South Africa, June 26 -- Setting the scene

How the brand began - Italian designer Enrico Coveri turned his colourful style into a global fashion label in the 1980s. When he passed away in 1990, his sister Silvana Anna Maria Coveri stepped in as general manager of Enrico Coveri S.r.l., which still licenses the mark internationally.

The South African twist - The 'Enrico Coveri' trade mark was first registered here between 1985 and 1988, but the registration lapsed after renewal fees went unpaid in the wake of the designer's death. In the 2000s, local footwear manufacturer Yossi Barel registered the mark in his own name (including for footwear) and began selling shoes made in China and Turkey under the label.

Parallel imports arrive - Kwa...