Podcast Summary: Khloé in Wonder Land

Episode: "Something Borrowed, Something Sued" ft. Hayley Paige

Host: Khloé Kardashian
Guest: Hayley Paige (wedding dress designer)
Date: April 8, 2026

Overview

This emotional and candid episode dives into the extraordinary legal and personal journey of renowned wedding dress designer Hayley Paige, most famous for her whimsical bridal creations—and later, for her prolonged legal battle over the rights to her very own name. Khloé and Hayley unpack the cautionary tale of signing away rights, the psychological toll of litigation, the creative pivots Hayley made, and her mission to support and educate young creators through advocacy. The episode also brings wedding dress trends, fun rapid-fire bridal questions, and advice for anyone navigating the entrepreneurial world.

Main Discussion Points

1. Hayley's Background and Initial Success

• Hayley introduces herself as a wedding dress designer whose passion was discovered early thanks to her grandmother’s lessons in sewing.
• Bridal became her core identity: "It became my identity very, very young in life... bridal is kind of the equalizer in that anyone can be a main character as the bride." (Hayley Paige, 02:02)
• Discusses her early career dreams—making women feel confident, secure, and special in dresses.

2. The Perils of Contracts and Creativity

• At age 25, Hayley signed an employment contract with JLM Couture, which included a non-compete clause and the trademarking of her actual birth name. She signed without legal counsel due to lack of resources and eagerness for opportunity.
• Khloé underscores how common it is to get trapped in unfavorable contracts, even with legal representation.
  • "I have signed crazy things in my life that I'm like... what the fuck did I just sign?" (Khloé, 04:24)
• Intellectual property lesson: Hayley reflects on how contracts are “intellectual property software” that can be outdated, and how negotiating them is critical.
• Realization: "When you don't know what your value is, somebody else is gonna define it for you." (Hayley Paige, 04:58)

3. The Lawsuit & Losing Her Name

• Hayley describes the shock and fear of being sued by her employer during COVID-19, the imposition of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), and losing rights to her social media and even—literally—her own name.
  • "All my texts with my fiancé and like our DMs... really private messages... and then all of a sudden I couldn't even say [my name] at Starbucks." (Hayley Paige, 11:41 & 12:22)
• Her accounts were commandeered by the company, with friends and family unaware of the real situation.
  • "My family and friends who weren't told what was going on, they still thought it was me." (Hayley Paige, 14:25)

4. Community & Public Support

• Hayley’s new, small Instagram account and a viral video mobilized her bridal industry and customer community to support her.
  • "The public court is the people showed up for me, they shared it, they told bridal stores..." (Hayley Paige, 20:30)

5. The Extreme Reach of Non-Competes

• Her non-compete clause was extended from two to five years, including a ban on designing wedding dresses under any name and, bizarrely, potentially on even wearing one at her own wedding.
  • "I couldn't design using my name or design wedding dresses at all. At all. No matter what name I used." (Hayley Paige, 22:20)
  • "In your non-compete, it said that you can't wear a wedding dress on your own wedding." (Khloé, 30:29)

6. Survival, Identity and Reinvention

• Pivoted to designing shoes under the brand “She Is Cheval” (French for “horse”) during her non-compete.
• On coping: "I'm just a girl you might know." (Hayley Paige, 24:49)
• Emotional toll: “You do need to sit with your grief... I always get a little emotional when I think about, sorry, the bride.” (Hayley Paige, 26:40)
• Khloé praises her resilience and impact on brides: "You're not just some designer that's doing something in autopilot... You're a crusader." (Khloé, 26:58)

7. Advocacy and Changing the Law

• Senator Elizabeth Warren invited Hayley to testify before the Senate on non-competes right after Hayley regained her intellectual property through bankruptcy proceedings.
  • "She had followed the story and she watched Say Yes to the Dress... I'd love for you to come testify and tell your story." (Hayley Paige, 38:47)
• Started “A Girl You Might Know” Foundation—offering young entrepreneurs legal resources and advice, especially about contracts and personal branding.
• Hayley's landmark case changed case law on social media ownership:
  • "They found basic property law can be applied to a social media account... it belongs to the original holder and opener of the account." (Hayley Paige, 43:07)
  • She ultimately got her name and social media accounts back.

8. Healing & Creative Passions

• Movement and physical exercise were key to surviving litigation stress: "Movement was far more profound in my ability to deal with my situation than manifesting." (Hayley Paige, 46:14)
• Hayley shares her renewed creative drive and gratitude:
  • "I fought for it and got it back." (Hayley Paige, 45:15)
• Current focus: blending her “She Is Cheval” brand with her restored “Hayley Paige” name and bridal company.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A contract is really intellectual property software. And software needs to be updated.” (Hayley Paige, 04:58)
• “I was even found in contempt of court for sketching on social media.” (Hayley Paige, 23:02)
• “You’re going to see me. Exactly.” (Khloé, 00:18)
• “This community rally was like, go design something else!” (Hayley Paige, 23:45)
• “Going through things where part of you breaks, you realize it's a shedding and that there is something you can leave behind.” (Hayley Paige, 29:00)
• “You sign a contract and basically sign away your constitutional rights.” (Hayley Paige, 45:21)
• “They found basic property law can be applied to a social media account... so unless... written into a contract... it belongs to the original holder.” (Hayley Paige, 43:07)
• “Now when I say my name, it comes with this just real gratitude and humility and, like, fortitude.” (Hayley Paige, 44:57)
• “I feel like I didn’t lose my whimsy through the wicked parts.” (Hayley Paige, 51:33)

Key Timestamps

• 00:04 – Hayley describes her employment agreement and non-compete
• 02:02 – Discovering bridal as an identity/obsession
• 03:26 – Signing her first big contract at 25 without legal counsel
• 10:16 – First lawsuit, court-ordered loss of her name/social accounts
• 14:25 – Company posing as Hayley on her own social media
• 21:31 – Explanation of non-competes and their (over)broad application
• 22:45 – Pivoting from bridal to shoes, creating "She Is Cheval"
• 26:38 & 32:00 – Emotional moments, the toll on her personal life, and relationship growth
• 38:47 – Senate testimony and advocacy work
• 43:07 – Legal win: property law applies to social accounts; recovers Instagram
• 46:14 – Healing through movement/workouts
• 48:15 – Rebranding and merging Cheval & Hayley Paige
• 51:43 – Bridal trends: Basque waists, color dresses, "whimsy through the wicked parts"
• 53:01 – Fastest dress turnaround: her sister’s surprise wedding
• 63:14 – Reflections on influence/audience, building trustworthy brands
• 64:51 – Foundations, web/app info, where to find Hayley Paige’s work

Fun & Fashion: Bridal Rapid-Fire

• Favorite current trends: Basque waists, color in wedding dresses (blush, blue, champagne), structured/architectural gowns
• Veil or no veil? Always veil! (55:27)
• Destination wedding or hometown? Destination (Italy, here we come!)
• Classic or dramatic gown? Dramatic
• Aisle reveal vs. first look? Aisle reveal is the moment

Resources & Where to Find Hayley

• Nonprofit: A Girl You Might Know Foundation
• Bridal: haleypaige.com
• Instagram: @MsHayleyPaige (recovered!), @sheischeval
• App: Holy Mattress Emoji (wedding-themed emoji app)

Conclusion & Takeaways

• Don’t sign contracts without full understanding and expert legal guidance.
• Your name and creative work are invaluable; protect them.
• Setbacks, even traumatic ones, can lead to positive transformation and new advocacy roles.
• Build resilient communities and ask for help—public voices can make all the difference.
• Creativity and movement are powerful tools for healing.
• Hayley's story is a cautionary tale but ultimately a hopeful reminder to honor one’s value, stay nimble, and always fight for your identity.

This episode is rich with hard-earned wisdom, light moments, and inspiration—a must for anyone in creative industries, business, or simply seeking a story of reinvention and perseverance.