Clothes shops opposite St. Paul's Cathedral in London

> Experience > Sectors and focus areas > Fashion

Fashion lawyers

We have worked with some of the biggest names in fashion for over 30 years. Our lawyers take pride in matching the ambition and creativity of our clients and helping them meet their long-term aspirations, secure their brand, and grow their business.

The fashion industry is one of the most influential and creative business sectors to be part of. It has created iconic styles that have defined periods of time, individuals and organizations on both a global and local level.

We strive to match the ambition, determination and creativity of our clients in fashion and work with them to grow. They rely on us for our ability to help them meet their long term aspirations, safeguard their success and maintain it for the future.
 

Creating solutions for you

Fashion and design today is about having an idea and then venturing out into the market place with something unique to show the world, whether in a flagship store, through the media or via online trading, reaping the rewards of your creativity.  Our role is to guide you through the myriad of challenges along the way.

We are proud to be able to say that have been assisting some of the most prestigious names in the worlds of fashion, fragrance and beauty for more than 30 years.  While we advise you on how best to deal with your legal needs, you can get on with what you do best.
 

Protecting your creations now and in the future

We understand that behind every well-tailored suit, dramatically ripped pair of jeans, anatomically designed pair of trainers or elegant new scent are creative individuals with long term aspirations and the desire to pass on their success to families and loved ones.

Structuring and succession planning is vital for ensuring you make the most of your success and your future plans are carried out according to your wishes.
Play video

Vogue Business Founders' Forum

Innovation, sustainability, embracing technology and AI, focusing on intentional stable growth, and investing in customer oriented retail were all important themes at the Vogue Business Founders' Forum in Los Angeles.

We were thrilled to partner with Vogue Business for this exciting and insightful event, featuring a number of our founder clients and contacts. 

Photographed by Carsten Schertzer for David Jon Photography.

VOGUE BUSINESS FOUNDERS FORUM

How we can help

Track record

International athletic apparel company

Represented an international athletic apparel company headquartered in Canada and listed on NASDAQ in connection with the commercial lease of its flagship store and other stores and tender document for the airport tenancy in Hong Kong.

Alleged unfair competition

Assisted the retail and wholesale companies of a well-known fashion group in proceedings for alleged unfair competition brought before the Court of Milan by an Italian company which owns numerous multi-brands stores in Italy and acted as a wholesaler in Italy for various products of the fashion group we assist.

Acquisition of a Shenzhen apparel business and joint venture

We advised a PRC-based, Hong Kong-listed fashion group in its acquisition of a Shenzhen apparel business and proposed joint venture with an Italian fashion group.

British perfume house's expansion in Asia-Pacific

We acted for a famous British perfume house in relation to its expansion in Asia-Pacific, including retail lease agreements in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan; commercial matters; and restructuring of the group companies.

Moving a fashion design business to the US

Represented a Canadian native and prominent fashion designer in immigrating to the United States. We helped the designer create her entrepreneurial business structure and supported her brand through multi-jurisdictional intellectual property advice to protect the trademark and key designs. We continue to provide employment and commercial advice as the business grows.

French fashion house

We assisted the Italian subsidiary of a renowned French fashion house in relation to the management of their brand under new Patent Box regulations

Anya Hindmarch (t/a A.S.H.S.)

A.S.H.S. is a well-known English fashion house. We have provided strategic advice to the luxury brand on a number of high level employment issues.

Thor Equities and Invesco

Via della Spiga 26 is a beautiful building in the 'golden triangle' of Milan, housing Dolce & Gabbana's flagship store as well as the offices of Tiffany & Co. We helped Thor Equities and Invesco to acquire the site, negotiating with a family who had held the property for generations and were initially locked in dispute between themselves. Our clients and the vendors were grateful for our help in brokering what had seemed an impossible deal.

Acquisition of a Shenzhen apparel business and joint venture

We advised a PRC-based, Hong Kong-listed fashion group in its acquisition of a Shenzhen apparel business and proposed joint venture with an Italian fashion group.

British perfume house's expansion in Asia-Pacific

We acted for a famous British perfume house in relation to its expansion in Asia-Pacific, including retail lease agreements in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan; commercial matters; and restructuring of the group companies.

Acquisition of a Shenzhen apparel business and joint venture

We advised a PRC-based, Hong Kong-listed fashion group in its acquisition of a Shenzhen apparel business and proposed joint venture with an Italian fashion group.

French fashion house

We assisted the Italian subsidiary of a renowned French fashion house in relation to the management of their brand under new Patent Box regulations

Anya Hindmarch (t/a A.S.H.S.)

A.S.H.S. is a well-known English fashion house. We have provided strategic advice to the luxury brand on a number of high level employment issues.

Thor Equities and Invesco

Via della Spiga 26 is a beautiful building in the 'golden triangle' of Milan, housing Dolce & Gabbana's flagship store as well as the offices of Tiffany & Co. We helped Thor Equities and Invesco to acquire the site, negotiating with a family who had held the property for generations and were initially locked in dispute between themselves. Our clients and the vendors were grateful for our help in brokering what had seemed an impossible deal.

Italian fashion designer Max Mara

Max Mara is a renowned luxury Italian fashion house with stores around the globe, including across the United States. The group approached Withers for help with its employment needs, advising on the implementation of employee policies and risk management strategies. We were also pleased to suggest and develop store manager training sessions, and we successfully assisted in defending the company against wrongful termination claims.

Camera della Moda

Camera della Moda is a non-profit organisation specialising in the promotion and support of the Italian fashion industry and young designers. The organization was challenged about the domain name for their website, and we successfully defended this allowing them to carry on building their online profile. Withers have a long-standing relationship with Camera della Moda, and together we help to support them in brand protection and the IP of the brands they represent.

The founder of an online clothing business

The founder of this highly successful online clothing retail business wanted to sell a large stake to a leading luxury goods conglomerate. As the go-to law firm for fashion entrepreneurs, Withers was brought in to ensure that the value of our client's stake was protected and negotiate a fresh incentive package. We then worked to achieve a tax-efficient strategy for the disposal of part of the founder's interest.

DieselReboot by Diesel

Withers is proud to have represented global Italian retailer Diesel during the launch of their reinventive new brand DieselReboot. During the launch, Withers worked alongside Diesel's newly appointed artistic director Nicola Formichetti and advised on the brand's new aims to 'rediscover and reactive the DNA of Diesel'.

Moving a fashion design business to the US

Represented a Canadian native and prominent fashion designer in immigrating to the United States. We helped the designer create her entrepreneurial business structure and supported her brand through multi-jurisdictional intellectual property advice to protect the trademark and key designs. We continue to provide employment and commercial advice as the business grows.

Italian fashion designer Max Mara

Max Mara is a renowned luxury Italian fashion house with stores around the globe, including across the United States. The group approached Withers for help with its employment needs, advising on the implementation of employee policies and risk management strategies. We were also pleased to suggest and develop store manager training sessions, and we successfully assisted in defending the company against wrongful termination claims.

The CEO of a globally recognized jewelry brand

This well-known, publicly held brand has more than 1,200 retail outlets throughout the US. We negotiated a new package (valued in excess of $2 million annually) on behalf of the incoming chief executive.

Max Mara - Jennifer Garner campaign

Italian fashion house Max Mara has a long history of designing luxury couture clothing and has a strong reputation as one of the world's top fashion brands. When their latest campaign involved offering American screen actress Jennifer Garner the opportunity to be the face of their new sunglasses range, Withers was there to assist and provide advice for the agreement.

Our team

Gina Bibby

Gina Bibby

Partner | Los Angeles

Gina Bibby

Partner | Los Angeles

IP, commercial and technology

Carlo Alberto Demichelis

Carlo Alberto Demichelis

Partner | Milan

Carlo Alberto Demichelis

Partner | Milan

IP, commercial and technology

Jacopo Liguori

Jacopo Liguori

Partner | Milan

Jacopo Liguori

Partner | Milan

IP, commercial and technology

Lesley Timms

Lesley Timms

Partner | London

Lesley Timms

Partner | London

Litigation and arbitration

Graham Webster

Graham Webster

Partner | London

Graham Webster

Partner | London

Corporate

Sharon Whitehouse

Sharon Whitehouse

Partner | London

Sharon Whitehouse

Partner | London

Corporate

Ann M. Wicks

Ann M. Wicks

Partner | San Francisco

Ann M. Wicks

Partner | San Francisco

Corporate

Insight

Join the club

We have lots more news and information that you'll find informative and useful. Let us know what you're interested in and we'll keep you up to date on the issues that matter to you.

Sign up here

Typical clients and industries include

Printed circuit board futuristic server

Crypto and digital assets

Well versed in both the legal and technical languages of decentralized finance, our global team can support anyone wanting to navigate the fast-changing world of blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital assets. Find Out More
Fashion tech lab containing mannequin with mathematical and chemical formulas over it

Fashion Tech

Artificial intelligence, 3D printing and virtual reality are transforming fashion. We help our clients stay at the forefront of innovation thanks to our in-depth fashion and tech experience. Find Out More

Get in touch

Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.

Get in touch