A Global Perspective on Fashion Tech at the Paris Fashion Law and Innovation Conference

Subzero temperatures in PyeongChang, South Korea? No problem. Team USA was kept toasty courtesy of Ralph Lauren’s limited-edition parka and bomber jacket, which included a streamlined heating component, designed with the intent to keep athletes warm in PyeongChang’s cold temperatures.  The impressive technology featuring an American flag-designed panel worn at the 2018 Winter Olympics was created via collaboration between multiple design firms and manufacturers, including Delaware-based DuPont.  The RL innovation team relied on some of America’s most innovative companies, including technology giant DuPont.  Attorney Michael E. Schu, from DuPont, is one of the illustrious speakers taking center stage at the Paris Fashion Law and Innovation Conference on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.

The Federal Bar Association’s Paris Fashion Law and Innovation Conference – held at the world-famous Sorbonne – is your chance to explore intellectual property issues raised by smart devices in fashion; best practices for registering, prosecuting, policing, and maintaining a national and international IP portfolio; anti-counterfeiting enforcement for fashion brands in the digital age; and the importance of smart fabrics and sustainable fashion. To learn more about attending this dynamic conference please visit: www.fedbar.org

During Panel I, leading fashion and tech practitioners will discuss, among other items, the overlap between technology and fashion. Speakers will analyze the commercial, human rights, and legal aspects of wearables and smart fabrics.

The panel on wearable technology, fashion tech, and smart fabrics features Olivera Medenica, a Partner at Dunnington, Bartholow & Miller LLP. She regularly advises domestic and foreign businesses in fashion, retail, media, and entertainment on transactional, litigation, and arbitration matters.  Ms. Medenica counsels on trademark, copyright, intellectual property licensing, and online/social media matters. Ms. Medenica served as President to the Southern District of New York Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (2014-2015) and was recently elected as the Federal Bar Association’s Second Circuit Vice President.

Attendees of the Paris Fashion Law and Innovation Conference will also hear from speaker Regina Polanco, founder of Pyrates. Ms. Polanco studied Law and Politics but her goal was to find a fashion solution to health and environmental challenges. To that end, Pyrates is a range of nature-derived smart fabrics. Ms. Polanco, a Madrid-based entrepreneur, will discuss the future of smart fabrics.

Céline Bondard, Esq., Principal of Bondard Law, is an attorney admitted in New York and Paris. Ms. Bondard will discuss her work providing legal services to innovative companies, startups, and their ecosystem (investors, corporate incubators and accelerators). Ms. Bondard is a co-founder and President of the French-American Bar Association in the U.S. (FABA) and she supports her clients in the development of their brands.

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works,” remarked innovator extraordinaire Steve Jobs.  In step with technology’s growing influence on fashion and design, the Paris Fashion Law and Innovation Conference is dedicating a panel to wearable tech, e-commerce, smart fabrics, and intellectual property law.  Do not miss this timely and vibrant conference on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 with a cocktail reception to follow.

Stacy Slotnick, Esq. holds a J.D., cum laude, from Touro Law Center and a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She performs a broad range of duties as an entertainment lawyer, including drafting and negotiating contracts; addressing and litigating trademark, copyright, patent, and other IP issues; and directing the strategy and implementation of public relations, blogging, and social media campaigns.