TFG Exclusive: Profile

Fashion law has been a hot topic this week at TFG, and it comes at a perfect time as Fordham's Fashion Law Institute gears up for its Second Annual Fashion Law Symposium this weekend. The Fashion Law Institute holds a special place in my heart. Through it, I had the opportunity to take amazing courses in fashion law with the pioneer of the field, Susan Scafidi, meet an amazing group of law students and attorneys who I hold in high regard, and reaffirm my chosen career path. This TFG profile will focus on my time at the world's first fashion law center. 

The Fashion Law Institute was created with the help and support of the CFDA and is led by Professor Scafidi, who serves as the Institute's academic director. During my time there, I was able to study the following course topics:

• Intellectual Property Issues in Fashion
• Fashion Law & Finance
• Fashion Ethics, Sustainability, & Development
• Fashion Modeling Law
• Trade Issues
• Dress Codes and Sumptuary Laws 

In addition to the fascinating cases and readings were the guest speakers. Sigrid Olson came in to discuss the licensing deal with Liz Claiborne that led to the rise and fall of her clothing label. Her story is a testament to the pivotal role a fashion lawyer will play in protecting an emerging designer's rights to her name as he or she she builds it into a global brand.

Stan Herman, designer and former President of the CFDA, was another guest speaker that came in to discuss the changes the industry has undergone, specifically in regards to the outsourcing of the design process that has left many to wonder whether what's left of New York's historic garment center will last. 

Sara Ziff, a model and founder and director of the Model Alliance, came in to discuss the employment law issues facing the fashion industry. As independent contractors, models are often exploited by their agencies and issues like weight and sexual harassment are still prevalent.

The program didn't just limit us to in-class experiences. Students had the opportunity to visit and tour the CFDA Incubator, the Tenement Museum, the Metropolitan Museum's In-House Counsel offices, and the Alexander McQueen Exhibit.

At the CFDA Incubator, students got the chance to learn about how the program mentors and helps emerging designers build their label.

At the Tenement Museum, the cross-section of America's immigration history and garment industry came to life.

At the Metropolitan Museum's In-House Counsel offices, students got to learn first hand about the contractual issues that arose when launching the Alexander McQueen exhibit.

As a token of our time at the Fashion Law Institute, Rachel Dooley of Gemma Redux designed these amazing necklaces for the students.

A Fordham Law School alumnus, Rachel Dooley practiced law for a number of years until she decided to leave the profession to launch her famous jewelry line.

The Fashion Law Institute provides a wonderful experience for aspiring fashion lawyers. TFG only hopes that this post will inspire more law students out there to consider a career in the field.