Fashion tech lab containing mannequin with mathematical and chemical formulas over it

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Fashion tech lawyers

Artificial intelligence, 3D printing and virtual reality are transforming the fashion industry. We help clients stay at the forefront of innovation in apparel design thanks to years of work in fashion, and insight from our thriving technology practice.

Our fashion tech lawyers advise founders, emerging companies and established brands at the intersection of fashion and technology.

Innovation in the metaverse; sustainable apparel and manufacturing; sustainable textile upcycling; artificial intelligence; augmented reality; virtual reality; virtual shopping; robotics; 3D technology such as 3D printed apparel and 3D apparel design; wearables; smart, technical, bioengineered and chemically engineered fabrics and beyond are transforming the fashion and apparel industry, from the supply chain and how clothes are made and worn to the materials used and how we shop. 

Our fashion tech law practice, which combines our technology experience with our deep fashion knowledge, is a practice for this changing world.

We act as trusted advisors to fashion tech clients on issues over the entire innovation life cycle. This includes intellectual property rights protection, corporate formation and capital raising, venture capital, investment advice and negotiations, corporate governance, technology transactions, licensing, commercial agreements, data protection, employment and compensation, real estate, brand and media reputation, privacy, dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, tax, restructuring, and social and impact investing.

Our global practice, with offices in the US, Asia and Europe and including in the major fashion and technology centers of Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, London, Milan, Hong Kong and Singapore, allows our fashion tech lawyers to meet and support fashion tech clients where the momentum is taking place.

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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

Our team

Gina Bibby

Gina Bibby

Partner | Los Angeles

Gina Bibby

Partner | Los Angeles

IP, commercial and technology

Graham Webster

Graham Webster

Partner | London

Graham Webster

Partner | London

Corporate

Sarah Melaney

Sarah Melaney

Partner | London

Sarah Melaney

Partner | London

Corporate

James Shaw

James Shaw

Partner | London

James Shaw

Partner | London

Corporate

Jacopo Liguori

Jacopo Liguori

Partner | Milan

Jacopo Liguori

Partner | Milan

IP, commercial and technology

Jonathan Kok

Jonathan Kok

Partner | Singapore

Jonathan Kok

Partner | Singapore

Technology and intellectual property

Sergio Anania

Sergio Anania

Partner | Milan

Sergio Anania

Partner | Milan

Banking and finance

Amy Carter

Amy Carter

Senior associate | London

Amy Carter

Senior associate | London

Charities

Track record

Los Angeles fashion and apparel company

Our attorneys obtained a voluntary dismissal of a patent infringement lawsuit against a Los Angeles-based fashion and apparel client. The case began after a New York-based fashion and apparel company filed a lawsuit against our client. The dismissal was obtained after months of vigorous discussions with opposing counsel and on the eve of discovery.

Italian start-up

Assisting an Italian start-up with the launch of a cloud-based human resource solution for Italian and international businesses.

Leading company in the fashion industry

Setting up the brand protection practice for a leading company in the fashion industry and advising the client on the day by day IP activities such as, managing civil, criminal actions, custom monitoring, parallel imports issues and coordination of counsels in several countries (including China, US, and other EU countries).

Leading luxury fashion group

Advising a leading luxury fashion group in setting up a long lasting joint venture between the portfolio brands and a leading ecommerce player for building up the brands online stores.

$70M investment to fund partnership with Nike

Acted for ETF Partners, who led a $70M investment into E-Leather, a UK-based company developing patented high-tech materials technology. This Series C funding is for their partnership with Nike to develop the Flyleather line.

Advising an online made-to-order company, PlatformE

We advised PlatformE, an online made-to-order platform, in relation to their Series B financing round. We acted for the company, which is looking at supporting sustainability and revolutionising the way brands look at inventory and stock.

Business of Fashion

We acted for the Business of Fashion in relation to their Series B financing round led by the Financial Times. This is a great step in the continuing growth and development for our client.

Fashion blogger

We acted for one of the most renown fashion bloggers in the world. We provided strategic advice for the implementation of the client's e-commerce platform. We also helped in establishing the client-owned group of companies' GDPR compliance program along with the relevant employee's training and ad hoc advice for special fan-interaction projects.

Iconic bags and accessories brand

We conducted a global check on the selective distribution system through the analysis of the relevant agreements. We also provided ad hoc IP and commercial advice.

Italian luxury lifestyle and fashion company

We are assisting a well-known Italian luxury lifestyle and fashion company in respect of their online platform and e-commerce agreement.

Leading company in the fashion industry

Setting up the brand protection practice for a leading company in the fashion industry and advising the client on the day by day IP activities such as, managing civil, criminal actions, custom monitoring, parallel imports issues and coordination of counsels in several countries (including China, US, and other EU countries).

Italian start-up

Assisting an Italian start-up with the launch of a cloud-based human resource solution for Italian and international businesses.

Leading company in the fashion industry

Setting up the brand protection practice for a leading company in the fashion industry and advising the client on the day by day IP activities such as, managing civil, criminal actions, custom monitoring, parallel imports issues and coordination of counsels in several countries (including China, US, and other EU countries).

Leading luxury fashion group

Advising a leading luxury fashion group in setting up a long lasting joint venture between the portfolio brands and a leading ecommerce player for building up the brands online stores.

$70M investment to fund partnership with Nike

Acted for ETF Partners, who led a $70M investment into E-Leather, a UK-based company developing patented high-tech materials technology. This Series C funding is for their partnership with Nike to develop the Flyleather line.

Advising an online made-to-order company, PlatformE

We advised PlatformE, an online made-to-order platform, in relation to their Series B financing round. We acted for the company, which is looking at supporting sustainability and revolutionising the way brands look at inventory and stock.

Business of Fashion

We acted for the Business of Fashion in relation to their Series B financing round led by the Financial Times. This is a great step in the continuing growth and development for our client.

Fashion blogger

We acted for one of the most renown fashion bloggers in the world. We provided strategic advice for the implementation of the client's e-commerce platform. We also helped in establishing the client-owned group of companies' GDPR compliance program along with the relevant employee's training and ad hoc advice for special fan-interaction projects.

Iconic bags and accessories brand

We conducted a global check on the selective distribution system through the analysis of the relevant agreements. We also provided ad hoc IP and commercial advice.

Italian luxury lifestyle and fashion company

We are assisting a well-known Italian luxury lifestyle and fashion company in respect of their online platform and e-commerce agreement.

Online FashionTech platform

We are currently mentoring an online SaaS platform start-up which is aimed at online merchandising and retailers in the fashion industry.

Los Angeles fashion and apparel company

Our attorneys obtained a voluntary dismissal of a patent infringement lawsuit against a Los Angeles-based fashion and apparel client. The case began after a New York-based fashion and apparel company filed a lawsuit against our client. The dismissal was obtained after months of vigorous discussions with opposing counsel and on the eve of discovery.

Leading company in the fashion industry

Setting up the brand protection practice for a leading company in the fashion industry and advising the client on the day by day IP activities such as, managing civil, criminal actions, custom monitoring, parallel imports issues and coordination of counsels in several countries (including China, US, and other EU countries).

$70M investment to fund partnership with Nike

Acted for ETF Partners, who led a $70M investment into E-Leather, a UK-based company developing patented high-tech materials technology. This Series C funding is for their partnership with Nike to develop the Flyleather line.

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.

Insight

Typical clients and industries include

Clothes shops opposite St. Paul's Cathedral in London

Fashion

Having worked with some of the biggest names in fashion, our lawyers strive to match the ambition and creativity of our clients by helping them build their brand and grow their business. Find Out More
Young rich woman about to enter private jet

Luxury brands

Our global team has helped many of the world's finest luxury brands build their businesses and maintain their credibility long-term. Find Out More
Tech start-up office

Technology

Our Withers tech venture capital and technology arm is passionate about technology and thrives on supporting firms of all sizes by taking a ‘more startup’ attitude to solving problems. 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.

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