Hong Kong designer sues Prada for US$5 million over abandoned Rolls-Royce project
A Hong Kong-based Belgian designer is taking fashion powerhouse Prada to court, claiming at least US$5 million in damages for the alleged repudiation of a partnership agreement to redesign a series of Rolls-Royce cars for exhibitions and events worldwide. In a High Court lawsuit filed on Thursday, Jonathan Riss accused the Italian brand of breaching various written and verbal agreements to…
A Belgian designer, Jonathan Riss, is suing luxury fashion brand Prada for up to US$5 million over an abandoned partnership to redesign Rolls-Royce cars for global exhibitions and events. The lawsuit was filed at the High Court on Thursday, with Prada Chairman Patrizio Bertelli, his wife Miuccia Prada, and their son Lorenzo Bertelli also named as defendants.
Riss, the founder of luxury fashion brand Jay Ahr, claims Prada unilaterally abandoned the project for accountability reasons. The designer, who had worked on Prada's Galleria and Nylon bags in February 2024, was initially engaged to transform the brand's signature products and collaborate on a "Prada Strada" initiative. The plan involved Prada showcasing 10 Rolls-Royce Corniche cars, redesigned by Riss, in automotive exhibitions and rallies.
Prada allegedly encouraged Riss to develop the project until March 2024, signing a memorandum setting out deadlines and compensation. However, the fashion house never finalized the paperwork, and Riss was instead told in February that the project had been "paused" due to accountability concerns. Prada's legal team denies any wrongdoing, characterizing the collaboration as merely preliminary discussions and threatening legal action against Riss for commercializing the "Prada Strada" concept without his involvement.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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