The widely-watched “Sad Beige” lawsuit between influencers Sydney Nicole Gifford and Alyssa Sheil, which captured the attention of influencers and creators everywhere. has finally ended.
In 2024, Gifford accused Sheil of copying her unique minimalist style, muted beige palettes, minimalistic backdrops, and personal appearances, along with her friendly product-promotion tone. The allegations extended beyond just photos, as Gifford alleged Sheil even copied her physical appearance and small personal details. However, Sheil’s legal team argued these styles and aesthetics are common across social media, not owned by any single influencer.
After six weeks of mediation, Gifford ultimately requested to dismiss her case, marking a victory for Sheil. Sheil celebrated the result, stating it was about more than herself, but about protecting young minority entrepreneurs from being bullied out of the industry. Despite this dismissal, the court did initially allow Gifford’s claims to proceed, highlighting that these aesthetic disputes raised new legal questions about whether an influencer’s “look” or online persona can be protected under copyright or trade dress law.
Because the dismissal wasn’t a final verdict, the core legal questions remain unresolved, leaving the influencer and creative industries in a gray area. The case suggests that while copying exact content might be off-limits, drawing inspiration or borrowing a general aesthetic is still fair game, at least for now.
For Gifford and Sheil, life goes on: Sydney recently welcomed her first child and is still sharing her signature style, while Alyssa says the hardest year and a half of her life is officially behind her.
