About B.A.F.F.L.E.D.
B.A.F.F.L.E.D. is a hub for information, strategy guidance, education, and pro tips in business and investment, with an affinity for the fashion, entertainment, and other creative industry spaces.
The site title acronym is Business Advice, Fashion Facts, Law & Entertainment Domain. You’ll find all of that here.
The blog is led by Victoria Watkins, Esq. a lawyer in Chicago, with periodic expertise from professionals in law, sustainability, business, fashion, and other areas relevant to the ecosystems.
We're currently in Style Mode
〰️
We're currently in Style Mode 〰️
STAY TUNED!
Featured Content
How the Tapestry - Capri Merger Could Have Been Styled Differently
In the ever-evolving world of fashion business, few moves sparked as much intrigue—and legal scrutiny—as the proposed $8.5 billion merger between Tapestry and Capri Holdings. At first glance, the deal promised to create an American luxury powerhouse to rival LVMH. But as the Federal Trade Commission zoomed in on "accessible luxury handbags," the broader strategic picture faded into the background. This blog explores how a more diversified and dynamic presentation of the merger—beyond handbags—might have changed its trajectory, both in the courtroom and in the market.
The Ladies of Fashion Law
When it comes to fashion law, the spotlight often lands on the industry’s biggest names in design, but there’s another group making an equally powerful impact: the lawyers. And not just any lawyers—women who are blending their love for law and style, helping creatives protect their work, navigate complex legal issues, and shape one of the fastest-growing niches in the legal world.
Fashion law is more than a buzzword—it’s an intersection of IP, branding, contracts, labor, and international business. But what makes it even more exciting is the community forming around it. We’ve seen the gents, and now it’s time to highlight some of the incredible women who are shaping the practice from classrooms to courtrooms, boardrooms to blogs.
This post shines a light on just a few of the many contributors to fashion law. These women are professors, policymakers, litigators, advisors, and innovators. They’re leading the charge with passion and purpose—and most importantly, in their own words.
Is Your Capital Stack, Stacked?
Building a business takes more than passion—it takes capital. Whether you’re launching a boutique, a tech startup, or a consulting firm, funding the vision is one of the first real hurdles entrepreneurs face. From registering your business to launching your first website, money is a must. But where that money comes from—and how it’s structured—can make or break your trajectory. Enter the capital stack: the layered strategy behind every savvy founder’s financial foundation. In this blog, we’ll break down the funding options that matter and help you figure out how to get your capital stack truly… stacked.
Practical Guides
This deck offers a compelling examination of the counterfeit goods crisis plaguing major cities like Chicago and New York. It explores the economic, social, and legal impacts of counterfeit markets, spotlighting law enforcement efforts and the gray areas of production that fuel this billion-dollar issue.
Focused on entrepreneurs and creatives, this presentation introduces the foundational concepts of trademarks and their vital role in brand protection and long-term value. It highlights common pitfalls, legal safeguards, and the enduring significance of intellectual property for brand identity
This deck serves as a strategic guide for fashion entrepreneurs seeking funding, with insights on financial metrics, investor alignment, go-to-market strategy, and valuation. It empowers founders to build investor-ready brands through smart capital planning, margin management, and brand loyalty cultivation