Suited: Where Fashion Law Meets Culture and Politics

We're continuing our conversation with Elmar Stroomer, Founder of Africa Collect Textiles and Sarah Njau, Managing Director of GFS East Africa. In this episode, Sarah and Elmar dive deeper into practical solutions for both textile waste and the overall environmental impact of producing apparel in Kenya for American brands. We also discuss the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) — a trade pre...

The fashion industry faces major changes following President Trump's signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4th, just one day after Congress passed the sweeping budget and tax legislation. In this episode, Suited host Kenya Wiley — former Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee — examines how this new law will impact the busin...

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles are expanding worldwide — from France and the EU to Kenya, the Netherlands and California. But implementing EPR isn't just about government policy; it's also funding and infrastructure needed for textile collection, sorting, and recycling. In this episode of Suited, we explore how circular fashion must operate within a dual market. Take K...

While the World Bank's latest report projects a challenging economic outlook over the next two years, Hamilton Perkins represents a new generation of innovators charting a different course — fusing fashion, science and technology to create jobs and unlock capital connections. Hamilton is the winner of the 2023 Black Ambition Prize, presented by Pharrell Williams, and an alum of the Los Angeles Cle...

In this episode, we sit down with Sarika Bajaj, Co-Founder and CEO of Refiberd, whose groundbreaking technology combines AI and hyperspectral imaging to identify the material composition in textiles for recycling and resale. As the winner of eBay’s 2025 global Circular Fashion Fund, Sarika and her Co-Founder Tushita Gupta are pioneering a new frontier —offering crucial solutions as fashion brands...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Victoria Watkins. As an OG fashion law attorney and blogger, Victoria established one of the first platforms dedicated to fashion law, business, and entertainment over a decade ago. Now, as Founder and Managing Partner of Inrichmint, Victoria sources and manages curated deal flow — connecting investors with creative entrepreneurs looking to scale and bui...

Step into the fascinating world where fashion meets politics as we welcome Jonathan Michael Square for an illuminating conversation on fashion, politics and Black dandyism. Our timely discussion arrives just before the 2025 Met Gala and the Costume Institute's exhibition, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." Dr. Square is the Assistant Professor of Black Visual Culture at Parsons School of Design....

Join us as we sit down with Darnell-Jamal Lisby, the first fashion curator at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA), just days before the 2025 Met Gala and the opening of "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at the Costume Institute. As a fashion historian, Lisby helped organize CMA’s iteration of "The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion" and curated the exhibitions "Egyptomania: Fas...

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Steve Francis. Steve is the former Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) and he is currently the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board at IP House. Drawing on his extensive experience connecting intellectual property and trade, Steve offers expert insights on the tariff turmoil, an end to the de minimi...

In this episode, we're excited to welcome Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk/Cree/Comanche) and Sunshine Big Mountain (Oneida Nation) of Ironhorse Quillwork. Joe Big Mountain is known for his one-of-a-kind quillwork, and in 2024, the Big Mountains co-created with Gucci two custom gowns worn by actor Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) at the 96th Academy Awards and Vanity Fair...

In this special solo episode, Kenya discusses the tea on tariffs and other hot fashion policy issues in Washington — from threats to AGOA and attacks on higher education, to the FTC firings and what this means for fashion tech, labor and small, independent designers. Now is the time to stay connected and be prepared to use every legal tool in your fashion law toolbox. Connect with Kenya: LinkedIn...

In this episode, we're excited to welcome Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka — the mother and daughter design duo behind House of Aama. Established in 2015 and manufactured in Los Angeles, House of Aama designs timeless pieces infused with heritage, history and storytelling. House of Aama is also the 2021 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist. Rebecca serves as Director of Business and Legal Affairs and Ak...

New York designers are dealing with a lot right now — with the realities of the economy and current political landscape, including tariffs, increased costs for materials, and scarce funding opportunities — all while living in one of the most expensive cities in the world. In this episode, Kenya sits down with Harlem-based designer JUNNY Ann Hibbert to discuss how she built her fashion brand while...

Sports and fashion are more interconnected now than ever, and March Madness is showing just how powerful the two industries are together — particularly for student-athletes. In this episode, Kenya talks with fashion law attorney Daniel Bellizio about his storied career representing iconic designers in luxury and sportswear collaborations, and his current work in talent management at Network — advi...

Naomi Lefkovitz, former Senior Privacy Policy Advisor at NIST and White House Director for Privacy and Civil Liberties, joined the show to discuss how the surge in AI innovation impacts fashion and retail, and what's at stake for brands if they do not incorporate trustworthy and responsible AI. Ms. Lefkovitz played an instrumental role in the implementation of President Biden’s Executive Order on...

Derrick Brent, former U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Acting Director and Deputy Director, joined the show to discuss what DOGE means for fashion creatives and IP protection in the age of AI deregulation. Mr. Brent also discussed why student-athletes are now “businesses” and how fashion brands can be a part of the amazing world of name, image, and likeness (NIL). Suited Newsletter Produced by Sal...

Fashion law and policy expert Kenya Wiley gets to the heart of key legal and political issues impacting the trillion-dollar fashion industry — from production to your purse. Each week, we’ll have unfiltered conversations with government and industry leaders, diving deep into critical issues like AI's impact on design, sustainability challenges, social media's transformative power, and the game-cha...