Antthony Design Originals lawsuit against QVC to proceed after bankruptcy restructuring

A federal lawsuit brought by fashion brand Antthony Design Originals against QVC Group will move forward following the US shopping group’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Founder Antthony Mark Hankins said the order confirming QVC’s bankruptcy plan expressly preserves the claims made by him and Antthony Design Originals in their pending lawsuit, Antthony Design Originals, Inc. et al. v. QVC Group, Inc. et al.

The confirmation order states that the bankruptcy plan does not extinguish, release or impair the claims, allowing the plaintiffs to continue pursuing the case and seek monetary or injunctive relief.

The stay on the federal proceedings has now been lifted, with the case continuing in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. QVC is expected to file its anticipated motions by September 2.

“From the beginning, I have believed in allowing the facts to be presented through the courts,” Hankins said, adding that he remains focused on protecting his work, business and the legacy he has built over more than three decades.

The development follows QVC's completion of its financial restructuring earlier this month, which reduced its debt by five billion dollars and secured a new 600 million dollars lending facility. The company also appointed former CEO Mike George as interim CEO and chairman, and has pivoted its focus towards expanding its live-shopping proposition across social platforms, streaming services, e-commerce and television.