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Fashion tech lawyers
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.
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.
How we can help
With experience advising some of the world’s best-known brands, we can help you to devise brand guidelines, protect your brand identity and monitor your portfolio – enforcing your rights as needed.
Commercial agreementsProperly structured agreements will protect and advance your interests. With knowledge across sectors such as luxury brands, sport and the arts, we draft contracts that work for the long term.
Corporate structuring and planningWe help a range of organizations, from multinational companies to hedge funds to family offices, to find – or if necessary create – the corporate structures that work most effectively for them.
From negotiating contracts to advising on the best way to handle a crisis, our highly experienced employment lawyers are here to help, working for employers and senior executives alike.
Mergers and acquisitionsOur team has acted in the full range of transactions, getting the deal done quickly, within regulations and with minimal fuss.
Our lawyers have experience with all kinds of property transactions. Whether you’re a business building a global presence, or an individual looking to acquire a new home, we’re here to help.
Venture CapitalOur global team of Withers tech venture capital advisors has the skills and in-depth knowledge of the market to help investors and emerging companies navigate every stage of fundraising.
Clients include
The Global Rethinkers
People. Purpose. Progress
The most powerful forces for change come from rethinking. Without challenging the status quo we can't hope for change in business, in our communities or society at large.
We're getting behind some of the founders and innovators who are changing our world.
Check out our hub to find out more.
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Defining moments
Exploring stories of success with the Financial Times.
Defining moments see leading founders and CEOs share the events and influences that shaped their careers and turned them into leaders.
Our team
Gina Bibby
Partner | Los Angeles
Graham Webster
Partner | London
Sarah Melaney
Partner | London
James Shaw
Partner | London
Jacopo Liguori
Partner | Milan
Jonathan Kok
Partner | Singapore
Sergio Anania
Partner | Milan
Amy Carter
Senior associate | London
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.
Partnerships
Insight
Typical clients and industries include
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
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
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 MoreGet 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.