The designer of the Los Angeles-based streetwear company Ludo, worn by Jay-Z, Justin Bieber, LeBron James, Sowity and many other celebrities, is giving the company money this week to live the way he does. was accused in a federal lawsuit of looting Wealthy and famous customers.
Owner of a minority stake in the clothing line, designer Luigi Villasenor said: rude companyIt’s a safe that supports a “luxury lifestyle” of private jet travel, Italian vacations, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and $100,000 watch collections.
George Robertson, who owns 20% of Rood shares, said in the lawsuit that Villasenor boasted annual earnings of more than $30 million, but only $41,000 a year to be distributed to co-owners. argued that it was too much.
“He used his power and control over Rood Companies’ products, designs, bank accounts and financial records to the detriment of Mr. Robertson to enrich his own personal interests,” the complaint alleges.
Through a lawyer and publicist, Villasenor, 32, declined to comment.
Mr. Robertson is seeking compensation, an opportunity to inspect the company’s books and the removal of Mr. Villasenor’s control of the company.
Raised in an illegal Filipino family in the San Fernando Valley, Villasenor is a self-taught designer who has become a darling of the industry in recent years. Swiss fashion house Bally appointed him design director last year, but the post was short-lived.he departed in May.
He founded Rhude in 2015 with an aesthetic he honed after school hunting through Goodwill. He describes his style as “what you buy when you don’t have money”.
The fusion of luxury and street style has captivated hip-hop artists and NBA stars. Its most famous products include the “Traxed” pants, high-end finish track pants that sell for $800 and were worn on stage by Ellen DeGeneres and A$AP Rocky.
Robertson invested $50,000 in the company in 2016. An entrepreneur and music agent, Robertson also co-wrote the 2011 LMFAO hit “Sexy and I Know It,” and the lawsuit alleges that Robertson has “industry ties.” It is said that it was helpful to provide brand.
The two broke up in 2019. Robertson claims he was “jealous” of Villasenor coming up with the “traxido” pants and other best-selling ideas, and banished him from office.
Robertson claims that Villasenor “has been and continues to sell on a regular basis” in order to conceal the income from him. [Rhude] I sold merchandise to VIP customers (mostly NBA players, celebrities, and musicians) through private sales and kept the proceeds for myself.
Both sides also failed to resolve their dispute, according to the complaint, with Villasenor offering to pay Robertson $5 million for its shares in 2021.
Speaking to The Times in 2021, Villasenor admitted that he has a taste for the higher end.
“Having traveled to Italy, I fell in love with villas,” he said. But he never forgot his roots and still visits his goodwill halls that inspired him in his teens, he said. “I love valleys.”
