Oh, patents! Azzedine Alaïa [1935-2017] Le Coeur pumps (3)

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The Azzedine Alaïa Le Coeur (heart), kitten-heel, slingback pumps collection, with transparent sides, and a heart-shaped toe box, is also patented.  The US design patent, USD1040490S1, titled Shoe, was awarded to Tiziana Capraro, on September 3rd, 2024, and assigned to Azzedine Alaïa, SAS. 

Below, the patent Figure 1.6, showing a top view of the heart-shaped toe-box,  together with sample marketed embodiments of the design. A Coeur toe box design, whose scope extends to stiletto and mule versions, in a variety of materials and colors.  

As reminder, a US design patent covers the ornamental aspects of an invention, or the way the invention looks. In contrast, a US utility patent covers the way an invention works, and/or is manufactured. 

 

References
Azzedine Alaïa (website)
https://www.maison-alaia.com/us/

USPTO MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent.
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

Oh, desires! Azzedine Alaïa (1935-2017) Le Coeur Bag (2)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Below, a mosaic comprising various embodiments of the Azzedine Alaïa Le Coeur (heart) bag. Launched in Winter 2022 and patented in 2024, Le Coeur crossbody bag comes in a single size, and in a variety colors and materials (leather, patent leather, denim).  

                           

Reference

Azzedine Alaïa (website)

https://www.maison-alaia.com/

Oh, desire! Azzedine Alaïa (1935-2017) Le Coeur Bag (1)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Brought to you by the Tunisian-born Azzedine Alaïa fashion house in Paris, Le Coeur (heart) bag was launched during the Winter 2022. Le Coeur bag is a leather crossbody bag with zip closures, adjustable strap, and a single cut in the leather, which creates volume for the eye-catching heart shape. 

Immensely popular, this bag was awarded the US design patent USD1020239S1, titled Bag, on April 2, 2024. The patent was awarded to Angela Lauria, and assigned to Azzedine Alaïa SAS, in Paris, France.

Below, the patent Figure 1.1 shows a perspective view of Le Coeur bag, together with an image of the marketed product, in red leather. As a reminder, a US design patent covers the ornamental aspects of a design, or what the invention looks like. Whereas, a US utility patent covers the way an invention works or is manufactured.

References

Azzedine Alaïa (website)
https://www.maison-alaia.com/

USPTO MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent.
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

Oh, patents! Azzedine Alaïa (1935-2017) – ‘Papa’ bag logo clasp

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The Azzedine Alaïa hit piece Papa bag is adorned with a patented logo clasp. A clasp that was granted the US design patent  USD983526S1, titled  Clasp for leather goods, on April 18, 2023.  The patent was awarded to Angela Lauria, also the Papa bag designer. 

Below the patent Figure 1.1, shows a perspective view of the clasp, and an image of the geometric clasp in gold tone, mounted on two Azzedine Alaïa Papa bags.  As a reminder, a US design patent covers only the ornamental aspect of an invention. In this case, the patent covers only how the clasp looks, in contrast to how the push-lock clasp works.   

Reference

Alaïa (website)
https://www.maison-alaia.com/

USPTO MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent.
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

Oh, patents! Azzedine Alaïa (1935-2017) (1)

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The Tunisian-born couturier, Azzedine Alaïa, established his fashion house in Paris, France, in 1964.  Since then, several iconic Azzedine Alaïa pieces have been granted US design patents. For example, the it-pièce (in English, hit piece) Le Papa bag, is a patented design. The US design patent USD979236S1, titled Shoulder bag, was granted on Feb. 8, 2023, to Angela Lauria, and assigned to Azzedine Alaïa SAS, in Paris, France. 

Le Papa bag honors the deceased founder, Azzedine Alaïa, and his eponymous fashion house, known to function more like a family. A family that is continuing his legacy. According to fashion lore, Azzedine Alaïa developed close working relationships with his models, including  Grace Jones, whose costumes he designed, in 1985, for the 14th James Bond movie, A View to Kill.  

Below, the patent Figure image 1.1, together with black and white marketed models of the treasured Le Papa piece. A piece produced in three different sizes and several different materials. A design that turns the "A", representing the house's name, Alaïa, upside down.

As a reminder, a US design patent covers the ornamental aspects of an inventive design, or how the design looks. In contrast, a US utility patent covers the functional aspects of an invention, or the way the invention works. Thus, this patent excludes all but the stunning looks of Alaïa's Papa bag.

References

A View to Kill (1985). James Bond movie, starring Roger Moore and James Bond and  Grace Jones as May Day and music by Duran Duran. (Original Trailer)

https://youtu.be/pxQS8iAlr9w

Bobard-Deliere, M. (2022). It-pièce : Le Papa d’Alaïa, le nouvel intemporel. Elle Magazine France.

https://www.elle.fr/Mode/Accessoires-de-Mode/It-piece-le-Papa-d-Alaia-le-nouvel-intemporel

Maison Alaïa (website)

https://www.maison-alaia.com/us

Thomas, M. (2022). Le Papa, nouveau sac emblématique de la maison Alaïa. Marie Claire Magazine France. 

https://www.marieclaire.fr/le-papa-nouveau-sac-emblematique-de-la-maison-alaia,1429533.asp