Episodes
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Pretty Scary: The Dark Side of Beauty Law
In this special Halloween episode of Fashion Law Network, we uncover the darker side of the beauty industry. From Sephora’s clean beauty controversies and greenwashing lawsuits to counterfeit cosmetics, Halloween makeup, and FDA regulations, we explore the legal issues lurking beneath the surface...
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From Cashmere to Courtrooms: Loro Piana
In this episode I take a closer look at Loro Piana, the Italian fashion house synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship, rare materials, and quiet luxury. I begin with a brief history of the brand and its rise to become one of the world’s most prestigious luxury houses before diving into the...
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Aisle By Luxury: Grocery Store Edition
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...
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Birkin Bag Barriers: Pt. 2
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…
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War on Fashion
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...
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The Unraveling of Saks Fifth Avenue
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…
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The Furniture Wars
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...
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Gucci Crisis
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...
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Trouble at Neiman's
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…
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"Fuct'" Yeah! Success at the Supreme Court
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…
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Luxury Shrink in Wake of Tariff Turmoil
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...
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Luxury Ski Fashion
"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...
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Don't Copy My Social Media Aesthetic!
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.)
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Chloe's Comeback
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…
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Fast Fashion is on Fire
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...
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Underconsumption Core
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...
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Chanel Shake Up
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...
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Cosy Sunday Fashion
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…
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Meet Me by the Fountain
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!
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Hermes Birkin Bag Barriers
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'...
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#ChanelWins
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…
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BRBY
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"...
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Who's the Fairest of Them All? Pt. 2
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…
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Luxury Slump
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...
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Red Bottom Hats
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...
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Chanel Premiere
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...
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I Like Those Balenciagas
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…
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Drop Dead Gorgeous
This episode is all about the world of beauty pageants with a legal spin. This episode features a very special guest, Caitlin Machol, a former Miss USA contestant and Miss Wisconsin titleholder. I begin the episode by providing some background information on the famous, Miss USA, Miss Universe…
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The Rise and Fall of Intermix
This episode is all about the luxury multi-designer retail store, Intermix and their recent store closings. I begin the episode with a brief history of the Intermix company which begins in 1993, then I discuss the change in owners of the Intermix company including the acquisition by a private...
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Parody or Infringement? No Laughing Matter
This episode is all about trademark parodies in the context of fashion law. I begin this episode with a brief background of trademark law and the parody defense, next I discuss a few intellectual property parody lawsuits involving Louis Vuitton (Louis Vuitton v. Haute Diggity Dog , Louis Vuitton…
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Is Secondhand Luxury Still on Fire?
The RealReal lit the fuse in the secondhand luxury market sector but is the fire dying down now? On this episode I discuss the current state of the secondhand luxury market including a brief background of unique The RealReal business model and provide my legal analysis and discussion of an...
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Luxury Acquisitions
This episode is all about the recent mergers and acquisitions in the luxury fashion space, namely, the Farfetch company and their acquisition of the Yoox-Net-a-Porter Group (YNAP). On this episode, I discuss the history and brief biography of the owner and founder of the Farfetch company and…
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Interview with a USPTO Director
This is a special episode featuring Mr. Andrei Iancu, the former director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). We begin our discussion with a background and interesting details about the USPTO, the launch of the Council For Innovation Promotion and the value of patents. Then…
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Dolce & Banana?
This episode is all about the Dolce & Gabbana fashion house. I begin with a brief history of the brand and then discuss patent and trademark law in relation to Dolce & Gabbana. I end the episode with my legal analysis and discussion of a trademark infringement situation involving Dolce & Gabbana...
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Neiman Marcus for the Win
How is luxury department store Neiman Marcus thriving when most department stores are struggling at unprecedented levels? I answer this question and much more on this episode. I also provide my legal analysis, discussion and update on the Neiman Marcus legal battle with (now closed) hedge fund...
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Symphony of Scents
This episode is all about the world of luxury fragrances with a focus on the famous Chanel No. 5 perfume. I begin with a brief history of the Chanel No. 5 perfume then discuss various forms of legal protection for fragrances and end the episode with a legal analysis of a recent lawsuit centering…
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War Of The Red Soled Stilettos
This episode is all about the luxury fashion house of Christian Louboutin. I begin with some brief history of the Louboutin fashion house, then discuss patents and trademarks in relation to Louboutin. Finally, I discuss and provide a legal analysis of the landmark lawsuit over the red soled...
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Cartier Love
This episode is all about the luxury jewelry house of Cartier. I begin with some brief history of the Cartier fashion house, then discuss trademark and trade dress law in relation to Cartier. Finally, I discuss and provide a legal analysis of the new lawsuit initiated by Cartier and Amazon…
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Signature Balmain
This episode is all about the Balmain fashion house. I begin with some recent Balmain news and then provide a brief history of the fashion house. Next, I discuss and analyze a few interesting patents and trademarks owned by Balmain. Finally, I provide my legal analysis of two intellectual…
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Post Pandemic Luxury Boom
This episode is all about the post pandemic luxury sales boom many stores are currently experiencing, with a focus on famed American department store, Saks Fifth Avenue. Enjoy and thank you for listening. Episode notes: 1. Giordano v. Saks Inc., 1:20-cv-00833, (E.D.N.Y.) 2. Beauty Holdings LLC,...
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Magic Missoni
This episode is all about the Missoni fashion house. I begin with some brief history of Missoni, then I discuss the concept of patent inventorship and analyze some interesting patents and trademarks that Missoni owns. Finally, I provide my legal analysis of a situation where a non-inventor filed...
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Dark Side of Luxury Fashion: Counterfeiting Horror Stories
This episode is all about luxury fashion counterfeiting. I provide some background information about the world of counterfeiting and discuss the latest U.S. Intellectual Property and Counterfeit Goods— Landscape Review of Existing/Emerging Research document. Then, I provide my legal analysis of...
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Cult of Hermes
This episode is all about the Hermes fashion house featuring a special guest, Cheryl, a fellow patent attorney and Hermes connoisseur. Cheryl and I are fascinated by the fact that Hermes rarely advertises but remains one of the top performing luxury fashion houses, they even surpassed their usual...
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Chloe: Neo Couture Cool
This episode is all about the Chloe luxury fashion house. I begin with some history of Chloe and Richemont, then discuss the interesting patents and trademarks owned by the fashion house and then discuss and analyze Chloe's recent B-Corp Certification. Finally, I discuss and analyze a trademark...
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Chanel vs. The Secondary Market
And just like that...I'm back with season 4 of the podcast series! This episode is about yet another trademark infringement lawsuit Chanel is embroiled in involving a secondary market reseller, an independent US based jewelry company which was selling jewelry using repurposed Chanel buttons. I…
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Prada Please
This episode is all about the Prada fashion house. I begin with some history of Prada, then discuss the interesting patents and trademarks owned by Prada and then discuss and analyze a European trademark infringement case involving the Prada trademark and an Indonesian company seeking to…
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All Things NFT (through the lens of a patent lawyer)
This episode is all about NFT, non-fungible tokens featuring a special guest, California based patent attorney and NFT legal expert, Irene Lee. For the past 20 years she has focused her practice on all aspects of intellectual property, including patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and…
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LVMH, Tiffany's, Mergers and Acquisitions Oh My!
This episode all about mergers, acquisitions and the recent LVMH/Tiffany acquisition. This is a special episode featuring an interview and discussion with Laura Noroski, a corporate transactional attorney in Orange County, California who is well-versed in merger and acquisition law. Enjoy and…
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Celine v. Celine
This episode is all about the Celine fashion house. I begin with some brief history of the fashion house which started back in 1945, with a focus on the controversy when creative director Hedi Slimane took the helm in 2018. Then I discuss some brief patent and trademark law and how it relates to...
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Survival of the Fittest: Retail Edition
This episode is all about the natural selection process in the retail industry. I focus my analysis on one endangered species in particular, the shopping mall. I begin with some background information and history on American shopping malls and discuss a few recent mall lawsuits. Then I discuss...