Meghan Markle’s As Ever Brand Debuts with Design Controversy
Initial Dispute
Meghan Markle recently launched her new lifestyle brand, As Ever, but eagle-eyed viewers have noticed some design parallels in the brand’s intricate emblem, sparking a fresh creative controversy for the Duchess. This follows a rocky debut for the brand after its original name ‘American Riviera Orchard’ was rejected for a trademark application due to design inconsistencies in the handwritten calligraphic wordmark.
Design Disputes and the Porreres Coat of Arms
While there’s no right way to design a logo, creating an original emblem is key to building an iconic identity (and avoiding any unnecessary design disputes). Now the Duchess’ new brand is facing fresh contention from an unlikely contender – a small town in Mallorca, Spain – due to the emblem’s striking similarities to its historic coat of arms.
The Controversy Unfolds
The As Ever logo features a pair of hummingbirds framing a palm tree – a design that bears a striking resemblance to the Porreres coat of arms. The Majorcan town’s mayor claims she doesn’t want the historic coat of arms to be "perverted" stating it "belongs exclusively to Porreres." While the town intends to ask the Duchess to remove the emblem from her website, The Sun reports that it may not be able to press legal charges due to financial constraints.
A Closer Look at the Logos
A closer inspection of the two logos reveals some minor discrepancies, such as contrasting borders and color schemes. While the As Ever emblem features two hummingbirds, the Porreres coat of arms depicts two swallows (or pigeons – historians have been divided for centuries). The Duchess’ emblem has a more intricate, minimalist aesthetic yet the composition of the two logos is undoubtedly similar, with Porreres’ coat of arms allegedly dating back to 1370, it’s safe to say the town’s heritage design predates the As Ever emblem by a great deal.
The Future of the Dispute
While it’s currently unclear how the design controversy will be settled, it’s not the first logo dispute we’ve seen recently (and it inevitably won’t be the last). For more design conflicts, take a look at Logan Paul’s unconventional ‘solution’ to Prime’s trademark battle with Lionel Messi and if you missed it, check out our initial reaction to Meghan Markle’s classy rebrand.
Conclusion
The design world is filled with controversy, and it’s not uncommon for similar designs to emerge. In the case of As Ever and Porreres, it’s clear that the design is similar, but the question remains – can a design be too similar? While it’s up to the designers to decide, one thing is certain – the design world will continue to be filled with controversy and creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the dispute about?
A: The dispute is about the similarities between the As Ever logo and the Porreres coat of arms.
Q: Who is involved in the dispute?
A: The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, and the town of Porreres in Mallorca, Spain.
Q: What is the issue with the As Ever logo?
A: The logo bears a striking resemblance to the Porreres coat of arms, which is a historic design that predates the As Ever emblem.
Q: Will the dispute be settled?
A: The outcome is currently unclear, but it’s possible that the town of Porreres may not be able to press legal charges due to financial constraints.
