Copycat clash as Monsoon targets Primark

IMITATION may be the sincerest form of flattery, but in the world of fashion it is big business.

Now Monsoon, famed for its floral prints and ethnic chic, is hitting back at copycats by suing Primark again.

It has already won £23,000 from the discount retailer in an earlier row. But after allegedly discovering a virtually identical skirt and five other items on sale in Primark, Monsoon has begun proceedings to claim a further £200,000 in damages. Monsoon claims that the copycat designs, which sell for a quarter of the price of the originals, are vastly inferior in quality and damage its brand.

Monsoon's original skirt sells for £44 while Primark's costs £11. Monsoon chief executive Rose Foster said: 'We are vigorous in our pursuit of those who attempt to copy our designs.'

Primark would not comment.