RUDE AWAKENING: Imagine waking up to your designs on a major musical artist — only to discover they’re under someone else’s name.

That’s the gist of a lawsuit filed at the Judicial Court of Paris by French design brand Tokiko against Rhude, the Los Angeles-based streetwear label of Rhuigi Villaseñor, in April.

A preliminary audience is slated for June 19 in Paris.

According to the filing, the brand discovered videos posted on Jason Derulo’s Instagram account in June 2024 that featured the singer sporting a black-and-white printed set by Rhude, composed of a short-sleeve shirt and shorts.

Part of the American brand’s spring 2024 collection, the motif dubbed “Strada” was used on four pieces, which include a long-sleeve shirt and matching trousers.

The point of contention is the print, which figures a stylized map of Monaco with its major landmarks and remarkable avenues labeled in capitals.

The French company, which specialises in decorative objects including posters and home goods, alleges that the one used by Rhude is a counterfeit of the “Monaco Grand Prix” illustration that it has been selling since 2022, a design created by Tokiko cofounder and illustrator Anna Skoog.

Contacted by WWD, a publicist for the American brand said it had no comment.

Court documents provide side-by-side close-ups of the motif on Rhude’s clothing and Tokiko’s print, as well as those who have been spotted in the so-called infringing items such as Derulo, professional skateboarder Kyjah and TikTok dance sensation Hugo Hilaire.

Tokiko also says in the filing that it sent cease-and-desist notices to Rhude and the RVRG Holdings LLC company, without getting a response.

The garments the French brand deemed infringing were subsequently no longer on Rhude’s website but remained available at a number of retailers, including Ssense and Fwrd, which still offer them for sale. 

Rhude is also accused of putting the garments in question back on sale on Rhude Bowl, its archival item platform.

With its lawsuit, Tokiko is pursuing damages for economic losses, moral harm and parasitic exploitation, totaling 850,000 euros. Skoog is additionally independently seeking 50,000 euros for violation of her moral rights as the illustration’s creator.

Further requests from the French brand and the illustrator include the destruction of unsold inventory and recall of infringing products as well as the publication of the judgment on Rhude’s homepage and in two media outlets in the fashion industry of Tokiko and Skoog’s choosing.