Kenzo and Kenz Beauty are two distinct brands that have recently found themselves in a legal dispute. Kenzo, a French luxury fashion house, was founded in 1970 by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada and is owned by the parent company LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy). The brand is known for its clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as its fragrances under the name Kenzo Parfums.
On the other hand, Kenz Beauty is a small skincare business based on the Gold Coast, founded by Rim Daghmash, a Moroccan-Australian mum. The brand specializes in skin and hair care products, as well as Moroccan exfoliating gloves.
The legal battle between the two companies began when Kenzo accused Kenz Beauty of having a "deceptively similar" name and demanded an immediate change. Rim Daghmash, who named her business after her autistic daughter Kenzie, claims that the two brands are different enough to coexist without confusion.
She points out that their logos, products, and target markets are distinct from one another. However, Kenzo argues that they are protecting their brand and products to avoid any risk of confusion with third-party brands.
Daghmash has stated that she cannot afford to take on LVMH in a legal fight and has instead requested mediation with the company. Unfortunately, she has not received a response to her offer. The situation has been described as a classic case of a large corporation bullying a small business, as Kenz Beauty is a family-owned startup that poses no threat to the global luxury powerhouse LVMH.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, both Kenzo and Kenz Beauty continue to operate in their respective industries. Kenzo remains a prominent player in the world of luxury fashion and fragrances, while Kenz Beauty strives to promote autism awareness and support through its skincare products.
