The Tamesis
Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie took over a studio building in Manhattan in 2023, planning to offer disadvantaged seamstresses and artisans from around the world clothing shopping, Turkish coffee and Syrian mini-pies, as well as a studio, part of a sign that marked 57 Great Jones Street (now known as Jolie’s Studio) once occupied by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. But now it turns out that the brand name of the surgery was also previously adopted by those very active artists and craftsmen, and were not happy with the actress using this name.
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The existing Atelier Jolie studio is located in Easton, Pennsylvania and was founded in 2021 by artist, curator and entrepreneur OMnaia Jolie Abdou. American SunReports say Pennsylvania Jolie is asking to have the actress and humanitarian’s trademark application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office dismissed.
According to Jolie Abdou’s filing opposing the new trademark, the trademark “is used primarily to identify and promote art and design studio goods and services featuring the work of Applicant Managing Member Omnaia Jolie Abdou, which includes, but is not limited to, custom artwork, apparel and luxury apparel, paintings, sculptures, pottery, prints, posters, and other custom merchandise and artwork.”
Lawyers for the actress argued that there was “no actual competition” between the two agencies and that there was “little likelihood of confusion.”
this sun Lawyers for both sides have reportedly been negotiating a settlement for months that could stipulate that the actress must pay to use the name.
None of Jolie’s studios immediately responded to requests for comment.
Angelina Jolie’s institution offers classes, workshops, residencies and exhibitions in “a place for co-creation and discovery of art, craft and design works from cultures around the world”. Currently on view is an exhibition by fine art photographer Jeremy Dennis, an enrolled member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, whose work “centers Native identity, culture and the legacy of colonial assimilation.” Also available are wearable artworks by L’enchanteur (identical twins Dynasty and Soull Ogun) and Afghan fashion brand Zarif.
A banner on the Penn Julie Studio website still advertises a new Easton store opening in February 2025; the only listed exhibition, “The Language of the Heart,” opens in 2023. Featured collections on the home page include works by Jolie Abdou; Driera 15-inch-tall vessel modeled after the female body with designated parts highlighted. It sells for $497.
