Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2024
Street-art intellectual-property lawsuit
Street artists sued Guess in California, alleging unauthorized use of their tags and artwork in a graffiti-inspired collection.
2023
Russian operations criticism
Guess was criticized for continuing operations in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine and for taking a minority stake in its local partner's business.
2023
Supply-chain forced-labor allegations
A report identified alleged connections between a Guess supplier and forced-labor concerns involving Uyghur workers.
2021
Guess notifies customers of a data breach
Issue disclosure
Guess notified customers about a data breach connected to a ransomware attack. The company said an investigation found unauthorized access to certain systems and that personal information may have been accessed or acquired by an unauthorized actor. Guess offered affected customers complimentary identity-theft protection and credit monitoring services.
Company response
Remediation — Guess
As it began notifying the affected users, Guess also offered complimentary one-year membership to and credit monitoring services through identity theft protection to their impacted customers.
Source excerpt
“The investigation determined that there was unauthorized access to certain Guess systems between February 2, 2021 and February 23, 2021. On May 26, 2021, the investigation determined that personal information related to certain individuals may have been accessed or acquired by an unauthorized actor,” reveals Guess in the .notification letter
As it began notifying the affected users, Guess also offered complimentary one-year membership to and credit monitoring services through identity theft protection to their impacted customers.
Popular American clothing brand and retailer Guess is snail mailing its customers alerting them about a data breach as part of a attack on the brand earlier this year in February.ransomware
2021
Guess notifies customers of data breach
Issue disclosure
Guess began notifying affected customers on June 9 about a data breach following a February ransomware attack. The company said personal information may have been accessed or acquired by an unauthorized actor.
Company response
Investigation — Guess
A cybersecurity forensic firm was engaged to assist with the investigation
Remediation — Guess
Guess has implemented additional measures to boost its security protocols
Refund or compensation — Guess
Guess began mailing breach notification letters to affected customers on June 9, offering complimentary identity theft protection services and one year of free credit monitoring through Experian to all impacted individuals.
Source excerpt
American fashion brand and retailer Guess is notifying affected customers of a data breach following a February ransomware attack that led to data theft.
On May 26, 2021, the investigation determined that personal information related to certain individuals may have been accessed or acquired by an unauthorized actor.
Guess began mailing breach notification letters to affected customers on June 9, offering complimentary identity theft protection services and one year of free credit monitoring through Experian to all impacted individuals.
2021
Guess faces backlash over bag resembling Telfar design
Public backlash
A new Guess bag drew public backlash from Twitter users and the article's author, who alleged that it copied features of Telfar's Shopping Bag. The article suggested the resemblance could support a trademark infringement claim but reports no legal determination.
Source excerpt
However, the most laughable detail is the specific placement of the embossed circular logo – we reckon there's enough there for Telfar Clemens to file a trademark infringement.
A new Guess bag is garnering some well-deserved backlash for blatantly knocking off Telfar’s cult-favored Shopping Bag, aka the Bushwick Birkin.
The bag began popping up on third-party retailers like Hudson's Bay, Macy's and Dillard's and Twitter users were quick to drag the Telfar replica – and rightly so.
2012
Gucci trademark litigation
Gucci prevailed in a case alleging that Guess footwear used confusingly similar branding and design elements. Damages were awarded after Gucci's substantially larger initial claim was reduced.
2005
Ski Colombia T-shirt controversy
Guess withdrew a T-shirt slogan criticized as trivializing Colombia's association with drug trafficking and sent apology letters.
1996
Labor violations and UNITE dispute
Independent inspections identified violations at several contractors, while UNITE pursued claims concerning wages and alleged illegal dismissals. The dispute generated a prolonged public campaign and further damaged Guess's labor reputation.
1992
Contractor wage and overtime litigation
Guess contractors faced Department of Labor litigation concerning alleged failures to pay minimum wages and required overtime. Back wages were paid, and the company agreed to voluntary monitoring of subcontractors.