Griffith Sued by Designer for Red Carpet Omission

The actress allegedly broke her promise to name the designer of her Golden Globes gown

April 10 2006

LOS ANGELES -- An Oscar-nominated star like Melanie Griffith should remember the little people, says an irate designer.

Niklas J. Palm is suing the actress for not giving him a shout out on the Golden Globes' red carpet for designing her gown and for not paying him the nearly $26,000 she owes him for overhauling her wardrobe and look.

According to a lawsuit filed Friday, April 7, found on TMZ.com, Griffith first met Palm while working on an exercise informercial for "Windsor Pilates" in August 2005. Over the next few weeks, facilitated by her assistant, they came to an agreement in writing that she would pay him $65 per hour for 10-hour days, and $98 per hour beyond 10 hours for revamping her style. Additional projects would be priced individually.

In the letter, he wrote that in his duties as stylist, he would "re-organize two closets of casual to formal wear, sort out what's working and what's not. Repair if needed, over dying [sic] and re-cutting possible garments. Duplicate pieces for possibly Aspen, New York, and the Spain house, shop new wardrobe if needed."

One of the ways Palm fulfilled his duties was putting outfits together, numbering the pieces and photographing them so that Griffith would be able to select clothes that way.

Beyond the tasks detailed in his letter, Palm also began to style Griffith for talk show appearances and for her other family members: husband Antonio Banderas for his Walk of Fame and "Zorro 2" events, their children and even one of the kids' girlfriends. Palm would also pack Griffith's clothes for her before she traveled.

On Jan. 16, the day of the Golden Globes, all their business dealings went awry. Palm created gowns for Griffith and her daughters Dakota Johnson and Stella Banderas, all of whom allegedly said they'd credit him as the designer when asked on the red carpet. None did, and Griffith had reportedly taken credit for the gown herself. That was also the day that Palm submitted Griffith a bill for $25,960, which has yet to be paid.

He is suing for breach of contract for this bill as well as intentional misrepresentation for the actress' promise to mention his name and provide him "publicity that money could not buy." Banderas and his production company are also named in the suit for hiring Palm's services.

Palm was part of a costume design team that won a 2004 Emmy award for their work on the HBO series "Carnivale."

Good, I hope she has to pay.

On Inside Edition last night, they showed a clip of Melanie telling Deborah Norville on the red carpet Niklas Palm designed her dress.

God, people need to quit suing over such ridiculous stuff! Sheesh...

God, people need to quit suing over such ridiculous stuff! Sheesh...

I know right?? Since when did it become like mandatory for you to shout out your designer at a big event?!? Just who the hell do these guys think they are?? I know she said she would shout them out but still, they are going to sue her cuz she didn't?

But it is wrong for Melanie to take credit for the dress herself so BOOO Melanie!!

On Inside Edition last night, they showed a clip of Melanie telling Deborah Norville on the red carpet Niklas Palm designed her dress.

Wait, then this guy is lying?

Wait, then this guy is lying?

Apparently so. I'm no fan of Melanie, but if you watch the clip (they'll show it over the weekend on late night) you can hear Deborah ask Melanie as she's walking by "What are you wearing?" and you can clearly hear her reply "Niklas Palm!" The clip is only seconds long, but make no mistake, she did credit the designer, at least in that moment.

Also, who would expect young daughters of celebrities to be interviewed by every reporter and be constantly asked who they're wearing?