This morning, WWD reported a collaboration between LA based denim brand Current Eliot and Marni, the Italian luxury house designed by Consuelo Castiglioni.

Serge Azria, who owns Joie which in turn backs Current/Eliot, mentioned that the designers, Emily Current and Merrit Eliot, had nothing to do with the collaboration whatsoever. But he was, “thrilled for the opportunity to work with Castiglioni.”

If it sounds like he’s trying to push the girls, who are also respected stylists, out of their business, it’s because sources say he is.

Emily & Merrit, who design Current/Elliot without a design team or even a design assistant, played a crucial role in the collaboration with Marni. A source says, “The ‘collaboration’s’ basically Consuelo’s embellishment on Current/Elliott’s now legendary boyfriend jean. Their [Emily and Meritt’s] involvement in this collaboration is undeniable.”

He went on to clarify that the duo’s “involved in every last detail of their brand and are still the active Creative Directors and Designers.”

So why are they being pushed out? They’re about as famous and successful as fashion stylists get and their brand would cease to exist–at least in its current form–without them.