Fashion Law Network

Would you pay almost $30 for a smoothie? Welcome to the high-stakes, hyper-aesthetic world of luxury grocery shopping. In this episode, I am diving deep into the phenomenon of high-end supermarkets, with a front-row look at the ultimate status symbol of grocery stores: Erewhon . I break down how a health food store became Hollywood’s hottest runway, the fascinating psychology behind luxury consume...

This episode is all about Hermes and the recent updates regarding the 2024 antitrust class action lawsuit filed in California alleging that Hermes is engaging in anticompetitive activities relating to the sale of the Hermes Birkin handbags. I provide my legal analysis and discussion on the lawsuit and all the updates (including an appeal by Hermes) which includes Hermes' alleged practice of re...

This episode is all about the implications of the Iran War on the fashion industry, the sweeping US tarrifs and the recent change to the "de minimis $800" loophole. During the second half of the episode I discuss and analyze the recent UK based trademarking infringement lawsuit Estee Lauder v. Jo Malone which is all about the implications of a personal name as a trademark. Enjoy and than...

This episode is all about the luxury Saks Fifth Avenue department store and the recent chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. I break down how Saks Global went from Manhattan icon to bankruptcy court in record time, drowning in junk bonds, unpaid vendor bills, and a 'death spiral' of empty shelves and what a stripped-down, restructured future looks like for high-end retail. Enjoy and thank you for...

This episode is all about the cut-throat world of feuding luxury furniture design houses with a focus on Restoration Hardware (RH). I begin the episode with some background history of Restoration Hardware, namely, how it transformed from a humble hardware store to a billion dollar empire. Then I discuss and analyze three recent lawsuits involing trade dress and copyright infringement that RH has b...

This episode is all about the Gucci fashion house and the downturn the brand has been experiencing. I begin the episode with recent news at Gucci and then provide a  brief history of the Gucci fashion house. Next, I provide a discussion and legal analysis of the Gucci v. Guess nine year long legal battle and then and I conclude the episode with an update on the recent Gucci v. Lord and Taylor laws...

This episide is all about Neiman Marcus, and the significant changes as the store operates under its new owner, Saks Global, following a $2.7 billion acquisition and much more. In the second half of the episode I provide my legal analysis and discussion about a recent lawsuit involving Net-a-Porter founder, Natalie Massenet, which is shocking the fashion world. Episode Notes: 1. Massenet v. Torste...

This episode features a very special guest, Erik Brunetti, founder of one of the most influential streetwear brands - Fuct. When Erik's trademark application for 'Fuct' was denied numerous times by the USPTO due allegedly being “scandalous and immoral,” he became impassioned and ended up taking his case all the way to the Supreme Court (alongside his attorney, John Sommers) winning the ultimate ba...

On this episode I discuss the recently imposed tariffs on goods from abroad, including a detailed tariff timeline, the impact the tariffs may have on the luxury fashion sector, namely, how these  tariffs are likely to increase the demand for secondhand luxury goods. At the end of the episode I provide a legal discussion and analysis on the recent update to the landmark secondhand luxury goods case...

"Ski fashion" is one the season's hottest trends, even for brands that previously had no ties to winter sports. I discuss the top luxury ski fashion brands, with a focus on Moncler, and then provide a discussion and my legal analysis on a recent lawsuit Moncler filed against 175 online-store defendants for trademark infringement (Moncler S.p. A. v. abc2688793 et al. 1:23-cv-05378). E...

This episode is all about influencers, social media aesthetics and the "first of it's kind" lawsuit centering on the scope of protection attached to a personalized social media aesthetic. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: Gifford v. Sheil, 1:24-cv-00423 (W.D. Tex.)

This episode is all about the Chloe fashion house and it's recent comeback with the signature boho-chic style. I begin with a background of the Chloe fashion house and the Richemont luxury conglomerate which owns Chloe. Then I discuss some recent trademarks and patents owned by Chloe and I end the episode with a discussion of the French lawsuit Richemont v. Louis Vuitton which centers on the Alham...

This episode is all about the fast fashion industry which is on fire, both literally and figuratively, due to its popularity and the associated negative environmental impacts. I begin the episode with a synopsis of the fast fashion landscape, focusing on Zara and then discuss a slew of new legislation aimed at fast fashion. I conclude the episode with an overview of lawsuits involving Zara. Enjoy...

This episode is all about the viral “underconsumption core” trend and how it relates to luxury fashion. I also discuss the most-wanted quiet luxury item, the Hermes Shadow Birkin and then provide an update and my legal analysis/discussion of the Hermes antitrust class action lawsuit filed in California In 2024. Enjoy and thank you for listening!

This episode is all about the recent changes at the Chanel fashion house, namely, the parting ways of artistic director, Virginie Viard with the Chanel fashion house. I discuss employment law, private vs. public company rules/regulations in both the United States and France as they relate to the Chanel fashion house and then provide a history of Chanel at the end of the episode. Enjoy and thank yo...

This is a special episode featuring Olga Florida, the founder of Swiss-based fashion line, Cosy Sunday. The Cosy Sunday fashion line debuted at Milan Fashion Week in February of 2024 and is focused on sustainability. On this episode we discuss Olga's inspiration for the fashion line, the challenges she faced along the way and the importance of me time in our fast paced world. Enjoy and thank y...

This is a special episode featuring author, Alexandra Lange, who wrote one of my favorite books, Meet Me by the Fountain all about the inside history of shopping malls. We discuss our favorite mall architecture, current state of malls, future trends and much more! Enjoy and thank you for listening!

This episode is all about Hermes and the recent antitrust class action lawsuit filed in California alleging that Hermes is engaging in anticompetitive activities relating to the sale of the Hermes Birkin handbags. I provide my legal analysis and discussion on the lawsuit which includes Hermes' alleged practice of requiring customers to spend thousand on ancillary products before obtaining an o...

This episode is a deep dive into the recent legal battle that Chanel won against luxury reseller, What Goes Around Comes Around. I provide a timeline of the legal battle, my legal analysis of the recent jury trial and verdict (Chanel v. What Goes Around Comes Around) and a discussion on the future of the luxury reselling landscape. Enjoy and thank you for listening! The Fashion Law Network podcast...

This episode is all about the Burberry fashion house. I begin with a brief history of the brand and then discuss patent and trademark law in relation to Burberry. I end the episode with my legal analysis and discussion of a trademark opposition involving Burberry Limited and Mattel's "Barbie" trademarks. Enjoy and thank you for listening.  The Fashion Law Network podcast and statemen...

Not Farfetch anymore! This episode is a follow up to my "Who's The Fairest of Them All" Pt. 1 episode when Farfetch was all the rage. How things have changed in a span of barely 2 years... listen to find out what happened to this former #1 ecommerce luxury online platform! I begin with a background of the Farfetch company, the recent events at the company and then I provide a legal d...

This episode is all about the recent news of various luxury fashion houses reporting a major sales slump- is the "luxury party" over? I begin this episode with various fashion houses sales news with a focus on the largest luxury conglomerate, LVMH. Then I provide an in-depth legal discussion and analysis on three lawsuits that Gucci filed last week against Century 21, Lord&Taylor and...

This is a special episode of the podcast series with a featured fashion guest, James Keith. James it the owner of the luxury accessories line, Keith James. His line rose to fame from his signature "red bottom" hats/fedoras for men and women and has now expanded into various other accessories. On this episode we discuss the concept of quiet luxury, trade dress trademark protection, James&...

I am back with the first episode of Season 6! I begin this episode with some background history of the Chanel fashion house  then discuss general patent law and analyze a few interesting recent patent and trademarks which are owned by Chanel. In the second half of the  episode I discuss and analyze the many lawsuit filings Chanel has been busy with over the summer and at the end of episode I provi...

This episode is all about the Balenciaga fashion house. I begin with a brief history of the fashion house, followed by a discussion of patent and trademark law in relation to Balenciaga and finally, I provide my legal analysis of two recent, interesting intellectual property-based lawsuits that the fashion house has been involved with. The first lawsuit I analyze is City Merchandise Inc., v. Balen...