Kasia Zebrowska-Trauben MBA., Esq.
Welcome to Fashion Law Network! I am a patent attorney at Caldwell Law. This is a monthly podcast where I will be discussing fashion related legal news and lawsuits. Enjoy and thank you for listening!
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 Book https://www.amazon.com/Minding-Store-Stanley-Marcus/dp/157441139X 3. 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!
This episode is all about the recent changes at the Chanel fashion house, namely, the parting ways of artistic director, Virginie Viard with the Chanel fashion house. I discuss employment law, private vs. public company rules/regulations in both the United States and France as they relate to the Chanel fashion house and then provide a history of Chanel at the end of the episode. Enjoy and thank you for listening!
This is a special episode featuring Olga Florida, the founder of Swiss-based fashion line, Cosy Sunday. The Cosy Sunday fashion line debuted at Milan Fashion Week in February of 2024 and is focused on sustainability. On this episode we discuss Olga's inspiration for the fashion line, the challenges she faced along the way and the importance of me time in our fast paced world. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: 1. https://cosysunday.com
This is a special episode featuring author, Alexandra Lange, who wrote one of my favorite books, Meet Me by the Fountain all about the inside history of shopping malls. We discuss our favorite mall architecture, current state of malls, future trends and much more! Enjoy and thank you for listening!
This episode is all about Hermes and the recent 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 which includes Hermes' alleged practice of requiring customers to spend thousand 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, 3/19/24.