Fashion meets Law

Think we can't mix fashion and law? Think again

When I was 16, the school made us sit down with the school careers counsellor to discuss our thoughts on our future careers. My conversation was rather short, and it sort of went like this: 

me: "fashion and law" 

careers counsellor: "the two are distinct areas completely separate from each other, you'll have to pick one or the other"

me: "why not combine both?" 

careers counsellor: "that's impossible" 

me: "maybe there will be a job in the future that combines both" 

careers counsellor: "that's impossible. you'll have to pick one or the other" 

me: "we'll see." 

Fast forward 9 years and we see an announcement from Fordham Law School introducing  a fashion law degree, headed by Professor Susan Scafidi, in collaboration with CFDA and supported by designer Diane von Furstenberg. The Masters of Law in Fashion Law is the first law degree in the world that focuses on key legal areas in law in the context of the unique nature of the fashion industry. Think issues such as modeling law, fashion financing and sustainability. 

Despite the size of the global fashion industry, legal knowledge within the industry and about the industry is surprisingly limited. The establishment of this degree, and its counterpart Masters of Studies in Law with a specialization in Fashion, is a nod of recognition from both fashion and law in recognizing the importance of legal knowledge within an industry based on creativity (even if the one-year course is only able to help lawyers scratch the surface of the industry). 

So here's to a chance to channel our inner Elle Woods, and a step forward in the collaboration between fashion and law.  

xoxo