Terms and Conditions
1. Acceptance of Terms. By accessing and using the Paris Fashion Week Network website (“Site”) or any services offered by Scholars Network Limited trading as Paris Fashion Week Network (“PFWN”, “we”, “us”), you (“User” or “you” – including designers, their representatives, or other users) agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you must not use this Site or our services. Participation in any PFWN event or program is also deemed acceptance of these Terms. You affirm that you are at least 18 years old or the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction (or you have parental consent and supervision to use the Site, with a parent/guardian agreeing to these Terms on your behalf).
2. Services Overview. PFWN provides a platform for fashion designers to showcase their work and grow their brands through events and services, including but not limited to: runway show opportunities in Paris, a curated Paris fashion tour, an online marketplace for selling collections, and related creative and promotional services (photoshoots, lookbooks, PR, etc.), collectively the “Services.” We act as an organizer and facilitator of these experiences, collaborating with various models, venues, and partners to execute events. PFWN is an independent entity and is not the official Paris Fashion Week run by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode; rather, we produce independent shows and programs that occur during Paris Fashion Week period to highlight emerging talent. All Service details (such as schedules, deliverables, and prices) are described on our Site and marketing materials, but are subject to change or update. We reserve the right to modify or discontinue any Service (in whole or part) without prior notice, but if you have already paid for a Service, we will fulfill our obligations or provide an equivalent alternative.
3. Designer Eligibility and Responsibilities. Designers applying or signing up for PFWN opportunities must ensure that all information submitted is truthful and accurate. You must have the legal right to represent the brand and designs you submit (e.g., you are the brand owner or authorized agent). You are responsible for obtaining any visas or travel documents required to attend Paris events (for the Tour or Show). You also agree to cooperate in a timely manner with PFWN staff requests – for example, providing collection photos, information for show brochures, or confirming travel arrangements by stated deadlines. Failure to provide required materials or responses may result in forfeiting your spot or delays, without liability on PFWN’s part. We also expect that you have the necessary insurance for your person and property (we strongly advise designers to insure their collection samples against loss or damage; PFWN is not liable for damage or loss of garments or personal items during events).
4. Application, Selection, and Enrollment. Some Services (like participation in the Fashion Show) may require an application or vetting process. Submitting an Expression of Interest or application does not guarantee acceptance into a program. PFWN will evaluate applications based on criteria such as the quality of the collection, brand readiness, and fit for the event, at our sole discretion. We may require additional information (portfolio, lookbook, interviews) during selection. If you are selected, we will issue an acceptance notice along with any next steps (such as signing a formal agreement or invoice for payment). Until we confirm acceptance and receive required payments, no binding contract for event participation is formed, and PFWN shall not be responsible to provide the Service. We reserve the right to decline any application for any reason (for example, if capacity is full or the designer’s style is not a match for the showcase) without obligation to provide feedback or justification.
5. Fees, Pricing, and Payment Terms. By purchasing any package or service, you agree to pay the fees specified. All prices are listed in Euros (€) and, unless stated otherwise, are exclusive of any applicable taxes (VAT) or transaction fees, which may be added where required. Payment terms are as follows:
Deposit: Upon acceptance into a runway show or package, a non-refundable deposit of [percentage or amount] may be required to secure your spot. The exact deposit and schedule will be communicated in your offer letter. For example, we may require 50% upfront to hold your place in the show.
Balance Payment: The remaining balance (if a deposit was taken) must be paid by the deadline provided (typically several weeks before the event start date). For services booked on short notice (within 30 days of event), full payment may be required immediately.
Payment Methods: We accept major credit cards, bank transfers, and other payment methods as indicated at checkout or on your invoice. Online payments will be processed through a secure third-party payment gateway. You must provide current, valid payment information, and you authorize us to charge such payment method for all amounts due.
Late Payments: If payments are not received by their due date, PFWN reserves the right to cancel your participation or order, and any deposit paid will be forfeited. We may, at our discretion, offer a grace period or alternative arrangements, but this is not guaranteed. Late payments may incur interest at the rate permitted by law (for example, 2% per month) and you will be responsible for any collection costs incurred by us.
Currency and Exchange: All payments are taken in Euros. If you are paying from a non-Euro account, you are responsible for exchange rates and any foreign transaction fees.
6. Cancellation, Rescheduling and Refund Policy.
Cancellation by Designer/Customer: All sales are considered final. Due to the significant upfront costs in organizing fashion events and custom services, payments are generally non-refundable. If you choose to cancel your participation or order:
If you cancel in writing within 14 days of purchase (and if the event start is at least 30 days away), we may offer a partial refund or credit at our discretion, minus any administrative fees or costs already incurred. After 14 days from purchase, or if the event/service is within 30 days, no refunds will be issued.
Deposits are non-refundable in all cases (except in the event PFWN cancels the program as described below).
If you cancel but have received tangible items (e.g., printed lookbooks, business cards), the value of those items plus any delivery costs will be deducted from any potential refund or credit.
“No-shows” or failure to utilize the service (e.g., not showing up for the fashion show or tour, or not providing us the necessary materials to set up your online marketplace) are not eligible for refunds. It is your responsibility to attend and participate or to coordinate with us if an emergency arises.
Transfers: If you cannot attend an event, you may request to transfer your spot to another person/designer you designate, but this is subject to PFWN’s prior approval (the substitute must meet our criteria). Additional transfer fees or conditions may apply. If approved, the new party will be bound by these same Terms.
Cancellation or Changes by PFWN: PFWN reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify an event or service if circumstances necessitate (for example, venue issues, insufficient number of participants, or other operational concerns).
If we cancel an event entirely and do not offer a rescheduled date, registered designers will be entitled to a refund of fees already paid for that event (this will be the full and sole compensation – we will not be liable for other costs you incurred, such as travel bookings, which should be insured by you).
If we reschedule an event (change of date or venue) , your reservation will be moved to the new date. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled date, you must notify us in writing within a week of the announcement; we may then offer you a credit for a future event or partial refund at our discretion. Failure to notify us will be deemed acceptance of the new schedule.
PFWN also reserves the right to make minor changes to event agendas (e.g., change in schedule timing, swapping a tour activity, or the number of looks allowed) to improve the experience or as needed. Such changes will not entitle participants to any refund as long as the core offering is delivered.
In the unlikely event we need to terminate an ongoing service (for example, end the online marketplace earlier than planned), we will provide a pro-rated refund for any period of service not provided.
Force Majeure: If performance of our obligations is prevented or hindered by circumstances beyond our reasonable control (force majeure events such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, strikes, government restrictions, acts of war, etc.), PFWN shall be excused from such performance. In such cases, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule or adapt the Services, but no refund is required if the services are postponed. If the event must be canceled entirely due to force majeure, we will issue appropriate credits or partial refunds considering expenditures already made.
For more details, please refer to our Refund Policy page, which is incorporated herein by reference. These terms on cancellations and refunds are designed to be as binding as a contract; by agreeing, you acknowledge that the refund limitations are reasonable given the custom nature of our events.
7. Participant Conduct and Obligations. When you participate in any PFWN event or use our Services, you agree to the following:
Professional Conduct: Maintain professionalism and respect toward all participants, staff, and third parties. Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior will not be tolerated. We have the right to remove anyone (designer or guest) from an event or halt services for misconduct, without refund .
Compliance with Instructions: Follow all guidelines provided by PFWN staff or contractors. For the runway show, you must adhere to schedules (e.g., call times for rehearsals, fittings), and abide by limits like number of outfits, model selection process, etc. For the tour, you should respect timings and group rules (e.g., meet-up times, no causing delays). For photoshoots, cooperate with the photographer’s directions to ensure an efficient session.
Venue and Third-Party Rules: Abide by the rules of venues, hotels, transportation services, or any third-party facilities used during our events. For example, no smoking in non-smoking areas, no outside alcohol at venues, etc. If on a guided tour, obey the local laws and respect cultural norms.
No Unlawful Use: Do not use our Site or Services for any illegal or unauthorized purpose. Do not attempt to hack, spam, or distribute malware via our Site. Do not engage in any activity that would constitute a criminal offense or give rise to civil liability.
Attire and Decorum: (For runway designers) ensure your collection meets general decency standards and does not include offensive imagery or messaging that could cause harm or legal issues. We reserve the right to ask for modifications if something is extremely controversial or violates rights.
Safety: Prioritize safety – do not do anything that puts yourself or others at risk during events. Notify staff of any health issues or emergencies immediately. If you bring any assistants or models (outside of those we provide), you are responsible for their behavior and compliance as well.
PFWN reserves the right to refuse continued service or future applications from anyone who violates these conduct terms or brings our reputation into disrepute through their actions.
8. Intellectual Property Rights.
Site Content: All content on the Site – including text, graphics, logos, images, videos, design layout, and software – is the property of Paris Fashion Week Network (Scholars Network Limited) or its content suppliers and is protected by intellectual property laws. “Paris Fashion Week Network” and our logo are trademarks/service marks of Scholars Network Limited. You are granted a limited, non-transferable license to access and use the Site for personal informational purposes only. You may not reproduce, distribute, create derivative works from, or commercially exploit any portion of the Site content without our express written permission. If you wish to reference or quote our content (such as in a news article or blog), you must attribute it appropriately and not present it out of context.
User/Designer Content: As a designer or user, you retain ownership of all intellectual property rights in the content you provide to us (such as your fashion designs, brand name, logos, images you upload, etc.). PFWN does not claim ownership of your creations. However, by providing or uploading content to the Site or our Services, you grant PFWN a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and display that content as needed to fulfill the Service (for example, posting your collection photos on our website or social media to promote the runway show, or listing your products on the online marketplace). This license is also sub-licensable to our partners strictly for the purpose of delivering the Services (e.g., to media outlets for event coverage). You represent that any content you provide (a) is your original work or you have obtained all necessary rights/permissions for it, and (b) does not infringe or violate any third-party intellectual property or privacy rights. If your content (like music or art incorporated into your fashion show presentation) requires licensing, you are responsible for obtaining it. You agree to indemnify us for any losses or legal fees arising from claims that content you provided infringes someone’s rights (this ties into the indemnification section below).
PFWN Media and Materials: Any photos, videos, or multimedia produced by PFWN or our agents during events are our intellectual property (as stated in the Media Release). Designers and participants may use these materials for their personal promotion (for example, reposting a photo of your runway look on your Instagram) provided that such use is non-commercial and credits the event or PFWN appropriately. However, you may not sell or license PFWN’s photos or footage to third parties without our consent. Conversely, if media outlets or photographers cover the event independently, ownership of those works lies with their creators and is not controlled by PFWN (though typically they’ll have their own usage terms).
Trademark Note: “Paris Fashion Week” is a term often associated with the official events by FHCM. Scholars Network Limited uses the term as part of its trading name in a descriptive manner. We are not claiming rights to third-party trademarks. Any other trademarks on the Site (e.g., names of sponsors or partners) are property of their respective owners and are used with permission or under fair use. Nothing in these Terms grants any license or right to use any trademark displayed on our Site without the owner’s prior written permission.
Feedback: If you submit suggestions or feedback to us (e.g., ideas to improve a service or the website), you agree that we can use and implement those ideas without any compensation or obligation to you.
9. Disclaimers of Warranties. The PFWN Site and all Services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by law, PFWN disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that:
the Site will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free at all times,
any information (including schedules, availability, or outcomes) is accurate, complete, or current (though we strive to keep information updated),
the results obtained from using our Services will meet your expectations (for example, we cannot guarantee specific business outcomes like particular sales numbers, media coverage, or buyer interest from participating in an event).
Participating designers understand that fashion shows and marketing efforts carry inherent uncertainty; PFWN provides the platform and opportunities, but cannot guarantee success metrics. Any success stories or testimonials presented are illustrative and not a promise of similar results for all. You accept that use of our Site and Services is at your own risk. PFWN also makes no warranty that any third-party services (such as hotel accommodations or venue facilities provided during the tour) will be free of issues; however, we will use reasonable care in selecting and coordinating with partners. If you are a consumer in a jurisdiction that does not allow the disclaimer of certain warranties, some of the above disclaimers may not apply to you, and you may have rights that vary by jurisdiction.
10. Limitation of Liability. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Paris Fashion Week Network (Scholars Network Limited) or its directors, officers, employees, agents, or partners be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages whatsoever arising out of or related to your use of or inability to use the Site or Services. This includes, without limitation, damages for lost profits or revenue, loss of opportunities, loss of data, costs of procurement of substitute goods or services, or any other intangible losses, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
In particular, PFWN will not be responsible for travel expenses or other costs incurred by you in preparation for an event (e.g., flights, accommodation booked by you) – you are advised to have travel insurance to cover those potential losses if an event is changed or canceled. We also are not liable for any injury, illness, or property damage that may occur during events or tours, except to the extent caused directly by our gross negligence. Attendees participate at their own risk and are expected to follow safety guidelines.
Our total cumulative liability for any claims arising from or related to the Site or any Service, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, shall not exceed the total amount of fees you paid to us for that specific Service in the 12 months preceding the incident. For example, if your claim arises from a runway event you paid €3,000 for, our liability is capped at €3,000. If you have not paid any amount (e.g., you’re just using the free portions of the Site), we owe you no damages.
Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations of liability, so some of these limitations may not apply to you. However, our liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.
11. Indemnification. You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Paris Fashion Week Network (Scholars Network Limited) and its affiliates, officers, agents, partners, and employees (“Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, demands, causes of action, losses, liabilities, damages, judgments, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs) arising out of or related to: (a) your use of the Site or Services, or anything you do in connection with the events (e.g., your conduct at the fashion show or tour); (b) any content or information you provide to us (e.g., infringement claims regarding your designs or materials you submitted); (c) your breach of these Terms, any policy referenced herein, or any applicable law or regulation; (d) your violation of any rights of a third party (for example, if you caused injury to someone or damaged a venue property and they sue us, or if your brand’s name infringes a trademark and someone takes action).
We reserve the right to handle our legal defense as we see fit, even when you are indemnifying us, and you agree to cooperate in defending against such claims. This indemnity obligation will survive any termination of your relationship with PFWN or use of Services.
12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution. These Terms and any disputes arising out of or related to them or the use of the Services will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [Governing Law Country/State], without regard to its conflict of law principles. You agree that any legal action or proceeding concerning these Terms or the Services shall be brought in the courts of [Jurisdiction – e.g., England and Wales High Court, or Paris, France if we choose], and you hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts. You waive any objections based on venue or inconvenient forum.
If you are accessing the Services from outside this jurisdiction, you are responsible for compliance with local laws. Notwithstanding the above, PFWN may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent or stop an intellectual property violation or confidential information misuse.
13. Changes to Terms. PFWN may revise or update these Terms and Conditions at any time. We will post the revised Terms on this Site with a “Last Updated” date. In case of significant changes, we may also notify registered users via email or by a prominent notice on the Site. By continuing to use the Site or Services after such updates, you agree to be bound by the updated Terms. If you do not agree with the changes, you must cease using the Site and Services and (if applicable) may request termination of your account or agreement with us, subject to any commitments already made.
14. Miscellaneous.
Severability: If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be eliminated or limited to the minimum extent necessary, and the remainder of the Terms will remain in full force and effect.
No Waiver: PFWN’s failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of PFWN.
Assignment: You may not assign or transfer any of your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms or any obligation under it at any time as part of a business reorganization or transfer to a successor.
Entire Agreement: These Terms, along with our Privacy Policy, Media Release, Refund Policy, and any additional guidelines or rules posted in relation to specific services, constitute the entire agreement between you and PFWN regarding the use of our Site and Services, and supersede any prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals (whether oral, written, or electronic) between you and us.
Headings: Section titles in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.
15. Contact Us: If you have any questions or concerns about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at director@fashionweeknetwork.com. We are committed to clarifying any points and ensuring you have a clear understanding of your rights and obligations.