Suited: Where Fashion Law Meets Culture and Politics

Kenya Wiley

Fashion is not just the clothes and shoes we wear—it's a vast framework touching every aspect of our existence, from production to our pocketbooks. Kenya Wiley, a former Senate staffer turned fashion policy analyst, sits down with leaders in industry and government to unpack the legal, business, and power dynamics shaping fashion, tech, and beyond. Join us for conversations connecting fashion law, culture and politics.

  1. May 13

    Fashion Law, Luxury and the WNBA with Donald Woodard

    The WNBA season is officially here. And the players aren't just on the court—they're commanding deals across fashion, luxury, and beauty. In this episode of SUITED, Kenya Wiley sits down with Donald Woodard, Founding Partner at Carter + Woodard, and nationally recognized entertainment and sports attorney representing top women athletes in gymnastics, track and field, and basketball—including WNBA players Angel Reese and Flau'jae Johnson. Donald shares how he advises clients as they move from the court to the red carpet, building partnerships with brands in fashion, luxury, and beauty. Donald offers a masterclass on the intersection of fashion law and sports—covering the five key IP provisions he builds into every contract, engagement and not just followers in the NIL and influencer space, and why waivers matter for athletes participating in fashion events like the Met Gala. As AI impacts name, image and likeness (NIL) in entertainment and sports, Donald also breaks down the three guardrails he negotiates into contracts to protect his athlete clients. Donald also looks ahead to LA28—sharing how he's positioning his clients in track and field, gymnastics, and basketball for the 2028 Olympic Games. Producer: Kenya Wiley Associate Producer: Argin Hutchins IV Connect with Donald Woodard on LinkedIn and Instagram. Learn more about Carter + Woodard, a full-service boutique entertainment and sports law firm, and follow on LinkedIn and Instagram. For more on fashion law, culture and power, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter here.

    Fashion Law, Luxury and the WNBA with Donald Woodard

  2. May 6

    Fashion Law and Wellness with Angeline Hayling

    The wellness market in the United States alone represents more than $500 billion in annual spend and $2 trillion globally. Younger generations are treating wellness as a lifestyle priority, and more fashion brands are entering the wellbeing space along with them. In this episode of SUITED, Kenya Wiley sits down with Angeline Hayling, fashion designer and creative director of Island Tribe—a brand rooted in sustainable production, natural textiles, and artisan craftsmanship. Angeline integrated mindfulness and wellness into her company years ago, long before fashion brands started making yoga, holistic healing and other wellbeing spaces a part of their businesses. Angeline shares her perspective on sustainable sourcing and production, and the importance of legal counsel in larger partnerships and collaborations. We also discuss the future of independent designers—given the news around Saks Global's bankruptcy and restructuring. What's the best way for a luxury brand rooted in sustainability to build and scale? Is it better for a designer to maintain independence—and the flexibility to create and sell directly to consumers—or to pursue investor backing, even when that comes with significant constraints? Can you have both? And most importantly, how does a brand truly connect with its consumers? As Angeline puts it: "You've gotta understand your clientele. Because if you don't understand your clientele, you're gonna be wasting a lot of money on marketing to the wind." Producer: Kenya Wiley Associate Producer: Argin Hutchins IV Connect with Angeline on Instagram and LinkedIn, and learn more about Island Tribe here, For more on fashion law, culture and power, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter here.

    Fashion Law and Wellness with Angeline Hayling

  3. Apr 29

    Lawyering for the Met Gala with William Bowes

    From the Met Gala to "The Devil Wears Prada 2," publishing and media have long shaped fashion, luxury, culture, and politics. In this episode, Kenya Wiley sits down with William Bowes, General Counsel of YouGov and former General Counsel of Condé Nast—home to Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Wired, and The New Yorker. William offers an inside look at lawyering for the Met Gala—covering the four main areas, with some work taking shape years in advance. He also shares how an in-house counsel would likely advise on potential protests and demonstrations, given the current geopolitical climate. Beyond the Gala, William explains why understanding politics was critical to his in-house counsel role, particularly for navigating AI and IP policy in the US and the UK. He breaks down his three-L strategy—lobbying, licensing, and litigation—and how lawyers can successfully partner with colleagues in communications and government affairs. And with "The Devil Wears Prada 2" as a backdrop, we explore how print media has transformed in the twenty years since the original film—including the legal issues around digital, data privacy, and managing employees who are also influencers. Though we can't forget that editors-in-chief were the original influencers, long before social media. Producer: Kenya Wiley Associate Producer: Argin Hutchins IV Subscribe to William’s Substack covering creative policy in a complex time. For more on fashion law, culture and power, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter here.

    Lawyering for the Met Gala with William Bowes

  4. Feb 25

    Fashion’s Sustainable Future with Ngozi Okaro

    Fashion nonprofit Custom Collaborative opened its doors on Halloween 2016. Nearly a decade later, the organization has grown into a 10,000-square-foot space in New York's Garment District. Founder and CEO Ngozi Okaro joins us to discuss their latest cohort, 15-week Training Institute, and digital design program—integrating technology and sustainability to prepare participants for long-term industry success. Ngozi has also been active on advocacy at the local, state, and federal level—including manufacturing in New York's Garment District, fair labor, and environmental sustainability. She shares her outlook for fashion designers and industry professionals committed to these principles as the federal administration continues to promote policies that are anti-environment, anti-human rights, and pro-tariff. Producer: Kenya Wiley Associate Producer: Argin Hutchins IV Connect with Ngozi Okaro on LinkedIn. Follow Custom Collaborative on Instagram and LinkedIn. For more on fashion law, politics, and policy, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter here.

    Fashion’s Sustainable Future with Ngozi Okaro

  5. Feb 18

    Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke: The Policy Crisis Impacting Fashion

    The U.S. fashion industry is under siege—from tariffs threatening apparel sourcing to changes in U.S. immigration policy. But there's a related crisis that needs attention: the lack of accountability and transparency to support brands and creators. In this episode, Kenya Wiley sits down with Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke of New York's 9th Congressional District, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Co-Chair of the Congressional Creators Caucus, and senior member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Congresswoman Clarke has been leading the fight on Capitol Hill on issues critical to the business of fashion—including sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter to DHS challenging the $100,000 H-1B visa fee increase. But as she explains, international trade and immigration are only part of the story. We also discuss how AI in fashion is scaling to $17 billion in the next few years with no guardrails or regulation coming out of Washington, the Federal Trade Commission's inability to act with only two commissioners, why Congresswoman Clarke launched the Congressional Creators Caucus, and as we celebrate Black History Month, Rep. Clarke shares the CBC’s top legislative priority: voting rights. Producer: Kenya Wiley Associate Producer: Argin Hutchins IV Connect with Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke For more on fashion law, politics, and policy, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter here.

    Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke: The Policy Crisis Impacting Fashion

  6. Feb 10

    DHS Beyond Immigration—What Fashion Brands Must Know

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made immigration enforcement a top priority. But the Department also oversees several critical areas impacting the business of fashion: seizing and investigating counterfeit goods, collecting tariffs, processing visa petitions for fashion talent, and identifying and managing cyber risks. In this episode, Kenya Wiley sits down with John Tobon, former Assistant Director for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), part of DHS, to talk through what the current focus on immigration enforcement means for IPR violations, visa processing, cyber risks, and other areas critical to fashion and retail. John Tobon brings his three decades of experience in federal law enforcement to the discussion—from serving as a special agent at the United States Customs Service, to learning via email (yes, email!) that his agency had been dissolved and he was now part of the newly created Department of Homeland Security. John also breaks down how the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) can be helpful for large and small brands, what multinational companies should do when working with several agencies simultaneously, and what's necessary for Congress to hold DHS accountable right now—through the power of the purse and legislation. Producer: Kenya Wiley Associate Producer: Argin Hutchins IV Connect with John Tobon on LinkedIn Tobon Consulting For more on fashion law, politics, and policy, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter here.

    DHS Beyond Immigration—What Fashion Brands Must Know

  7. Jan 28

    AI Deepfakes and Human Creatives: The NO FAKES Act with RIAA SVP Jessica Richard

    While the 2026 GRAMMYS will honor the top singers and songwriters, AI deepfakes are already exploiting artists, actors, and other creatives—without consent, compensation, or consequence. Kenya Wiley sits down with Jessica Richard, Senior Vice President of Federal Public Policy at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), to discuss the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act of 2025—federal legislation designed to protect all individuals from unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas. Kenya and Jessica explore the fashion industry's critical stakes in the NO FAKES Act—not just for models, but for designers, creative directors, and anyone whose voice and likeness could be exploited by AI. They discuss how building broad coalitions advances legislation through Congress, why constituent voices matter, and whether this bill has real chances of becoming law. Plus: GRAMMY favorites. Connect with Jessica Richard on LinkedIn. Learn more about the NO FAKES Act and the Human Artistry Campaign 2025 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on AI-generated deepfakes 2024 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the NO FAKES Act For more on fashion law, politics, and policy, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter here.

    AI Deepfakes and Human Creatives: The NO FAKES Act with RIAA SVP Jessica Richard

  8. Jan 14

    Don't Confuse Deregulation with Reduced Risk: AI Across Fashion

    Brands and retailers are integrating AI across teams, but will face a critical question: How do you adopt innovation while managing potential risks? Privacy and AI attorney Ashley Pusey joins host Kenya Wiley to cut through the confusion to discuss the recent White House AI Executive Order focused on deregulation and what this means for AI governance and risk for fashion companies—big and small. Key topics include: why AI problems won't show up as AI-specific issues; potential concerns around AI-powered shopping tools; why the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is the gold standard for privacy compliance; and congressional bills to watch in 2026. Ashley also shares her strategy on career governance—where she applies AI governance principles to professional development. Connect with Ashley Pusey on LinkedIn. For more on fashion law, politics, and policy, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter here.

    Don't Confuse Deregulation with Reduced Risk: AI Across Fashion
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About

Fashion is not just the clothes and shoes we wear—it's a vast framework touching every aspect of our existence, from production to our pocketbooks. Kenya Wiley, a former Senate staffer turned fashion policy analyst, sits down with leaders in industry and government to unpack the legal, business, and power dynamics shaping fashion, tech, and beyond. Join us for conversations connecting fashion law, culture and politics.

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