Harli and Harpa: Lawsuit, Quality Concerns & Brand Meaning

If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram lately, you’ve likely come across Harli + Harpa — a fast-growing Australian jewellery brand with a boldly modern look and a promise of waterproof jewellery that doesn’t tarnish — but behind the glossy posts the brand is facing serious questions, from a lawsuit filed by jewellery giant Lovisa to customer reports of green ears and fading gold. Here’s what we know about the brand, the legal trouble, and whether the products actually live up to the hype.

Global stores: Approaching 60 ·
Legal status: Lawsuit filed by Lovisa ·
Product claim: Waterproof jewellery ·
Customer feedback: Mixed (tarnish complaints on Reddit)

Seven key facts at a glance, spanning everything from headquarters to legal disputes — one pattern: a fast-rising brand with as many questions as answers.

Are Harli and Harpa the same as Lovisa?

Brand positioning in the Australian jewellery market

No, Harli + Harpa is an independent brand, not part of Lovisa. It was launched in late 2024 by former Lovisa CEO Shane Fallscheer, who spent 12 years leading the fast-fashion jewellery chain before stepping down in October 2021 (Inside Retail Australia). Harli + Harpa positions itself as a more accessible, everyday colour-brand: its tagline is “Your walk-in jewellery box.” The brand targets young women with trendy, affordable pieces, often sold in bright, open-plan storefronts inside shopping centres.

Lovisa, by contrast, operates more than 700 stores worldwide and is publicly listed on the ASX. While both sell affordable jewellery, Harli + Harpa’s emphasis on “waterproof” materials and its rapid physical expansion — 18 stores opened in the final weeks of 2024 alone (Jeweller Magazine) — sets it apart.

Legal dispute between Harli and Harpa and Lovisa

In early 2025, Lovisa filed a lawsuit against Harli + Harpa, though the exact grounds have not been made public (Jeweller Magazine). The case was listed for a directions hearing in the Federal Circuit Court in February 2025. Neither Lovisa nor Harli + Harpa have commented on the substance of the claim.

The implication: legal action from a corporate giant against a startup built by its former CEO signals that the battle for the affordable jewellery customer is intensifying — and that IP or trade secrets could be at stake.

“Rapidly rising jewellery brand faces legal headache”

— Jeweller Magazine (industry publication)

A quick comparison of the two brands, one pattern: Harli + Harpa is smaller but growing fast, while Lovisa is the established giant.

The pattern: Harli + Harpa is deliberately carving out a niche with a waterproof promise that Lovisa doesn’t make — but that very promise is now under scrutiny from both consumers and the courts.

Are Harli and Harpa real?

Background of the brand

Yes, Harli + Harpa is a registered Australian jewellery brand with a real website, a physical store network, and a growing social media presence. The company was launched by Shane Fallscheer, former CEO of Lovisa, with the first stores opening in late 2024 (Inside Retail Australia). The brand is incorporated and operates from a head office in Hawthorn East, Victoria.

Its Instagram account (@harliandharpa) has thousands of followers and regularly posts product launches and store openings. Customer reviews exist on the brand’s own site via the Junip platform, as well as on third-party sites like ProductReview.com.au and Reddit.

Public perception and social media presence

Most of the brand’s public presence is positive or neutral, but a handful of negative reviews, especially on Reddit, have drawn attention. One Reddit user on r/AusFemaleFashion reported that “gold earrings turned my ears green after two wears” (Reddit). This single post has been shared widely and now appears in search results for “Harli and Harpa tarnish.”

What this means: the brand is real and growing, but its quality claims are being tested by real customers — and one viral complaint can shape public perception more than a dozen positive reviews.

Do Harli and Harpa earrings tarnish?

Customer experiences with tarnishing

According to customer reports on Reddit, some Harli + Harpa jewellery does tarnish. The most cited example is a pair of gold earrings that allegedly turned the wearer’s ears green after only two uses (Reddit). The post, from the r/AusFemaleFashion subreddit, has dozens of comments — some sharing similar experiences, others defending the brand.

On the brand’s own Junip-powered review page, ratings are mixed. Many customers give 4 or 5 stars, but a minority report issues with discolouration and poor durability. There is no independent laboratory testing publicly available to verify the extent of tarnishing across different product lines.

Waterproof claim vs. reality

Harli + Harpa markets itself as “Waterproof Jewellery” across its website and Instagram feed (Harli + Harpa Instagram). The implication is that pieces can be worn in the shower, while swimming, or during exercise without damage. However, no third-party certification or material specification is provided on the site to back this claim. The brand does not disclose the exact metal alloys or coatings used.

The trade-off: a waterproof promise is a powerful differentiator — but if customers find that promise doesn’t hold up, the brand risks losing trust faster than it can open new stores.

The implication: the waterproof promise is a powerful differentiator, but inconsistent customer experiences could undermine trust faster than new store openings.

Where is Harli and Harpa jewelry made?

Manufacturing location details

The brand does not disclose the manufacturing location of its jewellery on its website or in any public materials. Its “About Us” page focuses on the brand story and product promise, not supply chain transparency. Given that the brand is Australian-based but sells at price points typical of mass-produced goods, it is likely that production occurs overseas — possibly in China or Southeast Asia, as is common in the affordable jewellery sector — but this remains unconfirmed.

Supply chain transparency

No sourcing information is publicly available from the brand. Unlike some competitors that advertise “Swarovski crystals” or “925 sterling silver,” Harli + Harpa uses general terms like “high-quality materials” without specifics. This lack of detail makes it difficult for consumers to verify the “waterproof” claim or assess the likelihood of tarnishing based on material composition.

The pattern: in an era where consumers increasingly expect transparency about ethical sourcing and material origins, Harli + Harpa’s silence on manufacturing is a gap that competitors — or regulators — could exploit.

What legal issues is Harli and Harpa facing?

Lawsuit filed by Lovisa

As covered above, Lovisa has initiated legal proceedings against Harli + Harpa. The case was listed for a directions hearing in the Federal Circuit Court in February 2025 (Jeweller Magazine). The precise allegations have not been made public, but legal analysts speculate it could involve trademark infringement, breach of confidence, or misuse of confidential information — given that the founder was previously Lovisa’s CEO.

Lawsuit by former CEO Cass Fuller

In a separate legal action, Cass Fuller — appointed CEO of Harli + Harpa in September 2024 — is suing the company for alleged unpaid wages and superannuation (Jeweller Magazine). Court documents reportedly show Fuller is seeking more than $100,000 in compensation for alleged breach of contract. Fuller claims she was to be paid $500,000 per year until October 2025, and that her employment could only be terminated without notice in cases of fraud or misconduct. She alleges the company terminated her without proper notice.

The case was listed for directions in February, and both Maurice Blackburn Lawyers (representing Fuller) and Shane Fallscheer declined to comment. The reporting notes it is still unclear what led to the split between Fuller and Fallscheer (Jeweller Magazine).

What does the name Harli and Harpa mean?

Origin of “Harpa” in Icelandic

The name “Harpa” is an Icelandic word meaning “harp” (Wikipedia). It is also the name of a well-known concert hall in Reykjavík. The brand likely chose it for its melodic, memorable quality and its connection to Icelandic culture — though there is no public explanation from the founders.

Brand’s naming story

The first part “Harli” does not appear to have a direct dictionary meaning; it may be a variant of “Harley” or an invented name. Together, “Harli and Harpa” sounds like a pair of names, which aligns with the brand’s friendly, approachable image. The brand has not officially explained the etymology, but the Icelandic reference gives “Harpa” a distinct cultural touch that differentiates it from typical jewellery brand names.

The pattern: a clever name does not substitute for product reliability or legal clarity.

“My gold earrings turned my ears green after two wears.”

— Reddit user in r/AusFemaleFashion (source)

“Rapidly rising jewellery brand faces legal headache”

— Jeweller Magazine (industry publication)

“Court documents show Fuller is seeking more than $100,000 in compensation for alleged breach of contract.”

— Jeweller Magazine (industry publication)

Harli + Harpa is a real, fast-expanding brand that has carved out a distinct position with its waterproof promise. But that promise is not yet independently verified, and early customer reports suggest inconsistencies. Meanwhile, the brand is fighting legal battles on two fronts — one from the industry giant Lovisa, and one from its own former CEO. For shoppers in Australia and beyond, the choice is clear: buy with caution, or wait for independent proof that the jewellery truly holds up. For the brand itself, the next 12 months will determine whether its rapid store rollout is a sign of lasting success or a sprint that its legal and quality problems will eventually catch.