Kim Kardashian slammed for ‘STEALING’ SKKN name from star with ‘eerily similar’ branding after backlash for high prices
KIM Kardashian has been slammed for "stealing" the SKKN name from model and entrepreneur Lori Harvey
Kim, 41, also faced legal pushback, that may evolve into a legal battle, from another source with a similar moniker.
On Wednesday, Kim took to Instagram to announce her brand new skincare line SKKN.
The beauty mogul captioned the post: "I’m excited to finally introduce to you SKKN BY KIM, a rejuvenating nine-product skincare ritual that I have developed from start to finish."
"I’ve been so privileged to learn about skin and skincare over the years from the world’s top dermatologists and estheticians, and every bottle from my new line is filled with the knowledge I’ve accumulated along the way."
Kim continued: "You will experience refillable packaging, and clean, science-backed ingredients designed to nourish all skin types, tones, and textures at all stages of maturity. I created this line so that everyone can feel confident in their skin, and I can’t wait to finally be able to share it with you!"
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The mother of four concluded her announcement, saying: "SKKN BY KIM is launching on June 21 at 9a PT / 12p ET exclusively on SKKNBYKIM.COM."
The announcement of the brand has been garnering criticism on several fronts.
Many fans have noted that the skincare brand's name is very similar, one letter off in fact, to a pre-existing skincare product owned by Lori Harvey.
Lori, 25, is a model, entrepreneur, and socialite who is also the daughter of comedian Steve Harvey and girlfriend of actor Michael B. Jordan.
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In October of last year, the model launched SKN by LH.
It's a five-step skin care regimen that includes products similar to that of Kim's SKKN, including a cleanser, toner, and Vitamin C serum.
Many fans took to Twitter to voice their concerns and outrage at the similarly named line.
One fan tweeted: "SKKN by Kim?? What happened to SKN by Lori Harvey???"
Another wrote: "Note: The name is a little too close to Lori Harvey’s Skincare brand to me. SKN by LH vs. SKKN by Kim — I don’t like that."
While a third added: "SKKN by Kim Kardashian. SKN by Lori Harvey. She couldn’t find another name?"
SAVING KIM'S SKKN
Kim has already run into legal issues regarding the SKKN name.
Following her filing for divorce from Kanye West, 44, last year, the entrepreneur announced she was shutting down her famed cosmetics line with plans of a complete rebrand.
The Sun has obtained documents that show the SKIMS founder filed a trademark to acquire the name SKKN that will cover "retail store services featuring skin, cosmetics, hair, nail and beauty products, tools and accessories, fragrances, perfumes, candles, vitamins and supplements” along with many more departments, including home furnishings.
However, the reality star is being met with legal pushback from Cydnie Lunsford, the owner of , a Black-owned spa and beauty center in New York City.
According to legal documents obtained by The Sun, has been using the small business’ moniker since “at least 2018” - years before Kim filed to use the same name for her company.
In addition to having her own spa, Cyndie also sells lines of SKKN+ products that can be purchased on her website or in the store.
The Sun spoke with attorney , who is representing Cyndie and SKKN+, and said that despite their “multiple attempts” to block Kim from pursuing this, she is still “pushing the name.”
“We are still unresolved,” the lawyer claimed after several attempts to stop SKKN by Kim from coming to fruition, including serving the TV personality with a cease and desist letter back in July.
“My client will take every action to protect themselves and to stop that, which will likely include going to court sooner.”
“The best resolution is for [Kim] to choose a different name. She’s been on notice for this for months already,” Erik urged, claiming his client wants “no financial compensation” and just wants Kim switch her business’ name.
Erik then explained that there is only so much he can do legally at this time but that will change if, or when, Kim launches SKKN and begins to profit off of the name.
“Until there are sales [from Kim's new line], there isn’t even an option for a legal proceeding because there is a different type of damage that had been done, it’s more hypothetical.
"Once a launch takes place, that would change everything. But we will pursue every legal action vigorously to protect my client,” he claimed.
SOFT ON SKKN, HARD ON WALLET
Besides the name of the product line, fans have also been up in arms regarding its price.
When discussing the inspiration for her new skincare line Kim was quoted as saying, "I wanted to just stay true to exactly what I use, even if everyone was saying this is overwhelming".
She continued, in reference to the nine-step skincare routine, "That’s why I’m here — to break it down, to be like, ‘They’re all necessary'".
According to the , the total cost for the system's nine products adds up to be "$630".
Kim justified the hefty price tag by explaining her refusal to compromise on the best ingredients.
“It’s definitely more prestige, and in order to get the types of ingredients that I would not really miss out on, it was kind of a necessity,”
Fans of the reality star took issue with the high price point.
On Twitter, one wrote: "$630? That s**t better be super-sized. Who the hell could afford that?"
Another chimed in: "You can buy all of that stuff for less than $100 with other brands. None of that stuff is special."
One user on added: "So incredibly unlikeable this makes her".
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Another described the famous family as "really entering they're out of touch era…"
Despite the reaction, billionaire Kim maintains that high prices are a "necessity" in order to obtain the quality ingredients for her products.
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