Louis Vuitton Brand Calls Out Rick Ross for Fake Shades

by **Illuminated One** Tue May 12, 2009 12:01 pm

Fresh off a drawn out “battle” with 50 Cent and celebrating his latest #1 album, Rick Ross now finds himself embroiled in another celebrity “beef.”

This time, the Miami emcee has drawn the ire of the prestigious fashion company Louis Vuitton, who launched a public letter to Rick Ross and XXL concerning the magazine’s May 2009 cover.

The issue features Ross in what a company manufacturer and spokesman derided as fake Louis Vuitton shades.

“We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks,” stated Louis Vuitton Malletier Michael D. Pantalony. “Because the photo has generated considerable confusion among your readers and Louis Vuitton customers among others, we feel it is important to clarify several points.”

Louis Vuitton has made a concerted effort to cut down on the mass counterfeiting on their products.

Along with confining the majority of their products to small, personalized boutiques, the company is aggressive in exposing counterfeit marketing in all forms of media.

“The first is that the sunglasses Mr. Ross is wearing were not made by Louis Vuitton, and in fact, are counterfeit,” Pantalony clarified. “Louis Vuitton did not grant permission to Mr. Ross or to whoever did make the sunglasses to use our trademarks. The second is that no affiliation, sponsorship or association exists between Rick Ross or XXL and Louis Vuitton. The third is that counterfeiting is illegal.”

Since Hip-Hop culture’s inception, Louis Vuitton has consistently over generations remained a popular brand, being worn and name-checked by Grandmaster Flash, the Fat Boys, Big Daddy Kane, Diddy, and Kanye West.

Last year, Pharrell Williams served a sponsor for Vuitton’s extravagant Blason jewelry line.

At press time, Rick Ross could not be reached for comment.

SOURCE: http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2009/05/11/21550234.aspx

by **Illuminated One** Tue May 12, 2009 12:03 pm

UPDATE:

Florida rap star Rick Ross is hitting back at reports that the Louis Vuitton’s claims that the sunglasses he wore on the cover were fake by producing the designer.

According to Ross, the sunglasses worn on the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine were customized with solid gold accents by Jacob Bernstein, AKA “The Sunglasses Pimp.”

"It’s the same thing as buying a Rolls Royce and having it tricked out; just because the product has been customized by me doesn’t take away from the fact that the frames are authentic Louis Vuitton Millionaires," Bernstein told AllHipHop.com.

Ross appears on the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine wearing a pair of Louis Vuitton - like frames.

Controversy erupted yesterday (May 11), when a representative for Louis Vuitton issued a statement disassociating itself with XXL Magazine and Rick Ross over the glasses.

“We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks,” stated Louis Vuitton Malletier Michael D. Pantalony. “Because the photo has generated considerable confusion among your readers and Louis Vuitton customers among others, we feel it is important to clarify several points.”

“The first is that the sunglasses Mr. Ross is wearing were not made by Louis Vuitton, and in fact, are counterfeit,” Pantalony clarified. “Louis Vuitton did not grant permission to Mr. Ross or to whoever did make the sunglasses to use our trademarks. The second is that no affiliation, sponsorship or association exists between Rick Ross or XXL and Louis Vuitton. The third is that counterfeiting is illegal.”

Bernstein, who was responsible for Ross’ customized shades, is well known in the world of fashion via his Los Angeles - based business, Jack’s Eyewear.

Bernstein has customized sunglasses for a number of actors and entertainers, including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Sharon Stone, Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Brad Pitt, Usher and numerous others.

SOURCE: http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2009/05/12/21551585.aspx