Dive Brief:
- Staff International is suing Dsquared2 Trademarks Limited after the fashion brand prematurely ended its licensing arrangement with the OTB-owned manufacturing and distribution company, according to a statement sent to Fashion Dive.
- Dsquared2 Group announced “the immediate termination of its licensing agreement” with Staff International in a statement posted to LinkedIn on Saturday. The luxury label said it would take direct control over its ready-to-wear production and distribution beginning with its pre-collection spring-summer 2026 sales campaign.
- In an attempt to block the move, Staff International said it filed a lawsuit Thursday in the Court of Milan “to assert its right to the full performance of the current license agreement, with all consequent measures,” per the statement.
Dive Insight:
The first licensing agreement between Staff International and Dsquared2 was inked in the early 2000s. It was later renewed in 2010 and was set to expire in 2027.
In its Saturday statement, Dsquared2 expressed “its sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed to this collaboration,” and said it “looks forward to fostering continued partnerships in the future.”
However, Staff International said it disputes the contract dissolution and has indicated its intent to see the original contract through. The lawsuit is against Dsquared2 Trademarks Limited, holding company Grascoe Holdings Limited and designers Dean and Dan Caten.
“Staff International reiterates its conviction that the license agreement is fully effective and confirms its intention to fully execute it until its natural expiry,” the company said in its statement. “Therefore, the company firmly rejects any possibility of early termination of the contractual relationship, and believes that legal conditions for early termination do not exist.”
Staff International added that it “will continue to act with the utmost transparency and determination to protect its rights, honour its contractual commitments and safeguard its reputation, and reserves the right to take any further action.”
Italy-based Dsquared2 was launched in 1995 by identical twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten in 1995, and celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this year. The privately-owned label is known for its edgy fashion and celebrity fans including Madonna.
Staff International was founded in 1976 and serves as the production and logistics hub of the OTB Group, per its website.
