The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) wrapped up the Intellectual Property Management Clinic (IPMC) for Fashion Entrepreneurs and SMEs with a vibrant final event on 28 November 2025 at EUIPO Headquarters in Alicante, Spain.
Supported by the European Fashion Alliance and the Circular Fashion Federation, this initiative led by Anja von der Ropp, Mathilde Tachon, and Gonzalo Rovira in WIPO’s IP for Business Division (IPBD) empowers small and medium-sized fashion businesses to build robust, future-ready IP strategies that fuel innovation and creativity, strengthen resilience, and support sustainable growth.
The journey
The program launched in September, involving 22 diverse fashion companies, including:
- Bag designers Póchette Design, Wecoe, and Ted 1942
- Fashion designers Orla Langan, Javier De La Fuente, and Luisa Beccaria
- Hand-made, unique pieces Nuyhenn, Amike Studio and Victor-Hart
- Textile company Adirelounge
- Artisanal upcycling company Collectivo
- Training & support center for fashion entrepreneurs Fashion Connect Ireland
- Manquains à tête miroirs, fashion display
- Software-based startup for fashion collaboration platform iLea
Expert mentorship
IPBD carefully curated a program that contained customized training workshops and one-on-one expert advice. Renowned IP specialists mentored the companies: Ganna Prokhorova (Mamunya IP), Olivia Dhordain (OUTBOXING IP), Ricardo Lopez Suarez, Louise Delcroix-Fournier (Ldf-Advisory), Benjamin Fontaine (Plasseraud IP), Boriana Guimberteau (Stephenson Harwood), Eleonora Rosati (Bird & Bird) and Maria Boycova-Wynants (Wynants & Co.).
Key insights
Bringing together fashion entrepreneurs, SME leaders, IP experts, and industry organizations from across Europe, the one-day gathering featured dynamic panels and discussions. Participants explored concrete, actionable solutions for navigating IP in a fast-evolving sector, driven by rapid design cycles and intensifying global competition.
Inspiration versus replication
The fashion industry thrives on constant inspiration, reinterpretation, and reinvention. As digitization is changing the creative process, new ownership questions arise. The line between inspiration and theft can sometimes become blurred. Fashion brands depend on presenting and promoting their designs to become known but need the tools to defend their creative assets. Designs, brands and copyright remain central to ensuring competitive value in fashion.
Navigating IP in circular business models
As more circular and eco-conscious business models are emerging, participants explored how resale, recycling, upcycling, and next-generation materials are reshaping the industry and how to navigate intellectual property within these transformations. The conversation underscored the growing importance of strategic licensing, collaborative frameworks, and customized protection for sustainable innovations.
Collaborations can be tricky
How far can you go on trust and when is it better to formalize agreements through contracts? Is working with influencers truly beneficial? For emerging designers, understanding how to forge powerful partnerships with established industry players while safeguarding their creativity and retaining IP control remains a critical challenge. The experts’ view on this is clear: cross-brand collaborations require clear contractual frameworks.
A joint commitment to supporting fashion SMEs
Through dynamic pitches, participating brands revealed their journeys, key milestones, and how strategic IP use has strengthened their competitiveness and positioned them for future growth. Across all sessions, one message emerged clearly: intellectual property is far more than a legal safeguard, it fuels creativity, strengthens resilience, and helps brands stand out in a crowded market.
