RAISEfashion Panel on Brand Collaboration, June 11, 2025

The Jewelry Edit Foundation, led by founder Rosena Sammi, partnered with RAISEfashion to presentRosena Sammi in Conversation with Paula Viola, General Counsel of Marc Jacobs. Hosted with support from LVMH, the event offered emerging designers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the intersection of fashion, law, and strategic brand building. With a personal journey thats international modeling to high-level legal counsel, Paula shared how her diverse experiences inform her approach to navigating creativity and commerce.

The discussion, titled The Art & Strategy of Collaboration – Licensing & Fashion Futures, explored key topics such as structuring licensing deals, protecting intellectual property, and evaluating the true value of brand partnerships. Paula highlighted lessons from Marc Jacobs’ groundbreaking collaborations with artists like Takashi Murakami and Stephen Sprouse, emphasizing how thoughtful partnerships can drive relevance and innovation. Designers left with practical guidance on negotiating equity, exposure, and creative control when working with larger brands.

The evening concluded with an audience Q&A, where Paula offered strategic insights on brand protection, risk management, and collaboration trends shaping the future of fashion. With clarity and candor, Rosena and Paula empowered attendees with actionable tools to build resilient, creative businesses in an increasingly collaborative industry.