The first ever fashion law degree has been launched at Fordham University, New York. Aimed at the fashion industry, Fashion Law Institute director Susan Scafidi announced that the university would provide two academic degree programmes in fashion law - a Master of Laws which includes courses on fashion finacing, fashion modelling law, fashion licensing and sustainability and a degree programme for non-lawyers - a Master of Studies in Law - which is targeted at industry professionals wanting to know more about the laws of fashion and retail. The courses will start in the autumn. Ms Scafidi said that it had taken five years to get the project off the ground with the American Bar Association difficult to convince about the merits of fashion law.