Court fast-tracks Victoria’s Secret PINK brand clash with London shirtmaker
Lingerie giant Victoria’s Secret has secured a fast-tracked trial in the High Court in London in October to determine whether a London-based shirtmaker breached a legal contract with the lingerie seller over its ‘PINK’ trademark. The case stems from a High Court settlement between the two retail firms in 2015, in which the court ruled [...]
In October, the High Court in London will fast-track a trial to ascertain if London-based shirtmaker Thomas Pink breached a legal agreement with lingerie giant Victoria’s Secret over the ‘PINK’ trademark. The dispute stems from a 2015 settlement, in which Victoria’s Secret admitted to infringing Thomas Pink’s UK and European trademark registrations by using the name 'PINK'.
The ruling stipulated that Victoria’s Secret could object if Thomas Pink used ‘PINK’ outside of its men's shirts and suits. However, in 2026, Thomas Pink launched a line of women's T-shirts, leggings, sweatshirts, and tracksuit bottoms adorned with a ‘PINK’ logo, which Victoria’s Secret deemed a significant shift away from its conventional men's wear.
The retailer accused Thomas Pink of failing to notify them of this plan, a breach of their consent given under the assumption that Thomas Pink would adhere to their usual style. Victoria’s Secret discovered the products on August 13th, 2026, and filed the complaint a month later. Victoria’s Secret has requested a temporary court order to halt Thomas Pink’s sales of the allegedly infringing products as the case progresses.
When the trademark dispute was first brought to court in 2014, Thomas Pink claimed that Victoria’s Secret's association with lingerie would tarnish its reputation as a luxurious, high-brow menswear brand. The judge agreed, stating that due to Victoria’s Secret’s business aiming for a "sexy, mass market appeal," the trademark link would cause consumers to associate the two, thus changing the economic behavior of their customers and reducing Thomas Pink's luxurious reputation. Victoria’s Secret and Thomas Pink have been asked for a statement.
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