Dualstar Entertainment Group, the company owned by child stars-turned-fashion designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, has said it will "vigorously defend" a class action lawsuit taken by former interns.
The interns allege they worked 50-hour weeks doing menial tasks without receiving payment.
Under the US' Fair Labor Standards Act, interns do not have to be paid at for-profit companies if their internship is "for the benefit of the intern" and "similar to training which would be given in an educational environment".
The lawsuit alleges that because the interns were doing the same work as remunerated employees, without academic or vocational benefit, they should have been paid.
In a statement to newspaper USA Today, Dualstar spokesperson Annett Wolf said: "As an initial matter, Dualstar is an organization that is committed to treating all individuals fairly and in accordance with all applicable laws."
She continued: "The allegations in the complaint filed against Dualstar are groundless, and Dualstar will vigorously defend itself against plaintiff's claims in court, not before the media. Dualstar is confident that once the true facts of this case are revealed, the lawsuit will be dismissed in its entirety."
The lead plaintiff in the case is former design intern Shahista Lalani, who did not work directly for the Olsens but worked at the twins' label The Row for five months.
In Manhattan Supreme Court papers Lalani alleges her work consisted of "inputting data into spreadsheets, making tech sheets, running personal errands for paid employees, organizing materials, photocopying, sewing, pattern cutting, among other related duties".
The action against the Olsens' company is the latest in a long line of lawsuits in the US taken against media and fashion firms by former interns.
