Geneva, September 5, 2025 – The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), in collaboration with the European Fashion Alliance (EFA), the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX), and the Circular Fashion Federation have launched the 2025 Fashion Edition of the Intellectual Property Management Clinic (IPMC).
Building on the success of the 2024 IPMC for the Furniture industry, this unique initiative brings together leading experts in IP and a carefully selected group of 30 pioneering fashion companies from across Europe. The participating businesses represent the vibrant diversity of today’s fashion industry, from innovative textile products and luxury creations to sustainable clothing lines, accessories, and cutting-edge tech platforms serving the sector. All share a common vision: creativity with a strong commitment to sustainability.
Over the next five months, participants will gain access to personalized mentoring sessions and hands-on workshops, equipping them to build sound IP strategies tailored to their business models.
“IP is not just a defensive tool, it is a growth engine”. “For small businesses in the fashion sector, where products are exposed to global markets almost immediately, tackling IP from the very beginning is critical to securing long-term success.” underlined the organizers and experts.
Fashion is one of Europe’s most dynamic creative industries, but also one of the most vulnerable to imitation and fast-moving competition. The majority of businesses in this sector are SMEs, and while their creativity drives the industry forward, their ability to thrive depends on making IP work for them. From design rights that safeguard visual identity, to trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, a well-managed IP portfolio is essential to stand out in crowded markets and scale. The program will empower them not only to protect their IP assets, but also to leverage them through commercialization opportunities that unlock real potential for growth.
A full journey of support
Throughout the clinic, participants will:
- Receive four personalized mentoring sessions with assigned IP and Business experts specializing in fashion
- Join four interactive workshops covering topics from IP mapping to risk management, branding, licensing, collaborations, sustainability, and e-commerce IP strategies.
- Network with peers and showcase their progress at the final event in Alicante, Spain, in November 2025.
A team of IP and fashion industry experts from across Europe will guide participants through this entire process:
- Louise Delcroix-Fournier, IP/E-commerce/Circular economy expert, Portugal
- Maria Boicova-Wynants, Strategy Consultant, IP/Art Lawyer, Wynants&Co Bv, Belgium
- Boriana Guimberteau, Tech/fashion IP expert, Stephenson Harwood LLP, France.
- Ricardo López, IP & Business Law expert, Head of Legal at VEJA, France.
- Eleanora Rosati, IP Law expert, Professor of IP Law at Stockholm University and IP Counsel at Bird&Bird, Sweden.
- Ganna Prokhorova, IP litigation/enforcement expert at Mamunya, IP and Chair of the Copyright Committee at INTA, Ukraine
- Olivia Dhordain, IP expert in the luxury industry, OUTBOXING IP, Switzerland
- Benjamin Fontaine, IP expert, Partner at Plasseraud IP, Spain
The Fashion Edition of the IP Management Clinic reflects WIPO’s and EUIPO’s continued commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs in the creative industries by equipping them with knowledge and tools to strengthen their competitiveness through effective IP use.