Jewelry designer Catherine Michiels faces a breach of contract suit in Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (Case number BC403442) which asks for three hundred thousand dollars in damages. The suit is brought by filmmaker and brand strategist Stephen Mitchell with whom Michiels was allegedly romantically involved from July of 2006 until November of 2008.
The suit alleges that Michiels proposed to Mitchell that he function for her and CATHERINE MICHIELS FINE CUSTOM JEWERY, INC, in the capacity of an 's233;minence grise (an advisor or
decision-maker who operates secretly or unofficially). In the complaint, Mitchell alleges that Michiels held up the model of fashion designer Yves St. Laurent and Pierre Berg's233; who
met in 1958, became romantically involved and formed a partnership whereby St. Laurent created fashion designs and Berg's233; managed the strategy and tactics of developing the brand.
The complaint states that, in fulfilling his role under the agreement, Mitchell originated and introduced the Recognition concept that was to define the line of silk-tie bracelets and
necklaces that are signature and cornerstone to the Michiels collection, named La Vie de l'sAmour ring, authored product legends, arranged and negotiated a factoring agreement
facilitating cash flow from client orders, created and directed the mini-documentary Voyage as a visual positioning statement for the brand which can be seen on the website See: http://www.catherinemichiels.com/video.html ), and generally provided strategic brand management resulting in increased sales for the
company.
Fans of Catherine'ss creations include Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Kate Bosworth, Sandra Bullock, Sheryl Crow, Ellen DeGeneres, Macy Gray, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, Helen Hunt, Sharon
Stone, Uma Thurman, Naomi Watts and Jacques Zribi. The Catherine Michiels collection sells in upscale stores around the world, notably in Paris at L'sEclaireur, in Dallas at YLANG23 and
in Los Angeles at Steven Alan.
The suit alleges that Michiels's failure to address the issues of compensation and equity pursuant to the 's233;minence grise/partnership agreement constitutes a material breach of
contract.