Mediation is used in the fashion apparel industry to resolve civil and commercial disputes that arise between people working in the industry.  It can be used for international and domestic disputes, and is a voluntary process that makes it possible to protect the mutually beneficial relationships that have been forged over time.

One of the most important factors in a successful fashion industry mediation is the mediator.  Skilled mediators should not only be effective communicators and able to manage a mediation session, they should also be experts in the fashion industry.  This eliminates the need for lengthy and time-consuming explanations of the issues in the dispute.  Parties can simply begin by focusing on the potential resolutions to the problem they face.

Many professionals in the fashion industry include mediation clauses in their contracts, so mediation is the first line of defense when a dispute arises.  This ensures disputing parties have a quick, simple, and affordable method in place to help them resolve problems.  It is still possible for parties to pursue arbitration or litigation should mediation fail, but the starting point gives them an opportunity to settle the dispute in the most efficient way possible.

Mediation is the only means for resolving a dispute in which you can be in control of the outcome.  It guarantees that even if parties do not receive everything they want, they will have a say in the resolution and be at least partially satisfied with the end result.

A final benefit of mediation in the apparel and fashion industry is its ability to keep private issues private.  Mediation is completely confidential, so the sensitive and proprietary information of those involved does not become a matter of public record.  Everyone can walk away from the dispute happy with not just the outcome, but also the process.