Balenciaga Gains Protection For Its Bow Bracelet

Balenciaga has obtained a design patent for one of its bracelets, which was first released under former creative director Alexander Wang. The silver piece will now be protected against copying by the order, and any brand seen to be imitating the style will be liable to legal repercussions by the French house.

The bangle's bow motif - which was echoed on belts and shoe trims, and diversified on bracelets which took on a more knotted or barbed-wire shape as well - debuted in February 2013 during Wang's first collection for the house, although the piece was actually created by former Balenciaga jewellery designer Charlotte Chesnais, of whom W Magazine said: "She left Balenciaga just afterNicolas Ghesquière did - but not before debuting the bow bracelets that have since become an Alexander Wang signature."

"The patent for the bracelet was issued to Balenciaga on November 10," The Fashion Law reports. "That's just over six months from the date it was filed, which as you may know, is pretty quick for design patents, which are known for their costly and time-consuming nature - and thus, their relative rarity in the fashion industry."