The fashion and luxury sector is a cornerstone of Made in Italy excellence and is characterised by a strong international outlook, complex supply chains and the constant need to balance creative vision, brand enhancement and protection, and a commitment to sustainability.

Companies in the sector face significant challenges arising from digitalisation, new omnichannel distribution models, intellectual property protection, supply chain traceability and the growing focus on ESG and social responsibility. In this environment, responsiveness and an understanding of business needs are just as important as legal rigour.

OUR SERVICES

We advise maisons, luxury brands, industrial and distribution groups, designers, manufacturers and businesses operating in the fashion, luxury, apparel, accessories, cosmetics and lifestyle sectors. Our multidisciplinary approach combines expertise across different areas of law with an in-depth understanding of the specific features and dynamics of the industry.

We provide legal assistance across the entire value chain, with particular focus on the following areas:

Intellectual property and commercial contracts:

• registration, strategic management and protection of trademarks, patents, designs, models and copyright, in Italy and internationally
• negotiation and structuring of licensing, selective and exclusive distribution, agency and franchising agreements
• counterfeiting, parallel imports and IP and unfair competition litigation
• supply chain agreements with suppliers and contractors, including procurement, subcontracting, façon and contract manufacturing agreements

Retail, e-commerce and commercial real estate:

• commercial lease agreements, business unit leases and concession agreements for stores, corners, showrooms, pop-ups and temporary stores
• structuring and development of directly operated, franchised and partnership-based retail networks
• agreements for the development and operation of proprietary e-commerce platforms, marketplaces and omnichannel distribution strategies
• alternative and complementary sales channels, including travel retail, made-to-measure, trunk shows, outlets and off-price channels

Corporate, finance and extraordinary transactions:

• mergers, acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures, including cross-border transactions
• private equity and venture capital investments, and transactions involving funds and institutional investors
• generational transitions and corporate reorganisations
• restructuring, turnaround and business downsizing
• corporate governance, ownership structures, tax planning and financing transactions

Employment law and human capital management:

• contracts with designers, creative directors, senior executives and key management personnel
• non-compete agreements, non-solicitation clauses and protection of confidential information and corporate know-how
• workforce management during seasonal peaks and sales campaigns
• agreements with agents, brand ambassadors, testimonials, influencers and content creators

Compliance, sustainability and data protection:

• regulatory and supply chain compliance programmes, including traceability, supplier due diligence and compliance with EU supply chain legislation
• ESG matters, sustainability reporting and corporate social responsibility
• privacy, personal data protection, cybersecurity and compliance with the GDPR and sector-specific regulations
• competition law, antitrust and unfair commercial practices

Tax:

• tax planning and advisory services for family-owned and other businesses in the fashion and luxury sector, including international taxation and transfer pricing

We assist clients throughout the entire business lifecycle, supporting their growth, the protection of their intangible assets and their expansion into international markets.