Eli Lăslean accuses Cătălin Botezatu of brand infringement over Ellis Collection

Romanian fashion designer Eli Lăslean, who founded the Ellis brand in Arad in 1991 and has worked in the industry for more than 35 years, publicly denounced designer Cătălin Botezatu for using the name "Ellis Collection" in his recent runway show. Lăslean posted a TikTok video expressing shock that she was not invited to Botezatu’s presentation, noting that her eye was red from the upset. She followed the video with an open letter to Botezatu, stating that the Ellis name is her intellectual property, registered with the Romanian State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM), and that the use of a similar name by another designer constitutes identity theft. Lăslean said she will defend her rights through legal channels and called for respect and ethical conduct within Romania’s fashion industry.

Botezatu, who has previously commented on women’s aesthetic surgeries, has not yet responded to the allegations. The dispute highlights concerns over brand ownership and trademark protection in the Romanian fashion sector.