Anna Sorokin, better known by her criminal alias Anna Delvey, has become a cultural phenomenon since her infamous exploits as a con artist earned her both notoriety and, quite surprisingly, a second chance in the world of fashion and brand marketing. Delvey, who scammed unsuspecting victims out of over $250,000 during her time posing as a wealthy heiress, has since transformed her life post-incarceration, diving into the realm of entrepreneurialism as a self-styled fashion insider. However, the very name that once led her into a world of crime has now become a source of contention, exemplified by her recent legal actions against retail giant Walmart.
Just prior to serving her sentence for fraud, Sorokin took an unforeseen step: she trademarked the name “Anna Delvey.” This decision appears to be strategic and serves as both a protection mechanism and an attempt to cultivate a brand identity that operates within the fashion industry. The registered trademark includes various clothing items—hoodies, dresses, hats, and more—including articles that might be deemed modern yet affordable.
However, this trademark registration has led to tension with major retailers, particularly Walmart. In an unexpected twist, the retail giant began selling items featuring the “Anna Delvey” moniker and associated imagery, seemingly unaware of Delvey’s legal claims. Sorokin’s lawyer, Duncan Levin, swiftly took action, labeling Walmart’s actions as an “egregious infringement” on her client’s trademark, citing damage to Delvey’s brand and reputation as a direct consequence of their products.
The cease-and-desist letter dispatched to Walmart made clear Delvey’s intentions to protect her brand. Levin demanded that Walmart remove all listings related to her name within a stringent 24-hour timeline, demonstrating the seriousness with which Delvey is approaching this potential infringement. The letter also requested detailed sales data, emphasizing the necessity for accountability in their business dealings.
Listing 53 different products under the “Anna Delvey” brand on Walmart’s platform, including novelty T-shirts and hoodies, presents an interesting paradox. On the one hand, these products play into the kitschy side of pop culture, while on the other, they underscore a profound inconsistency: a criminal is cashing in on her name and image, a name that once epitomized deceit and manipulation.
The stakes in this legal back-and-forth extend beyond Delvey and Walmart. In many ways, this conflict encapsulates a larger conversation about the ethics of branding, rehabilitation, and celebrity in contemporary society. When an individual with a criminal past can successfully monetize their infamous identity, it raises questions about the value placed on authenticity versus contrivance in the consumer marketplace.
In her pursuit to reclaim her narrative, Delvey threatens to sue major media platforms that question her financial reparations to victims of her fraud. She has also initiated a public relations firm—OutLaw Agency— with prominent industry figures like Kelly Cutrone, showcasing her desire to remain entrenched in the fashion and media landscape while reconstructing her public persona.
Anna Delvey illustrates a unique paradigm, transforming her past into a branding opportunity that complicates notions of crime and redemption. Her trademark battle with Walmart serves as a reflection of the convoluted relationship society has with fame, infamy, and cultural consumption. It begs the question of whether we should allow figures with complicated histories to thrive in the very markets they once sought to exploit.
As Delvey navigates her post-prison life, claiming her identity as a brand, one can’t help but wonder: in a world that idolizes notoriety, could her journey signal a new era where the lines between victim and perpetrator are obscured by the glamour of consumerism? Perhaps more importantly, what does it mean for our cultural fabric when brands are built on the ruins of deceit? As the story unfolds, one thing is certain: Anna Delvey is far from a mere footnote in the annals of crime; she represents an evolving conversation about morality, identity, and commerce in the modern age.