Boohoo

Boohoo has been accused of selling “flagrant” copies of bikinis made by a British swimwear brand which claims it deliberately hired the same model to wear its designs.

Moda Minx has filed a copyright claim against Boohoo over six swimsuits and bikini separate pieces that the fast fashion retailer sold online last year.

Moda Minx’s swimwear ranges are sold on third party websites including Asos and Zalando.

In the claim made to the High Court in London, Boohoo was accused of selling designs so similar to swimwear created by Moda Minx that it said this could “only be explained by copying”.

Lawyers for Moda Minx argued that Boohoo had hired the same model that was featured on Zalando wearing its own swimwear, legal documents showed. Fast fashion brands often use the same modelling agencies, and can request the next available person for their job.

However, in the claim, the lawyers alleged that Boohoo “was aware of the model’s previous modelling” of Moda Minx’s brands, and engaged that model to “emphasise” the similarities to its designs.

A spokesman for Boohoo said: “Given the existence of the ongoing proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of the case. However, Boohoo denies the allegations and intends to robustly defend the claim.”

Moda Minx did not respond to requests for comments, although lawyers for the company previously confirmed the case concerned “UK unregistered design rights in various swimwear”.

It comes after Boohoo settled a lawsuit in the US in May over allegations it was faking discounts. The settlement was reached “without admission of liability”.

Boohoo is currently battling a rise in shoppers returning clothes, as more Gen Z customers over-order and send back outfits.

In May, it warned that return rates had climbed ahead of pre-pandemic levels. It said this was partly because it was selling more expensive brands and more formal dresses, both of which it said were more likely to be returned by shoppers.

It swung to a £91m loss in the year to the end of February, as sales fell 11pc.

The company has also recently been at the centre of a row with make-up brand Revolution Beauty, where it is aiming to push through a board shake-up. Boohoo holds a 26pc stake in Revolution Beauty, and is seeking to add its own candidates to the company’s board. A vote will take place on its candidates for the board later this summer.