The Fashion Law Africa Summit (TFLAS) is where fashion law, business, education, and innovation meet to highlight paths to scale, protect, and expand brands globally.
Day 1 is a complimentary celebratory evening, while Day 2, summit day, is a ticketed event featuring insightful panels, expert-led workshops, and curated brand experiences.
On both days, early arrivals enjoy complimentary beverages at the TFLAS Cafe.
Dec 1st, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Dec 2nd, 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Former Senior Buyer at Saks Global & Luxury Brand Retail Strategy, by Shar
Sharmaine Harrison is a Luxury Brand and Retail Strategy Consultant with 15 years of buying and merchandising experience at Saks Global and Macy’s Inc. A Howard University alumna, she now calls New York home as she continues to advance her career in the industry.
General Counsel, MSCHF
John Belcaster is the General Counsel of MSCHF, drawing on a rare blend of experience across fintech, law, software development, and global entrepreneurship. A Yale-trained attorney and former Yale Law Journal editor, he previously practiced alongside Barack Obama and has advised ventures worldwide.
VP, Chief Commercial & IP Counsel, LVMH
Rachelle Laroche is VP, Chief Commercial and IP Counsel at LVMH, guiding brand and IP strategy across 75 Maisons. A Penn-trained attorney, she previously drove global trademark work at Johnson & Johnson and Burberry and serves on multiple boards advancing equity and the arts
Founder & Designer, Chuks Collin’s
Chuks Collins is a multidisciplinary artist and co-founder of the African Fashion Council and his brand, Chuks Collins. He shapes African and Diasporic design globally, blending heritage, sustainability, and innovation while championing ethical practices and emerging talent.
Media Personality & Culture Writer, OkayAfrica
Zee Ngema is a South African media personality, living in NYC and covering Africa and the Diaspora. She’s helping to build the bridge that connects Africa’s powerful voices with our global community and reflecting our beauty back to us. Her work with OkayAfrica is helping to shape the global narrative around the continent, as well as empower voices on the ground.
Senior VP & Assistant General Counsel, PVH
Jeffrey Hellman is Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at PVH Corp., overseeing mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and commercial litigation for brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein. He is also an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School, pro bono counsel to the Fashion Scholarship Fund, and serves on the board of Comprehensive Youth Development.
Curator of Costume & Accessories, The Museum at FIT
Dr. Elizabeth Way, Curator of Costume and Accessories at FIT, has curated exhibitions including Africa’s Fashion Diaspora (2024) and Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous (2023) and edited Black Designers in American Fashion (2021), Ann Lowe: American Couturier (2023), and Africa’s Fashion Diaspora (2024). She holds an M.A. from NYU, a doctorate from Central Saint Martins, and will open a new exhibition on fashion and fine art in February 2026.
Former Senior Editor at ESSENCE, Consultant & Writer
Robyn Mowatt is a senior editor and writer covering Black culture, music, and African fashion, with bylines in Vogue, Elle, Rolling Stone, NPR, and Essence. She’s a former editor at Hypebae, Okayplayer, and Essence, where she highlighted emerging talent and expanded coverage of African designers.
Founder & Creative Director, OFUURE
Tehilah Abakasanga is the founder and creative director of ÖFUURË, a Toronto-based fashion brand celebrated for its bold, inclusive designs and global influence. A Nigerian-Canadian entrepreneur, Tehilah is passionate about using fashion to empower women to feel confident, seen, and unstoppable.
Founder & Creative Director, Nalebe
Amina Means is the Founder and Creative Director of Nalebe, a luxury footwear brand blending craftsmanship, heritage, and comfort. Inspired by her own experience with injury, she launched Nalebe to create stylish, wearable shoes, combining her MBA-backed business expertise to drive global growth.
Fashion Editor & Co-Founder, NYCXCLOTHES & Market Appointment
Shelcy Joseph, Fashion Editor and Co-Founder of NYCXCLOTHES, spotlights original voices and examines the intersection of style, business, and society through her editorial work and her newsletter Market Appointment. Her writing has appeared in leading publications including The Wall Street Journal, ESSENCE, Forbes, POPSUGAR, and Who What Wear.
Attorney, Fashion Law Professor & Author of Who Owns Culture?
Susan Scafidi, Fashion Law Professor and Author of Who Owns Culture?, is internationally recognized as the founder of the field of Fashion Law and the first professor to teach it. She also founded and directs the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School, the world’s first center dedicated to the law and business of fashion
Senior Legal Counsel, Americas
Paula Barnes is Senior Legal Counsel, Americas, with deep experience in luxury and retail law. She advises North and Latin American teams on marketing, regulatory compliance, brand protection, digital/e-commerce, and social media. She also guides environmental strategy, sustainability, and community initiatives, and manages key commercial agreements, including designer collaborations, licensing, sponsorships, and talent releases.
Global Entrepreneur, Sustainable Fashion Pioneer & Founder, Mariama Fashion Production
Mariama Camara is a Guinean-born textile designer, global entrepreneur, and cultural preservationist who pioneered Made-in-Africa fashion on the world stage, becoming the first African textile designer to present African textiles at New York Fashion Week and producing handcrafted pieces worn by global icons.
As founder of Mariama Fashion Production and co-founder of There Is No Limit Foundation, she empowers West African artisans, partners with major fashion houses, preserves traditional dyeing techniques, and is building the Institute of African Textiles to protect and document Africa’s textile heritage.
Acclaimed Celebrity Stylist, Creative Director & Image Curator
Fatima B. is an acclaimed stylist, creative director, and image curator behind some of music’s most iconic fashion moments. Tokyo-born and NYC-based, she’s spent over a decade shaping the looks of Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd, Wiz Khalifa, Meek Mill, 21 Savage, Swizz Beatz, the late Nipsey Hussle, and more.
Her work goes beyond clothes — she builds visual identity. Fatima draws from each artist’s spirit and state of mind, creating style narratives that amplify their music and move culture forward.
Recognized Stylist & CEO, KMCME
Kesha McLeod is a globally recognized stylist and CEO of KMCME, shaping the intersection of fashion, entertainment, and sports. Known for crafting iconic looks for stars like Serena Williams, James Harden, and PJ Tucker, she’s also a sought-after creative strategist and author.
Her work consistently pushes culture forward through bold storytelling and innovation. Celebrated as a cultural architect, Kesha continues to redefine how style shows up across industries.
VP of Global Business Development,
Informa Markets Fashion
Edwina Kulego is a global business executive, speaker, and cultural ambassador at the intersection of fashion, beauty, and international markets. With a career spanning global trade, brand partnerships, and leadership across multiple continents, she offers a unique perspective on how style, business, and culture intersect. She has collaborated with leading brands, shaped international growth strategies, and championed inclusion and sustainability in the fashion and beauty industries.
Editorial Director, Models.com
Irene Ojo-Felix is a Brooklyn-based editor, casting director, and media consultant with over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry. She is currently the Editorial Director at Models.com, the leading database platform for the fashion industry. Throughout her career, Irene has collaborated with prominent fashion models, creatives, and influencers, interviewing icons like Alek Wek, Anok Yai, Adut Akech, Tyson Beckford, Irina Shayk, and Alex Consani, along with countless others. Through her role at Models.com, Irene has provided a platform for Black creatives and models, throughout the diaspora, helping them gain the international recognition they deserve.
The Fashion Law Africa Summit (TFLAS) is a global platform empowering Black and diaspora-led fashion and beauty founders through access, mentorship, and legal and business education.
Our mission is to bridge creativity, commerce, and protection — providing founders with the knowledge and tools to scale confidently and sustainably.
