a the heart of a lot of companies' income and for them it is worth a little bad press. The question is whether it is worth it to you? I'd get a good lawyer and try to come to an arrangement with LV...quick, perhaps you can get them in on a deal where they contribute to your cause in exchange for a little good press? The freedom of speech angle doesn't really come into play here and using that line is a little desperate, frankly. I sincerely wish you all the best in this matter. Best regards, Anders
25/4-2008  •  Kate, USA
Just what all the stars that use their purses and support the Darfur cause. I hope Louis Vuitton enjoys a sharp decline in sales, along with a harsh public out lash.
25/4-2008  •  Tina, Greenland / Denmark
For anyone else with the same urge: https://wws.louisvuitton.com/web/html/yourquestions/contact.jsp?langue=en_GB&buy=1&
25/4-2008  •  Tina , Greenland / Denmark
I have just sent this to Louis Vuitton through their website mailsystem: "Perhaps you should consider your PR situation! You could have used the Nadia Plesner situation to your benefit by declaring that you were proud to produce your luxurious items and a the same time found it strange that these items were of greater public intereset than a humanitarian disaster. Benetton has made a name for themselves by not being afraid of controversial matters. What are you afraid of? Best regards" Pardon my french: LV is a sissy-brand!!!
25/4-2008  •  nomber, USA
People who pursue copyright infringement never realize how much they help the supposed infringer when they perpetrate meaningless lawsuits.
25/4-2008  •  Peter, Denmark
What happened to "Freedom of speech?"
25/4-2008  •  thomas, Denmark
Unbelievable that LV would rather choose bad PR than letting such a small (and imagined) "infringement" go unpunished. Instead of an Intellectual Property Director they should employ a couple of communication and PR advisors instead. Good luck with your cause - and rest assured that the web community worldwide will help you raise the money to fight LV if needed (but surely they can't be that stupid).
25/4-2008  •  Peter, Denmark
If adding the LV bag to the drawing in order to get more attention. I think it is genius:-) But don't hold it against LV to try to stop it. After all if they didn't your Darfur campaign would not have recieved as much attention. Great for Darfur!
25/4-2008  •  Torben, DK
I am ordering to support the case and you. You are having a good case: The web is well-suited for Davids vs Goliaths. Best regards and best of luck :-) /Torben
25/4-2008  •  Peter, Denmark
LV is not trying to stop your Darfur campaign. They just don't want you to misuse their Intellectual Property. It’s a great cause but why not attract attention to it without drawing LV into it? Please respect the rights of others. Freedom of expression does not give you the right to harass others. I'm sure you don't agree with the way tabloids operate as an example. You could have made an abstract representation of luxury goods without infringing LV. Maybe you didn't think of how it impacted LV, perhaps you wanted the attention or maybe you deliberately wanted to give LV bad publicity? I wonder about the rationale behind your choice of depicting an LV bag instead of an abstract representation of luxury goods?
25/4-2008  •  Ryan, USA
There is a never ending supply to these idiot companys.. cause guess whats gonna happen now.. This is all going to be spinned as: LV promotes genocide! Tell your friends. :)
25/4-2008  •  Jakob, Denmark
Well done Nadia! And to Louis Vuitton: Do you think your bags are some kind of religious symbol? If so, you should be more worried about the people who is buying them. I think this is the first time your product is actually being used for something good - you should be glad!
25/4-2008  •  Michael, Denmark
Im just so happy never had purchased any Voitton merchandize and am sure never to do so. fully support you!!
25/4-2008  •  Milla, Denmark
Dette afspejler meget godt den verden vi lever i..
25/4-2008  •  Eva, England
Keep up the good work! Keep keeping the press and your supporters informed - the more publicity the better for your cause, for Darfur, and the worse for LV who'll only end up looking like money is their only concern. They should be proud to be associated with you, and, if they had any spine, wholeheartedly support your campaign. I'll be ordering t-shirts for my family - hope you can keep up with demands! Love and support.
25/4-2008  •  Peter Packroff, Denmark
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12685622005
25/4-2008  •  Martin, Denmark
Louis Vuitton must die.
25/4-2008  •  Peter, Denmark
Keep on trucking. Art wants to be free!
25/4-2008  •  ulla tøndevold, danmark
Dear Nadia, WOW! The big "looser"in this astonishing case will be LV. If they were smart they would cooperate with you and get credit for taking their responsibility to try to make a difference. Now they will be still more synonymous with the superficious and cruel worshipping of Mammon. I will buy T-shirts for my whole family. And some friends too. GOOD LUCK and all the best to you!
25/4-2008  •  Morten Kjærgaard, Denmark
Go beat them. Although I favour luxury items, LV has lost big time by their step against you
25/4-2008  •  LV never again, Denmark
This must be a PR nightmare for LV. I hope they rot in hell. The artwork shows the ever more present double standards in the modern consumer world. Where is the passion, where is the compassion about Darfur, wish they could show the same engagement in social responsibilities as they to in protected their brand. LV could have turned this to the best PR in world...
25/4-2008  •  Malene Kyed, Denmark
Go girl!
25/4-2008  •  jesper, DK
I will propose a support t-shirt for the benefit of your legal campaign. It could be the good old: Ca ces't pas une... , with your drawing of the luxury bag besides it. This to underline that it is not the actual bag, but merely an artistic representation. I give you the idea and my full sympathy for the cause.
25/4-2008  •  Arash, Denmark
Keep the spirit high and best of wishes for your excellent cause. This is an other obvious example of multinational heartless corporations like Louis Vuitton that don’t seem to feel any moral responsibility for the atrocities that are committed across the world and purely are interested in selling their crap products. I hope this case will make people abandon this pompous brand all together. Keep the spirit high and best of wishes for your excellent cause.
25/4-2008  •  Kirsten, DK
Sikke en reklame de får ...Louis Vuitton’s ... Jeg bestiller en t-shirt med det samme ...
25/4-2008  •  Mette, Denmark
Kære Nadia. FLOT FLOT arbejde! Jeg foreslår du sætter prisen på T-shirten gevaldigt op, for den vil da blive meget eftertraktet nu. Både som støtte til dig og din mission, men også for at skrabe flere penge ind til Dafur og evt. retssag. Luis Vuiton.... Hvor lavt kan man synke??? Det kan da godt være det ligner en krænkelse af ophavsretten....OG....??? Taber LV noget? Nej, tværtimod, de burde være stolte.
25/4-2008  •  Mikael Kyster, Denmark
Hej Nadia! Dit mål er langt større end alle brands tilsammen. Her har du en støtte til! Mange hilsner fra Mikael Kyster
25/4-2008  •  Henrik, Denmark
Keep up the good spirit!!!
25/4-2008  •  Anne-Sophie , Denmark
Fin t-shirt. Håber LV indser at deres krav er pinligt.
25/4-2008  •  , Denmark
To my mind, this is an open-and-shut case FOR you. Of course, artists are allowed to represent reality in their work — including the copyrighted/trademarked portions hereof. Think what it would do to art if one could no longer write a novel in which people drink Coca Cola, shoot films where people drive Ford cars, or own Louis Vuitton bags. This may not seems like much of an artistic disaster, but the fact is that these copyrighted products are part of the reality we all live in. If we relent on the right to artistically represent that reality, we are in essence stimying future artistic endeavours. To give but one example, Brett Easton Ellis' novel "American Psycho" essentially is about a psychopathic killer who has an obsession with the slick surfaces of designer clothes (Armani suits are mentioned a lot). I imagine that Armani would not be flattered to have their product directly linked with a Patrick Bateman-like psychology, but it is essential that artists have the RIGHT to not care what the corporate lawyers say. I therefore urge you to stand your ground as long as your personal financial situation possibly allows, and refrain from striking a deal with the Vuitton lawyers unless you absolutely have to. Such a deal would unfortunately set the precedent that suing to limit artistic freedom is a feasible path for major corporations. What Louis Vuitton is doing is tantamount to attempting to reintroduce censorship through the "backdoor" of Copyright law. This should be combatted. Louis Vuitton deserve the publication of a million artworks detailing how a nefarious company by the name of Vouis Luitton is trying to undermine basic freedom of expression. To paraphrase George Orwell: "If you want a picture of the future, imagine a [LV, or insert choice of major corporate brand] stomping on a human face — forever!!" My deepest respect for TRYING to counter that development!
25/4-2008  •  Puh, Danmark
Hej bedste ven! Jeg er meget stolt af din ukuelige optimisme og evnen til at kæmpe for noget så vigtigt på trods af trusler og uforstående kritik. Du er den sejeste. Jeg er bag dig hele vejen! Møs
25/4-2008  •  Bo, Denmark
Rigtig god pointe du har. Hold fast - du har allerede vundet og du kommer også til at vinde en eventuel retssag. Vil straks købe en t-shirt.
25/4-2008  •  Claus Knudsen, Hayward, California, USA
Nadia, you nailed it! Very good. Keep up the good work. Louis Vuitton should give you full support and publicly announce they will give a share to Dafur each and every time they sell one of their expensive shopping bags! PS I hope you are able to send a couple of Tee- shirts to USA. PPS I use the poster as desktop background on my PC
25/4-2008  •  don carlos, España.
Godt gået, søster. Selvfølgelig klarer du dig. Holder øje med udviklingen
25/4-2008  •  hhj, The world
Well done Nadia. We are behind you! Luis Vuitton go f... yourself!
25/4-2008  •  , Denmark
Flot budskab! Du skal dog møde en ræverød dommer i sø og handelsretten, hvis du skal vinde sagen, hvis der bliver en. Det er en klar krænkelse af ophavsretten.
25/4-2008  •  emil grip, Denmark
det er en sørgelig verden vi lever i! jeg er facineret over din vilje for at nå dit mål, og støtter dig 100%!!!! FUCK KAPITALISMEN!!! ps, bestiller din tee når jeg får penge xD
25/4-2008  •  Shafiq Farsad, Danmark
keep it up sister! We are strongly stand by you. Jeg er utrolig stolt af dig.. best regards Shafiq
25/4-2008  •  Maria, Denmark
First of all I would like to give you my full support on the campaign! I heard about your project through Facebook and I really think you're making a very important point here and your artwork looks amazing! Ordered a t-shirt right away :) I really hope you're going to win the battle against Louis Vuitton. I own several bags from the brand myself and have chosen them instead of cheaper ones because of their amazing quality, but I must admit I don't wish to purchase anymore after hearing about this. If the people at LV had been really clever they would've seen this as a chance to do some mean marketing for themselves and their company by supporting your campaign, maybe donating some money and thereby boosting their image as a company "that cares" (plus it would probably have helped you fantastic campaign to have such a big name supporting you). Instead they seem even more greedy and soulless then before! Keep up the good work and keep on fighting for those who are more unfortunate then us!
25/4-2008  •  Nasim Alaviani, Denmark
Du kunne ikke beskrive vores grusomme verden bedre!!!!!!!!!! 100 % støttelse herfra! Held og lykke!
25/4-2008  •  Jacob, Denmark
Hej Nadia... du skal bare vide, at jeg støtter dig FULDT UD, i kampen for rettighed til ytringsfrihed. Jeg håber du vinder retsagen (hvis der bliver én) - og fortsætter med din støtte til Afrika!!!
25/4-2008  •  Thomas, Denmark
Held og lykke i kampen for retfærdighed!
25/4-2008  •  Saibot, Denmark
Hi! First of all - it's an amazing campaign you made. I love adbusting, and counter- branding - so good luck in the fight against Louis Vuitton. Unfortunately it it´s a growing tendency, that big companies and brands defend their trademarks as if it was a natural ressource. As an example, the Deutsche Telekom is after everyone using the color "magenta"(pink)... I hope you stand up against those bastards at L.V. Best wishes :-)
25/4-2008  •  Mogens Skjold, Denmark
Good luck with everything - I can't believe Louis Vuitton are being so petty and stupid about the whole thing, but this is typical of big business. They had a chance to embrace this thing, but instead they are hurting themselves.
25/4-2008  •  Anne-Sophie, Denmark
I support Nadia 100%. Good luck, hope you win!!!
25/4-2008  •  ,
) L
25/4-2008  •  Christoffer, Denmark
Den sad lige i øjet i går aftes, da du fremstillede det groteske i, at nyhederne i DK intensivt dækkede, om frk. Hilton nu skulle i fængsel eller ej, samtidig med, at Darfur-katastrofen nærmest blev ignoreret! Nyheder bliver til underholdning, og humanitære katastrofer glemmes. Paris Hilton kan vi åbenbart godt forholde os til, men mennesker der sulter - nej det er for kompliceret! Keep up the spirit!
25/4-2008  •  Jasmina Sisic, Denmark
I do not believe that this campaign can harm Louis Vuitton in any way possible. Because this campaign does not say that you are a bad person because you buy expensive bags or have a chihuahua dog. This campaign says that why spend so much time putting these famous people in the media, and make them noticed? when there is so much suffering in the world that needs the notice. And these people who are suffering needs our help! And if they can get some help by supporting this campaign then why the hell not??
25/4-2008  •  Angie, Bulgaria
I would like to reply to Justcause from the NL. Theoretically you are right. But, if you take a closer look to Nadia's reply to LV letter, you would see that she stands for not having used the brand LV in any way. Now, she could probably take another approach- instead of telling them "no", maybe inviting them to work out something together. LV might have seen then a more profitable situation for them, supporting Nadia and selling more of their bags, and give some percentage of the income to the cause. As far as I support Nadia in her noble cause, I am realistic that she might loose, and no matter how much t-shirts we might buy, it wont be enough to save her cause. And after all, you get what you give. If you are good, you should be good with everybody.
24/4-2008  •  Peter Packroff, The World
Hi all! I have now setup a support group on Facebook! Please join!!! The group is named "Louis Vuitton vs. Darfur" http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12685622005 All best of luck! Everyone should post that biaaatch from Louis Vuitton and tell her what a cow she is!
24/4-2008  •  Sofie, Denmark
FUCK LOUIS VUITTON, som om de ikke har penge nok mand, hvis folk ikke fatter de budskab med denne shirt eller poster er de godt nok for dumme. godt nok kan LV designe nogle fede tasker, men støtter helt klart hellere dit end deres upersonlige lort. De må eddermaeme være dumme dem om arbejder ved LV. Godt DANMARK har en som dig. NU kan jeg endnu en gang være stolt af at være DANSKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
24/4-2008  •  , Denmark
I just read Sofie Freilev's comment, and i'm really surprised that a person can say stuff like thats. I could like to use the bad words but what she wrote was plain "the word that starts with bull and ends on shit"!! Her comment really upset me - but you know that we are thousands of people who thinks whats you've done is great! I think the t-shirt and the poster are two brilliant ways of getting attention towards Dafur. Good luck!
24/4-2008  •  Anette Øster, Danmark
Hold modet oppe.... Jeg glæder mig til at tage t-shirten på, så jeg kan støtte din gode kampagne og vise dig min sympati.
24/4-2008  •  Klaus Ankerstjerne Eriksen, Denmark
Keep on fighting for your rights and for your Darfur campagn. I have linked to your site on www.aigis.dk
24/4-2008  •  inge, dk
Godt gået, og alle de bedste håb for retssagen. Verdens absurditeter kan ikke blive slået fast tit nok!! De tre rigeste mennesker i verden ejer lige så meget som den fattigste tiendedel af verdens befolkning. Så ER der sgu' da noget galt!!
24/4-2008  •  menekse demirtas, denmark
well done nadia -- we need more people who can express the tragic absurdities in the world through meaningful art that calls for a serious revision of what's truly import and what's not.
24/4-2008  •  Sigrid Dekker, The Netherlands
That a girl, Nadia! It's really too ridiculous, this whole LV business. Well, it got my attention anyway, I ordered my t-shirt right away - as I bet did lots of others. You think maybe there's a chance LV knew that would happen? And created this whole fuss to advance your campaign? Naaah, that is just too good to be true. The world might not have a Darfur if companies like LV were humane enough to dream that up... Keep going Nadia, you got my vote.
24/4-2008  •  SusanneJespersen, dk
Nice - keep going! I want to buy the poster, but can´t find a shop? Please contact me: susjes@gmail.com
24/4-2008  •  chris10an, DK
Right on Nachos...
24/4-2008  •  Jo-Anne, Global Gypsy
Great Artistic Statement with a true cause. Go for it girl!!
24/4-2008  •  René Sørensen, Danmark
Respekt, Respekt! Jeg tilslutter mig fuldt ud holdningen om, at det er fedt, du ikke bukker under, men holder fast i din kunstneriske frihed til at udtrykke dit syn på verden. Udover dit prisværdige engagement i Dafur og andre problemfyldte forhold vil jeg bare sige, at jeg synes, du laver mange spændende ting, som rummer megen kunstnerisk kvalitet og stof til eftertanke!
24/4-2008  •  Justcause, The Netherlands
I do not agree with your point of view in this matter. LV does not have anything to do with the situation in Darfur. Therefore there is no justification at all to use their (indeed ugly) designer bag in your campaign. The use of their trademark has no doubt a detrimental affect on their reputation. They have invested a lot of money in building up their company and brandname. If you are of the opinion (substantiated with arguments) that they have anything to do with the situation in Darfur, freedom of expresiion allows you to express that. However, in this case the only reason why you use their trademark is that this would attract more attention to your campaign. As I said, in my opinion this is not justification for using their trademark in such a detrimental way. I had hoped that people would not base their opinion on their "hate" for Paris Hilton and her little doggie..
24/4-2008  •  Lene Jakobsen, Sweden
I hope you win this one!
24/4-2008  •  Christina, Denmark
It is so sad that the greed for money overrules the quest for a descent life for all humans in the world. If you take a look on the original multicolore bag you will notice that the pattern is very different from the bag that nadia has pictured on her t-shirt.This is also a issue about moral. What have Louis Vuitton done to give people in Africa and Asia a better life?
24/4-2008  •  Rasmus Rasmussen, DK / USA
Good to see that you're sticking up for your art against these bullies. I hope you walk away from this as the world famous artist who shamed these bastards. What you're doing is nothing but good; good intentions, good cause, good painting. Keep it up!
24/4-2008  •  Sofie Freilev, Denmark
And I apologize for all the weird Danes who have not yet figured out, that You are not a Dane as well.
24/4-2008  •  Sofie Freilev, Denmark
I wish that You could see the perspective of this situation Nadia. Some day, when You produce some object or get an image that You will become famous for and earn money of, You would want people to respect Your trademark and rights to Your proporty and not use it as they please. You could have at least asked LV if they would support Your use of their product, before using it. (doubtfull that they would due to the fact that their image is being defined as something negative). This is just plain lack of respect for other people's proporty and rights - legally, as an artist - You should be able to see that Yourself, - eventhough I personally find Your campaign great and that is for a great cause which we can all get behind.
23/4-2008  •  Jesper, Denmark
Hope you win this battle. Darfur is getting no attention at all in the news. We are more concerned about how tomorrows weather is gonna be than the fact that hundreds of thousands of people in Darfur are experiencing a tragedy beyond imagination. All the best!
23/4-2008  •  Steffen Andréa, Denmark
Fuld støtte herfra !!! godt du ikke bare "bukker under" !!! jeg håber dog du passer på dig selv, så det ikk er dig vi skal samle penge ind til ;o) Pas på dig selv !!
23/4-2008  •  Erik Bjørn, Denmark
Dear Nadia Your effort to support the tragedy in Darfur is a great task, and I wish you luck in your effort. Thank you for any work you do. But if it comes to breaking our society's internal rules, including copyright, it is not doing you any good. Reading the LV letter you have posted, and your own reply, shows me 2 things: 1. LV is handling this very profesionally and diligently 2. You are handling this by looking only at yourself and your own ideological belief If everyone in our society invented themes for which they could claim to break any rule, we would have anarchy. Neverhteless, you will likely have many supportes who always flock around anyone who looks like the "small person" against the "big multinational". But are you right to copy a trademark in your effort? No.
23/4-2008  •  Glenn, Denmark
Perfekt eksempel hvor ulækkert et firma Louis Vuitton er
23/4-2008  •  ,
I bought a t-shirt too, a very original and cool way to raise awareness. You've got my support!
23/4-2008  •  qar fati, belgium
I'm 100 % on your side. I want this t-shirt too. It was a good idea. fati How can I have buy this t-shirt ? fati_qaram@hotmail.com
23/4-2008  •  ,
Hvor er det en fed måde at bringe budskabet ud på. Og få os til at sætte tingene i perspektiv og studse lidt over, hvad der er vigtigst- Ophavsret eller humanitær katastrofe. Rigtig mange gange held og lykke med kampagnen
23/4-2008  •  Hasse, Denmark
This is such a noble cause! And imagine the negative publicity LV is getting now - what a bummer! :-D You go girl! Keep up the great work, and fight LV back! I imagine that somebody in their evil corporation eventually will make a cost/benefit analysis, that tells them that they can not affort to fight the victims of Dafur like this? I hope people will start boycotting them! No matter how this is ending, you have already won a great victory by setting focus on Dafur in the media! :) By the way - I would love a T-shirt, but I cann't squeeze myself into a large ... is there any chance that you would consider making them in XL and XXL? :-/ By the way - If LV is successfull in stopping you, please consider making your design public for download ... in that way thousands of bloggers can keep on spreading the word, and LV will be unable to stop it! (you won't be able to get money to dafur, but at least LV must learn to be more thoughtfull next time.) If you let your design go free, everybody can make t-shirts on print-on-demand sites like cafepress.com :)
23/4-2008  •  Tony, NL
Keep up the good work. And give them hell !
23/4-2008  •  Maria Nielsdottir, Uk
Fantastic initiative. I've ordered the t-shirt and I will be passing on the word. Keep up the good work :-)
23/4-2008  •  Kristian Beyer, DK
Respekt for kunsten der kæmper for sin ret. Har postet din historie på min blog så håber jeg den kommer ud i verden:-) http://www.innovationpartners.dk/
23/4-2008  •  S. Teramoto, Japan
Congratulations on attracting publicity :-) to a cause which needs it. It was on Netwerk's W3 site that I read about it. When I looked at the JPEG of your poster on my screen, I saw what resembles the famous YSL monogram. Did you contact Yves Saint Laurent's company (www.ysl.com) about LVMH apparently thinking they have the rights to the YSL name? The kind of trouble you have is something I read about now and then. You have over-zealous intellectual property (IP) people fresh from law school at many IP departments; this is not surprising given how IP is trampled on in certain countries by pirates :-(. Hopefully the YSL people see what you are trying to achieve -- and have a sense of humour ;-) -- unlike the IP person at LVMH you came across. In the meantime, contact the media, especially in your home country, if you have not managed to already. Maybe then the BBC etc. would pick up on the publicity. Your cause deserves it. Wishing you and your campaign the best of luck, -- S. Teramoto.
23/4-2008  •  Jamilla, Denmark
Rigtig flot kampagne!
23/4-2008  •  Lise , DK
Bestilte en t-shirt, straks jeg læste om dit projekt på pol.dk - lad ikke LV få dig ned med nakken! :-)
23/4-2008  •  Morten Hartz Kaplers, Denmark
Hilarious! Louis Vuitton against modern art and the victims of Dafur!
23/4-2008  •  Johannes Björkman, Denmark
På forsiden af politiken.dk! 100% støtte herfra! Men pas på dig selv...
23/4-2008  •  Runar, Iceland/Denmark
Bravo, i ordered my share. Good project.
23/4-2008  •  Casper, DK
Den t-shirt er lige i øjet! Respekt.
23/4-2008  •  Karoline, Denmark
Kæmp for din ret til at udtrykke dig! Thumps up!
23/4-2008  •  Johan Eklund, Denmark
Genial sammensætning af symboler!
23/4-2008  •  Hans Bousie, Netherlands
Dear Nadia, Please feel free to contact me. I am an IP-lawyer and would be glad to try to help you out. No charge of course. Consider it my contribution to you and therewith to the victims of Darfur. Best regards, Hans Bousie
23/4-2008  •  ann van v., netherlands
nadia, go for the rights off freedom in art and design. kort geleden was ik in een museum en zag een oude prent uit rusland die mij deed denken aan de print van louis F dacht oh die hebben daar naar gekeken . wie heeft wie en wie inspireerd wie. wij kijken allemaal. en laat die LF nu niet denken dat zij het wiel hebben uitgevonden. dat dit marktgerichte beursgenoteerde merk jou wil doen stoppen is een zielig gebaar . maar bedenk wel dat jij nu veel publiciteit hebt door dit ongemak maar laat het je niet beheersen misschien moet je ze confronteren met het feit dat zij ook ergens door geinspireerd zijn. ooit .............. ook doorgaan met creeren en maak van de nood een deugd.
23/4-2008  •  Geert Smit, Nederland
LV could have benefitted through the connection of their brand to social awareness by supporting your campaign for Darfur Now, by their childish protest they get exactly the kind of attention they are trying to avoid: LV is interested in the wealthy and not in the needy. If only they had employed someone smart at marketing. Good luck with your campaign! keep up the good work
23/4-2008  •  ineke, Holland
Go girl! Your drawing is an eye-opener Well done
23/4-2008  •  Wim, Holland
I like your action very much. Go on as long as possible!
23/4-2008  •  Rasmus, Denmark
You're doing a really good job there. Keep on going!
14/3-2008  •  Brittany M Rose, USA
I support you 100%. You are in no way violating their rights and they should stop trying to take yours!
9/3-2008  •  Rikke de Neergaard, Denmark
Keep going! You're doing a great job. And you have a very good pointe. Perhaps they should buy your silence by sending some million dollers to Dafur??? Keep up your buissness you're doing fine! Greetings from Rikke
2/3-2008  •  Ann-Sofi Olsen, Denmark
Well, isn't that just typical! They, of course, have an intellectual property rights person in the company but I doubt they have a "Corporate Social Responsibility" spokesperson! I'm glad Nadia is continuing her campaign, which is really great - raising awareness of an elsewise "neglected" tragedy!