Pandemic-related measures led to interruption in international travel and commerce, as well as to severe government restrictions on movement of people across borders. Hampered by these developments, companies across sectors struggled to bring it back to business as usual.
Global Brand
The fashion industry was no exception. Kering, the luxury group behind renowned houses in fashion, including Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent, is a global powerhouse. With business partners, employees, clients and customers worldwide, Kering’s operations depend on access to innumerable markets.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of travel bans for visitors from Europe, Kering and other fashion houses were hit hard. Kering faced significant challenges in producing major fashion shows that had been planned in the United States. In addition to travel bans, the company had to deal with consulate closures, and other complex immigration and international trade issues.
Shaping How People and Goods Move Across Borders
That’s when Kering called on Akin. For years, Akin’s top-tier international trade and immigration practices have served as trusted counsel to multinational companies and whole industries. Our lawyers help companies handle regulatory frameworks and disputes that shape how goods, services and people move around the world.
Kering relied on our lawyers to represent the company before the U.S. government to facilitate the entry of large groups of employees and freelancers, including fashion designers, ateliers, seamstresses, photographers, marketing staff and public relations teams.
The Show Goes On
Akin’s immigration lawyers obtained expedited approvals from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and leveraged their extensive experience with the U.S. Department of State to secure entry for the Kering teams. The result would have been considered a success even during normal times, but it was especially meaningful during uniquely challenging times when companies worldwide were fraught with visa issuance delays.
Our lawyers also coordinated with consulates, provided counsel on employment-based immigration options and offered compliance advice on immigration-related regulatory requirements. Akin’s strategic guidance and advocacy made it possible for all of our client’s planned fashion shows to go on. These shows contributed to the recovery of the industry and the U.S. economy as a whole, and formed a runway for the fashion industry to reach even greater heights.