Rick Ross brings in some dramz for XXL:

Those are some mighty fine Louis Vuitton shades you got on Mr. Rick Ross. But there's something peculiar about them: I don't remember seeing them in any LV campaigns, lookbooks, or even on the runway this season - or past ones for that matter - and I'm pretty good at keeping up-to-date with every dope man-cessory ever created. E V E R. So either I'm losing my mastery on the latest must-haves or these babies were bought for $10 in a secret back room of a store in Chinatown. I'm sticking the the latter (my mastery is def on check, word to your madre!). And I'm not the only one who has spotted the suspect shades, the folks over at LV are all over it and have confirmed my on-the-money observation. Check out the letter they sent to XXL's editor:

Dear Editor:

We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks. Because the photo has generated considerable confusion among your readers and Louis Vuitton customers among others, we feel it is important to clarify several points.

The first is that the sunglasses Mr. Ross is wearing were not made by Louis Vuitton, and in fact, are counterfeit. Louis Vuitton did not grant permission to Mr. Ross or to whoever did make the sunglasses to use our trademarks. The second is that no affiliation, sponsorship or association exists between Rick Ross or XXL and Louis Vuitton. The third is that counterfeiting is illegal.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to correct the confusion.

Sincerely,
Michael D. Pantalony, Esq.
Louis Vuitton Malletier

Now let me make something clear: I am no snob. I totally understand that luxury items have insane  price-tags and not all have the bank to buy them & if you can find a legit replica of your favorite designer than so be it. But if you're someone like Rick Ross and are appearing on a national magazine, especially on the cover, and you decide to sport a knockoff  (I highly doubt that XXL would supply Mr. Ross with faux-LV stunnas) that's just asking for legal trouble. But Mr. Ross is not the only one at fault here, actually XXL deserves all the shame blame for not doing their homework. Tsk Tsk.

P.S.

Louis Vuitton is suing XXL for this fuckery.