B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Fashion Law
The Next Must-Read: Dressing Constitutionally--
The Fashion Law Family is continuously supportive of its members. Today, we want to point you to the interview our friend at Law of Fashion Blog, Charles Colman uncovered on the collision between Fashion and Law. The interview was done by Ruthann Robson, author of Dressing Constitutionally: Hierarchy, Sexuality, and Democracy from Our Hairstyles to Our Shoes. Clearly we can't wait to read this one. It recounts historical perspectives on laws regarding dress, nudity, and things you wouldn't imagine having a connection.
Ruthann is a professor at the City University of New York School of Law. Her previous books include Lesbian (Out)Law and Sappho Goes to Law School. We are excited about this feature as it continues to put the pairing of fashion and law on the front-burner.
You can listen to the interview here. Congrats to Ruthann on tapping into yet another great niche in fashion and law.
Definitely adding this to the reading list!
The Fashion Law Family is continuously supportive of its members. Today, we want to point you to the interview our friend at Law of Fashion Blog, Charles Colman uncovered on the collision between Fashion and Law. The interview was done by Ruthann Robson, author of Dressing Constitutionally: Hierarchy, Sexuality, and Democracy from Our Hairstyles to Our Shoes. Clearly we can't wait to read this one. It recounts historical perspectives on laws regarding dress, nudity, and things you wouldn't imagine having a connection.
Ruthann is a professor at the City University of New York School of Law. Her previous books include Lesbian (Out)Law and Sappho Goes to Law School. We are excited about this feature as it continues to put the pairing of fashion and law on the front-burner.
You can listen to the interview here. Congrats to Ruthann on tapping into yet another great niche in fashion and law.
Definitely adding this to the reading list!
B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Fashion Law
Legal Prodigy Wants to Study Fashion Law--
Didn't we tell you it was real? 18 year old Gabrielle Turnquest has passed the Bar of England and Wales, nearly 10 years earlier than most--and she wants to practice Fashion Law!
This Florida native is planning to return to the States to take the bar, begin working as a fashion law specialist and continue her work in the apparel industry. This is not Gabrielle's first major achievement. She also graduated from Liberty University in Virginia at the age of 16.
Gabrielle plans to use her talents in the Bahamas, native home to her parents. Certainly she'll make a great impact there, and a wonderful stiletto print for fashion law.
For so long, many of us fashion lawyers have gotten the side eye, or "oh...ok" when saying we want to, or do practice fashion law. This is quickly changing. With people like these fabulous Ladies of Fashion Law--and the gents, too--this niche is becoming the best looking option for lawyers who think outside the box.
Congrats to Gabrielle! We wish her all the best.
Welcome to the family!
B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Fashion Law
The Battle of Counterfeits in Big Cities, Part 3--
Not too long ago, we started talking about the fight large American cities have against counterfeits in their markets. We discussed how they get to the market, and what legislatures and law enforcement are doing to counter the problem. Today, we're taking things a little bit further. Here are 3 additional points about the counterfeit market.
Counterfeits v. Employment
The Cost Hits Local Governments, Too
It doesn't get the news coverage it may deserve to help alleviate it, but the fake trade has been linked to drug trafficking, child labor, and even terrorism. Counterfeiting often feeds drug rings and are literally accessories in human trafficking. Further, children are frequently used to produce illegal items. The Zara factory in Argentina was investigated and shut down earlier this year because of poor working conditions, no breaks for adult workers, and consistent use of children in their labor force. The investigation also included a search into whether or not unauthorized products were made. The gray market is heavily sustained by child labor.
Not too long ago, we started talking about the fight large American cities have against counterfeits in their markets. We discussed how they get to the market, and what legislatures and law enforcement are doing to counter the problem. Today, we're taking things a little bit further. Here are 3 additional points about the counterfeit market.
Counterfeits v. Employment
Counterfeits are directly responsible for the loss of over 750,000 American jobs. As we mentioned before, having particular global locations be responsible for certain pieces in the economic cycle is not a bad idea. it works well in many ways. However, having local jobs is necessary in every nation. It may be more efficient for a nation or city to produce certain products because of their climate or other unique settings. But, moving jobs overseas to keep profits sky high is not helpful to the overall economy. It is also a detriment to the receiving nations, where they often work for wages and in conditions Americans would never accept. We also can't forget how much counterfeits cost the actual brands. This starts a chain reaction as well. International copyright piracy has cost U.S. companies $9billion in trade losses.
The Cost Hits Local Governments, Too
In NYC alone, counterfeit sales cost residents about $1billion in lost sales tax. This is doing the same in places like Chicago, Atlanta, LA and other areas with large fashion constituencies. Local governments are already struggling to keep services and necessities available. Missing additional tax revenue is not helpful. Sure, some tourists make it a point to visit the counterfeit markets when traveling, but this takes away from the money used for local infrastructure and contributes to the financial hardships in which many cities have found themselves.
There is a Social Cost
There is a Social Cost
It doesn't get the news coverage it may deserve to help alleviate it, but the fake trade has been linked to drug trafficking, child labor, and even terrorism. Counterfeiting often feeds drug rings and are literally accessories in human trafficking. Further, children are frequently used to produce illegal items. The Zara factory in Argentina was investigated and shut down earlier this year because of poor working conditions, no breaks for adult workers, and consistent use of children in their labor force. The investigation also included a search into whether or not unauthorized products were made. The gray market is heavily sustained by child labor.
Harper's Bazaar has been extremely active in the battle against counterfeits in their Fakes are Never in Fashion campaign. Check them out and see what you can do to help keep fakes out of the market.