Imitation, flattery and . . . tea on 5th Avenue

Fashionista is interested to read in The New York Times that Bergdorf Goodman is following in the elegantly shod footsteps of the Berkeley Hotel in London by offering a Prêt-à-Portea. During New York fashion week the BG restaurant in the luxury store will be offering teatime treats (not thought to be low calorie) based on designs of such fashion icons as Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Michael Kors and Oscar de la Renta. Should the Berkeley Hotel be upset by this development and will it be unpalatable to the designers?

Fashionista wonders if these treats, perhaps designed to appease shoppers whose budgets are cut by the credit crunch, will leave the designers flattered or aggrieved. But finding a cause of action and a contingent fee arrangement to go with it may not be that easy!