Bossy Cosmetics' global battle with HUGO BOSS and (now) COTY
Happy Friday! I've developed a tremendous degree of resilience as the CEO of Bossy Cosmetics Inc. over the past 6 years and for most of that time (4+ years), I would melodramatically refer to myself as a "war-time" CEO. Starting a mission-driven purpose-led cosmetics business that seeks to inspire and ignite confidence in ambitious women is definitely not for the faint of heart! Over this time, we've been featured in almost (waiting for Vogue to call!) every major beauty/fashion publication, featured on Good Morning America and The View, interviewed on podcasts with millions of subscribers, been selected as one of Oprah's Favorite Things TWICE, launched in 600+ JCPenny stores across the US, launched on storied retailer Nordstrom, featured on the digital cover of historic Black Enterprise magazine, to name a few of our accolades in such a short amount of time. I am proud of what the Bossy team and I have accomplished.
While building the brand with a smallest team you could imagine, having raised only $1.5 million from the most wonderful group of angel investors along the way, we've been fighting a vicious global battle led by Daniel Grieder and his team at HUGO BOSS. They've fought us in Europe, the UK, and now in the US. At several points in time, I've wanted to give in to their "demands." The bullying has been relentless with statements like: "Do this or we will sue to oppose your already approved mark in the UK!," "We really care about fragrances so remove that category from your marks and we'll be fine!" and several such requests, the majority to which I have acquiesced in the hopes that we would sign an agreement and the bullying would end.
Four years on and it hasn't.
It's definitely bullying and this is not an emotional opinion. Two days ago, they opposed my US mark for BOSSY COSMETICS because I wouldn't agree to a new set of demands that materialized at the end of 2023. And now, Sue Nabi and her team at Coty have joined their partner in the opposition.
With this opposition, I'm grateful that we will now have the opportunity to face each other in a US court of law. I feel much better that a judge will be able to take a position on whether in fact BOSSY COSMETICS is a threat to the BOSS set of marks even though we don't have a single product in an overlapping category. I can't wait for this to be over with and I will fight until the end.
I'm in this fight because I feel that an injustice is happening and HUGO BOSS has a well-documented history of bullying smaller businesses like mine. Once I learned about their involvement with fascists during WWII, I knew that I couldn't let this go without a fight. I wouldn't fight if I didn't believe that I had a strong case. I'd much rather focus on growing my brand and raising my 3 sons.
If we win, I will praise God for His victory. If we lose, I will praise God for His victory. In all things, I give Him the glory.
Love always,
Aishetu Fatima Dozie
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Aishetu Beauty Inc d/b/a BOSSY COSMETICS
SEE HUGO BOSS AND COTY LEGAL OPPOSITION FILING HERE
Any press inquiries can reach us at press@bossybeauty.com. Thank you!
@bossybeautyinc For almost FOUR years, I have been fighting a disgraceful legal case against @HUGO @BOSS and they have used every possible legal maneuver to destroy this beloved Black woman owned brand and I am tired of keeping quiet about it because THEY WILL NOT STOP. It’s occurred to me that they do not want to actually settle. They want to drive me out of business. When we respond to them, we don’t hear back for months! It’s been almost 4 years and they are fighting me in the US, UK, and EU over trademarks that I either already owned or will mot affect their line of business. THEY DO NOT MAKE COLOR COSMETICS AS WE DO. THERE IS ZERO PRODUCT OVERLAP IN OUR COLLECTIVE PORTFOLIOS. It’s corporate terrorism and bullying and I need your help to stop them @Naomi Campbell @Khabane lame ♬ original sound - Bossy Cosmetics
LINKEDIN POST (9/6/2024) which includes the initial opposition filing