Bruni Wins Damages for Nude Handbag

11 months ago 19th Dec 06:40

France's first lady, model-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has won $57,500 (Gbp37,580) in damages from a fashion company that sold bags marked with her nude photograph without her permission.The black-and-white photo of the singer was taken in 1993 - when Bruni-Sarkozy began her career as professional model - and used by fashion chain Pardon.The same photo hit headlines earlier in the year (08), when its original print fetched $91,000 (Gbp59,480) at a New York auction. A French court awarded her the sum after she asked for $178,640 (Gbp116,760) in damages from the company, which is headquartered in the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion.Pardon founder/manager Peter Mertes reportedly plans to appeal the decision, calling the unauthorised use of the photo "a small blunder".Mertes did promise to dispose of the remaining stock - an estimated half of the 10,000 bags produced by his company.Bruni-Sarkozy's lawyers have indicated the singer plans to donate any damages awarded in the case to charity.