While sources say that Robinson was fired over a dip in sales, others say it was a copyright infringement issue with David Yurman that did him in. The “Torc” bracelet, designed for Armani Exchange’s men’s collection, bore a striking similarity to Yurman’s popular cable cuff bracelets.
Yurman’s people allegedly contacted Robinson with a cease-and-desist letter, but other sources say that it was mainly lackluster sales that got him booted, though “this issue was the smoking gun.” An official statement from Armani Exchange, says that bracelet-gate had no bearing on the decision to axe Robinson. “Patrick Robinson left the brand amicably several weeks ago. His departure and this alleged claim of the Yurman’s sending us a cease-and-desist letter are entirely unrelated.”
