Survival of the Fittest: Retail Edition

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

On this episode I discuss the recently imposed tariffs on goods from abroad, including a detailed tariff timeline, the impact the tariffs may have on the luxury fashion sector, namely, how these  tariffs are likely to increase the demand for secondhand luxury goods. At the end of the episode I provide a legal discussion and analysis on the recent update to the landmark secondhand luxury goods case Chanel v. What Goes Around Comes Around. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: ​ Chanel, Inc. v. WGACA, LLC, 1:18-cv-02253 (SDNY)

"Ski fashion" is one the season's hottest trends, even for brands that previously had no ties to winter sports. I discuss the top luxury ski fashion brands, with a focus on Moncler, and then provide a discussion and my legal analysis on a recent lawsuit Moncler filed against 175 online-store defendants for trademark infringement (Moncler S.p.A. v. abc2688793 et al. 1:23-cv-05378). Enjoy and thank you for listening!

This episode is all about influencers, social media aesthetics and the "first of it's kind" lawsuit centering on the scope of protection attached to a personalized social media aesthetic. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: Gifford v. Sheil, 1:24-cv-00423 (W.D. Tex.)

This episode is all about the Chloe fashion house and it's recent comeback with the signature boho-chic style. I begin with a background of the Chloe fashion house and the Richemont luxury conglomerate which owns Chloe. Then I discuss some recent trademarks and patents owned by Chloe and I end the episode with a discussion of the French lawsuit Richemont v. Louis Vuitton which centers on the Alhambra (Richemont- owned Van Cleef & Arpels) jewelry design. Enjoy and thank you for listening!

This episode is all about the fast fashion industry which is on fire, both literally and figuratively, due to its popularity and the associated negative environmental impacts. I begin the episode with a synopsis of the fast fashion landscape, focusing on Zara and then discuss a slew of new legislation aimed at fast fashion. I conclude the episode with an overview of lawsuits involving Zara. Enjoy and thank you for listening!

This episode is all about the viral “underconsumption core” trend and how it relates to luxury fashion. I also discuss the most-wanted quiet luxury item, the Hermes Shadow Birkin and then provide an update and my legal analysis/discussion of the Hermes antitrust class action lawsuit filed in California In 2024. Enjoy and thank you for listening!