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

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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

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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

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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.

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani is starting a new era in New York City, and the lessons from 1980s NYC have never been more relevant.

CNN legal analyst and Five Bullets author Elliot Williams joins Kenya to discuss Mayor Mamdani's affordability politics, Trump 2.0, and policy issues impacting the business of fashion—including immigration, labor, and tariffs.

Elliot also shares insights from Five Bullets—including a conversation with subway vigilante Bernie Goetz—and what the book reveals about affordability, safety, and politics in New York then and now.

Pre-order Five Bullets by Elliot Williams today!

Elliot's Book Events:

February 9 at Politics and Prose in Washington, DC

February 11 at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, NY

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AI policy has dominated Washington in 2025, but what does this mean for fashion brands and retailers using AI? Kenya sat down with Meagan Foster, Senior Principal at Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies and former deputy chief of staff for U.S, Senator Peter Welch, to break down the year in tech policy— just days before President Trump signed an executive order on federal preemption of state AI laws.

Meagan’s analysis was right on point—the December 11 White House executive order moved one step closer toward the federal preemption she identified as the defining AI issue of 2025.

Meagan shares her insider perspective on the current power dynamics shaping various parts of AI policy—from chatbots and copyright to children's safety and chips to China.

In this episode, we discuss how every congressional committee is claiming jurisdiction over artificial intelligence; AI's impact on fashion jobs and the future of work; and why children's privacy and online safety could provide a breakthrough for AI legislation.

This episode was recorded on December 2, 2025. Listen for fashion footnotes throughout with key updates on the December 11 AI executive order and the final text of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Connect with Meagan Foster.

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This holiday shopping season, counterfeit goods aren't just an IP problem, but they also raise serious consumer protection and health concerns. After Entrupy—the global leader in AI-powered authentication—scanned materials from close to about 1,200 different fakes, over 70% of the fakes tested had hazardous levels of lead and arsenic.

In this episode, Kenya sits down with Entrupy CEO Vidyuth Srinivasan, to discuss how the fashion tech company combines artificial intelligence, microscopic imaging, and human expertise to authenticate luxury goods, sneakers, and apparel at scale. Entrupy works with brands, retailers, resellers, and governments to identify and combat counterfeits worldwide.

In this conversation, we explore how Entrupy's AI authentication technology works and why human expertise remains essential; the shocking health hazards hidden in counterfeit products; why no country is immune from counterfeits and what governments can do; and Entrupy’s partnership with TikTok Shop. Plus, Vidyuth shares strategies on how luxury, apparel and footwear companies can protect their brands against counterfeit operations this holiday season.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Entrupy 2025 State of the Fake Report

AI authentication for streetwear and apparel

Entrupy authentication certificate

ARS Counsel holiday preparation for brand protection

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AI is reshaping how fashion designers create and connect with customers. Should designers and other industry talent be required to disclose AI-generated elements? What should creators know and how can AI and intellectual property work together?

SUITED host Kenya Wiley recently sat down with IP attorney Darrell Mottley to discuss these issues; his current role as Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic (IPEC) at Suffolk University Law School; and how IPEC is training the next generation of IP attorneys while also providing legal services to creators in Boston and across the United States.

Professor Mottley's legal scholarship focuses on AI and the creative community. What should creators be mindful of when inputting their information into AI-assisted tools? What are First Amendment concerns around government-mandated transparency for AI-generated creative works—as discussed in Professor Mottley's latest law article?

In this episode, Professor Mottley explains why you should not put information into AI systems that you do not want to become public, citing the recent chat conversations that were searchable on Google as a cautionary example. He also shares strategies for designers using AI, plus practical advice and course recommendations for law students interested in fashion and tech.

Connect with Professor Darrell Mottley at Suffolk University Law School

Read Professor Mottley’s AI law article here.

For fashion designers and other creators requesting legal services, please see the application page for the Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic.

Join the conversation on LinkedIn and share your thoughts on AI and intellectual property in fashion.

On Wednesday, November 5, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Trump's tariffs impacting textiles, apparel, and footwear—with justices appearing skeptical of the government's authority to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose such sweeping measures. In this episode, international trade attorney Amanda Simpson breaks down the oral arguments and explores three critical questions: Does IEEPA authorize these tariffs? What's the refund process if the Court rules against the government? And what are the next steps for Trump's trade agenda and fashion brands?

Amanda explains why any refund process will likely take years to resolve, even if importers win, and emphasizes the importance of supply chain diversity in navigating ongoing trade uncertainty. Whether you're a designer, brand, fashion law attorney, or industry professional in sourcing or supply chain management, Amanda shares steps to prepare for what's next after the Supreme Court issues its decision.

Connect with international trade attorney Amanda Simpson:

LinkedIn

Email: [email protected]

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Ropes & Gray IP transactions partner Erica Han, co-chair of the firm's consumer & retail brands industry group, joins host Kenya Wiley to navigate the legal landscape of dupes in fashion and beauty.

In this episode, we discuss the IP battles related to dupes and explore the legal and business implications of dupes-based business models. Erica shares what investors should consider before investing in dupes-based businesses—including the business model, IP risk, whether there’s protectable IP and innovation, and key contract terms for entities that rely heavily on influencers.

From investors and innovators to influencers, brands, and consumers, this episode breaks down what dupe culture means for fashion's entire ecosystem.

Connect with Ropes & Gray IP transactions partner Erica Han

Read Erica’s insights on dupes business models in fashion and beauty:

Dupes Boom Spurs IP Risks, Opportunities for Investors, Law360, July 2025

Imitation Game: Legal Considerations with Dupes-Based Business Models, Ropes & Gray alert, June 2025

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