British Model Adwoa Aboah Subject Of Brewing Modelling Agencies' Legal Battle
In a lawsuit filed (this month) in Manhattan Supreme Court, The Lions claims that Aboah recently asked to be released early from her three-year contract after being recruited by DNA Model Management, cofounder David Bonnouvrier.
Photo credit: Dazed Media Photographer Paul Maffi, courtesy of Adwoa Aboah
According to reports a legal battle is brewing between rival modelling agencies The Lions and DNA Model Management over the British model and activist Adwoa Aboah.
In a lawsuit filed (this month) in Manhattan Supreme Court, The Lions claims that Aboah recently asked to be released early from her three-year contract after being recruited by DNA Model Management, cofounder David Bonnouvrier.
The Lions says that it penned a deal with Aboah in 2015 when she had “virtual no modeling fees" and was relatively unknown in the modeling industry. Two years later, “Aboah was one of the top models in the United States,” the suit says.
During her time with The Lions, Aboah got her first Vogue cover shoot, (alongside Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner) and since, has been booked for high-profile shows such as Dior’s London Fashion Week show, this months recent Burberry show during London Fashion Week and has modelled in campaigns for Calvin Klein, H&M, as well as the likes of Fendi, Alexander Wang among others.
Daughter of Camilla Lowther, founder of the high profile CLM Agency, one of the most influential management agencies that represents creatives across the fashion editorial industry, including photographers Tim Walker and Juergen Teller.
Particularly of concern in the suit is Aboah’s mother Lowther - whom The Lions claim “intentionally and improperly” induced Aboah’s breach of her contract. Lowther “made a deal for Aboah to be represented by DNA,” the suit says, even though her daughter’s contract with the Lions doesn’t expire until January 2018.
The Lions pointed out that Aboah’s mother Lowther is a personal friend of Bonnouvrier, and claimed that he told the agency that Lowther is “very powerful in the fashion industry” and if Aboah was not released from her contract, she would “attempt to harm the Lions business,” according to the complaint.
According to reports, Aboah contacted her Lions reps in August to tell them she wanted to leave, despite stating earlier in July 2017 that she was “very happy...and her loyalty was with [The Lions]" the suit says.
On the recent announcement made this month of Aboah being represented by DNA. Lions contacted Bonnouvrier and a lawyer for Aboah informing them that the agency expected her “to fulfill her [contractual] obligations.” The suit goes onto claim that: “The Lions was in the middle of negotiation deals that would generate substantial fees for both Aboah and The Lion.”
The lawsuit made out is for unspecified damages. Lowther, Bonnouvrier and DNA are all defendants. The British Model Aboah is not being sued.
Alexander Wang in Contract Talks With Balenciaga
As soon as Alexander Wang was appointed Creative Director of Balenciaga in December 2012, replacing Nicholas Ghesquière, his appointment was seen as a move to inject the heritage brand with his signature cool. And all seemed to be going well - or at least we thought. However now two and a half years on, WWD is reporting that the designer is currently in negotiations talks with the fashion label over the renewal of his contract – and rumour has it that his contract may not be renewed at all.
As soon as Alexander Wang was appointed Creative Director of Balenciaga in December 2012, replacing Nicholas Ghesquière, his appointment was seen as a move to inject the heritage brand with his signature cool. And all seemed to be going well - or at least we thought. However now two and a half years on, WWD is reporting that the designer is currently in negotiations talks with the fashion label over the renewal of his contract – and rumour has it that his contract may not be renewed at all.
Market sources estimate Balenciaga generates revenues north of 350 million euros, or $391.5 million at current exchange rates, and is profitable. More than half of the companies revenue intake is from directly owned retail, closing the calender last year with an impressive 90 freestanding stores compared with the three stores it had seven years ago.
Regarding Wang's future, FL&B suspect that the designer's next collection for the Parisian fashion house could be his last. Both sides admit that discussions are taking place but that’s all that is being said, and according to word from WWD, there is much speculation that the two might split. Wang remains under contract with Balenciaga through the Spring 2016 collection, which will show in Paris this fall. After which, Wang's time at Balenciaga is still unconfirmed.
Watch this space for more news.