She will resume wedding gown design and remain at the helm of footwear brand She is Cheval
Image via Hayley Paige Gutman, @allthatglittersonthegram
After a grueling legal battle that lasted three and a half years, Hayley Paige can finally walk the aisle once more.
“I am Hayley Paige!” The exuberant designer exclaimed in an Instagram reel released this morning, announcing that she has regained the rights to her social media accounts, intellectual property, and even use of her own name.
Hayley Paige — whose full name is Hayley Paige Gutman — was sued by former employer JLM Couture after announcing her resignation from the company in 2020. According to the complaint, JLM Couture contractually owned Gutman’s Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest accounts under the usernames “@misshayleypaige.” At that time, she was banned from using her own name publicly and professionally, and JLM Couture was given sole ownership of Gutman’s social media accounts, their content, and her previous work.
But as of this morning, those legal disputes have been settled and Hayley Paige can be “Hayley Paige” again.
“I feel like a kid on Christmas,” said Gutman. “I’m proud to share that I’ve recently and solely acquired the entire IP portfolio of Hayley Paige. This includes the entirety of my designs, catalogues of work, trademark copy right domains, any other forms of intellectual property…this is something I never thought expected to be reunited with let alone own.”
Image via Hayley Paige Gutman, @allthatglitteronthegram
After thanking her legal team, supporters, family and fiancé, Gutman clarified that she is no longer under a non-compete and will be re-entering the bridal gown industry soon. She also clarified that her footwear brand She is Cheval is “still alive and kicking in rhinestone boots,” and teased that “matching shoes and dresses” will be in the designer’s future.
“As for what you can call me, the choice is yours,” Gutman continued. “I feel privileged in having been able to share my story with you over the past few years, and to have it land so understandingly in your hearts has meant the world to me.”
