NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS Legendary hotelier Ian Schrager is less than pleased by an homage from home goods retailer Crate & Barrel, which named a piece of furniture after him.
Schrager has sent a cease and desist letter to Crate & Barrel over the marketing of a US$3,499 white leather sofa named “Ian.”
In an interview with The Associated Press, Crate & Barrel buyer Becky Weber confirmed that the piece is, in fact, named for Schrager: “The Ian white leather sofa pays tribute to Ian Schrager, who pioneered the concept of hotel lobby as ‘club,’” she says.
A Schrager spokesperson confirmed to New York Post that the cease and desist letter has been sent, saying “Imitation isn’t the best form of flattery in this case.” A Crate & Barrel representative says the company has not yet received Schrager’s complaint.
