Fashion Law: Runway To Regulations

Bhakti Ravindra Thakare, ILS Law College, Pune

ABSTRACT

Fashion law (FL) is an emerging interdisciplinary field that encompasses various legal aspects affecting the fashion industry, including intellectual property rights, business and finance, international trade, government regulations, consumer culture, privacy, and civil rights. This paper explores the concept of fashion law and its significance in protecting the rights and interests of fashion designers and artists. It traces the historical roots of fashion and highlights its impact on individual identity and societal hierarchy. The paper also discusses the rapid evolution of the fashion industry, the changing trend life cycles, and the need for legal mechanisms to safeguard designers' creations. Fashion law plays a crucial role in addressing issues, such as trademark protection, copyright infringement, geographical indications, and contractual agreements. Although fashion law is well established in many regions, it is still an emerging field in India. Organizations such as the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), The Fashion Foundation of India (FFI), and the Apparels Export Promotion Council (AEPC) are working towards developing and promoting fashion law in the country. The paper emphasizes the importance of fashion law in fostering creativity, innovation, and fair practices within the fashion industry, ultimately benefiting designers, consumers, and the industry as a whole.

Keywords: Fashion law, Intellectual property rights, Trademark violations, Copyright infringement, Consumer culture, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), Apparels Export Promotion Council (APEC)