Photo: J.Crew

Tony Duquette used to design costumes for MGM musicals before he started his own design firm. Eventually, he worked on fine jewelry for Tom Ford when Ford was at Gucci, but in between he decided he really, really liked leopard print. In the 50s he used it on everything—pillows, walls, clothes and furniture—and it became a sort of signature. So when J.Crew issued this season’s leopard print cardigan (there’s always a slight variation on the same thing) they named it for the late Duquette. Well Duquette Inc. still exists. It’s run by the designer’s business partner, Hutton Wilkinson, and Wilkinson’s just sued J.Crew for using its trademark without permission. They’re going after injunctive relief, damages and attorneys’ fees—J.Crew’s yet to comment. J.Crew was probably trying to pay tribute to the late designer, like naming a ballet flat the Audrey, but their tribute’s about to land them in court. Is this nuts? Or do you think Duquette Inc. stands a chance?