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 of the multibillion-dollar beauty industry. Because sometimes, beauty can be pretty scary!

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 intellectual property behind the Loro Piana name. Then I discuss their trademark portfolio and its use of patents to protect innovation and design, exploring how intellectual property has helped Loro Piana protect what makes the brand distinctive. At the end of the episode I discuss a recent legal victory involving a lookalike of one of the house’s most recognizable shoes and what the case tells us about the legal boundaries between inspiration and imitation in luxury fashion. Enjoy and thank you for listening!

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 health food store became Hollywood’s hottest runway, the fascinating psychology behind luxury consumer culture, and whether these organic, ultra-premium products are actually worth the price tag. From viral celebrity smoothies to the rise of "grocery store tourism," I explore how buying a carton of raw milk became a lifestyle statement. Then I provide my legal analysis of the massive legal battle over grocery history: Dean & DeLuca Brands v. Fire Brands Innovation trademark infringement lawsuit. Are dead or diminished legacy brands up for grabs?

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 lawsuit and all the updates (including an appeal by Hermes) which includes Hermes' alleged practice of requiring customers to spend thousands of dollars on ancillary products before obtaining an "opportunity" to purchase a Birkin bag.Episode Notes:1. Cavalleri v. Hermes, N.D. Cal., No. 3:24-cv-01707

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 Malone which is all about the implications of a personal name as a trademark. Enjoy and thank you for listenting!

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 what a stripped-down, restructured future looks like for high-end retail. Enjoy and thank you for listening!

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 discuss and analyze three recent lawsuits involing trade dress and copyright infringement that RH has been embroiled in. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: 1. Restoration Hardware v. Crate and Barrell (2017) 2. Chrisopher Boots v. Restoration Hardware et al. (2019) 3. Arhaus v. Restoration Hardware (2025)

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 battle and then and I conclude the episode with an update on the recent Gucci v. Lord and Taylor lawsuit.Episode Notes: 1. Gucci America, Inc. v. Guess?, Inc., 843 F. Supp. 2d 412 (S.D.N.Y. 2012)2. Gucci America, Inc. v. LORD & TAYLOR ECOMM LLC, 1:23-cv-10239 (S.D.N.Y. 2025)

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 Net-a-Porter founder, Natalie Massenet, which is shocking the fashion world. Episode Notes: 1. Massenet v. Torstensson, et al., 25STCV24516 (Cal. Sup.)2.. Minding the Store by Stanley Marcus Book⁠https://www.amazon.com/Minding-Store-Stanley-Marcus/dp/157441139X⁠3. Jackie Macia,The Saks Neiman Marcus Merger : The Future of Luxury Retail From a Legal Business Perspective, University of Miami Law Review (2025).

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 his case all the way to the Supreme Court (alongside his attorney, John Sommers) winning the ultimate battle. Listen to his story here. Episode time stamps: (00:28) I provide a brief background and legal timeline of the Iancu v. Brunetti case, including audio clips from the oral argument of the Supreme Court hearing (8:08) Interview with Erik Brunetti