Wedding-dress designer Hayley Paige got her name back. Here's a complete timeline of her yearslong legal battle with JLM Couture.

Rachel Hosie,Samantha Grindell,Lauren EdmondsMay 29, 2024, 15:46 IST

Hayley Paige Gutman settled her legal issues with JLM Couture.Nancy Pauline Photography/Courtesy of Hayley Paige

After over three years of litigation, Hayley Paige Gutman and JLM Couture settled their legal issues.
JLM first sued Gutman over her use of the @misshayleypaige social-media accounts in 2020.

After years of litigation, Hayley Paige Gutman and JLM Couture have reached a settlement agreement.

JLM sued Gutman, the designer behind Hayley Paige Bridal, in December 2020 over her use of the @misshayleypage social-media accounts. A New York District Court granted the company a temporary restraining order against the designer in March 2021.

JLM's lawsuit was followed by Gutman's resignation from the company and years of legal issues between the designer and her former employer.

But on Friday, a Delaware bankruptcy judge approved a settlement agreement between the pair that gives Gutman her name, the @misshayleypaige accounts, and all IP associated with the Hayley Paige brand.

Business Insider created a timeline to explain how the problems between Gutman and JLM arose, their messy legal battle, and the settlement that brought it all to a close.

In July 2011, wedding-dress designer Hayley Paige Gutman signed an employment agreement with fashion company JLM Couture.

Hayley Paige Gutman was in business with JLM Couture from 2011 to 2020.Slaven Vlasic / Stringer / Getty Images

On April 6, 2012, the @misshayleypaige Instagram account was launched.

A screenshot of the @misshayleypaige Instagram page.@misshayleypaige/Instagram

By November 2019, the @misshayleypaige Instagram account reached 1.1 million followers.

Gutman on an episode of "Say Yes To The Dress.""Say Yes To The Dress"/TLC

In the same month, Gutman created a TikTok account with the @misshayleypaige handle, according to a complaint filed by JLM's attorneys.

A screenshot of the @misshayleypaige TikTok account.@misshayleypaige/TikTok

Some time after, JLM Couture CEO Joe Murphy advised Gutman to post company-approved social-media posts as they began discussing a new contract, according to the complaint.

Gutman and JLM disagreed over the use of social-media accounts affiliated with her bridal brands.Brent N. Clarke/Getty Images

Some time after, JLM Couture CEO Joe Murphy advised Gutman to post company-approved social-media posts as they began discussing a new contract, according to the complaint.

By the end of 2019, Gutman removed references and links to JLM from the @misshayleypaige Instagram account's bio, the complaint said.

JLM's complaint said that Gutman used the @misshayleypaige Instagram account like an influencer.Instagram/allthatglittersonthegram

In June 2020, Gutman told JLM she believed she owned the @misshayleypaige Instagram account, according to the complaint.

Gutman believes she owns the account.Dia Dipasupil / Staff / Getty Images

JLM's complaint said Gutman began posting ads for other companies and products on the @misshayleypaige Instagram account in July 2020.

A post on the Hayley Paige Instagram account promotes goods from another company.Hayley Paige Gutman/JLM Couture/Instagram

On October 25, 2020, Gutman restored the links to JLM in the @misshayleypaige Instagram bio after a discussion with Murphy, according to the company's complaint.

The complaint says Gutman restored links to JLM on Hayley Paige-branded accounts after a meeting.Dia Dipasupil / Staff / Getty Images

JLM's complaint said that Murphy told Gutman the accounts belonged to the company in a phone call on November 3, 2020.

Joe Murphy, CEO of JLM Couture, in 2005.Duffy-Marie Arnoult / Stringer / Getty Images

On the same day, Gutman removed the links from the @misshayleypaige bio again and deleted "bridal related posts" from the account, the complaint said.

Gutman at a wedding industry event in 2017.Cindy Ord / Stringer / Getty Images

On November 23, 2020, Gutman again refused to post JLM content to @misshayleypaige and wouldn't give the company access to the Pinterest and TikTok accounts with the same handles, according to the complaint.

Gutman wouldn't hand over the accounts to JLM, according to their complaint.Anna Webber / Stringer / Getty Images

On November 23, 2020, Gutman again refused to post JLM content to @misshayleypaige and wouldn't give the company access to the Pinterest and TikTok accounts with the same handles, according to the complaint.

On December 15, 2020, JLM sued Gutman over her use of the @misshayleypaige Instagram account.

JLM sued Gutman over her use of social media affiliated with her brands."Say Yes To The Dress"/TLC

Days later, on December 21, 2020, Gutman released a video announcing her resignation from JLM on her @allthatglittersonthegram Instagram account.

Gutman's December 21 Instagram video went viral.Hayley Paige Gutman/Instagram

The next day, JLM challenged Gutman's claims in a press statement.

JLM denied Gutman's claims since her video went viral.Hayley Paige Gutman/Instagram

On December 23, 2020, JLM posted a statement on Instagram to publicly defend the company against Gutman's claims.

JLM posted a public statement to Instagram.Cindy Ord / Stringer / Getty Images

On December 24, 2020, Gutman took to Instagram to thank her fans for their support.

Gutman thanked her fans for their support.Dia Dipasupil / Staff / Getty Images

On December 27, 2020, a JLM representative said that Gutman violated the temporary restraining order a court had granted against her.

Gutman denied JLM's claim that she violated the temporary restraining order.Jamie McCarthy / Staff / Getty Images

On December 28, 2020, JLM provided Business Insider with an email that appeared to refute Gutman's claim that she didn't have a lawyer look over her first contract with the company.

Business Insider reviewed an email exchange between JLM and Gutman.Hayley Paige Gutman/Instagram

On December 28, 2020, JLM provided Business Insider with an email that appeared to refute Gutman's claim that she didn't have a lawyer look over her first contract with the company.

Gutman took to Instagram on December 29, 2020, to say she wanted to "gracefully end" her time with JLM, but that the company refused to negotiate. JLM said Gutman's assertion was "blatantly untrue."

Gutman shared a second update with her Instagram followers.Hayley Paige Gutman/Instagram

Gutman took to Instagram on December 29, 2020, to say she wanted to "gracefully end" her time with JLM, but that the company refused to negotiate. JLM said Gutman's assertion was "blatantly untrue."

Gutman announced she filed an official response to JLM's lawsuit on January 12, 2021.

Gutman legally responded to JLM's lawsuit.@allthatglittersonthegram/Instagram

On January 22, 2021, JLM filed a memorandum in support of its temporary restraining order.

JLM doubled down on its claims.Mireya Acierto / Contributor / Getty Images

On March 5, 2021, JLM was granted a preliminary injunction against Gutman.

JLM was granted a preliminary injunction.D Dipasupil / Contributor / Getty Images

Gutman announced she would be changing her professional name on Instagram on March 8, 2021.

Gutman decided to change her professional name.Instagram/allthatglittersonthegram

JLM posted a statement about the lawsuit on its corporate Instagram account on March 9, 2021.

JLM released a new statement.JLM Couture

Gutman responded to JLM's Instagram post in a statement to Business Insider on March 9, 2021.

Gutman responded to JLM via a statement to Business Insider.Instagram/allthatglittersonthegram

Hayley Paige Gutman filed a counterclaim against JLM Couture and CEO Joe Murphy on March 22, 2021.

Gutman filed a counterclaim.Eugene Gologursky / Contributor / Getty Images

In the counterclaim, Gutman alleged that Joe Murphy sexually harassed JLM employees. JLM denied the allegations in a statement sent to Business Insider.

Gutman accused Murphy of sexual harassment. JLM denied the allegations.Instagram/allthatglittersonthegram

In the counterclaim, Gutman said that Murphy harassed her on multiple occasions. JLM also denied these allegations in its statement.

Gutman alleged Murphy sexually harassed her. JLM denied the allegations.Instagram/allthatglittersonthegram

In its statement sent to Business Insider, JLM denied the allegations made in Gutman's counterclaim.

JLM denied the claims.Instagram/allthatglittersonthegram

JLM announced Francesca Pitera would be designing a new line of Hayley Paige gowns on April 9, 2021.

Francesca Pitera.Instagram/@jlm_couture

JLM filed a lawsuit against Gutman and her fiancé on May 3, 2021.

JLM filed a lawsuit against Conrad Louis, Gutman's fiancé.Slaven Vlasic / Stringer / Getty Images

Gutman told her followers about JLM's lawsuit against herself and Clevlen via Instagram on May 4, 2021.

Gutman made an Instagram video about the lawsuit.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram

A representative for JLM denied Gutman's statements on Instagram to Business Insider.

JLM responded to Gutman via a statement to Business Insider.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram

A judge denied Gutman's request to dissolve the preliminary injunction against her on June 2, 2021.

The request to dissolve the injunction was denied.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram

Gutman posted a video about the ruling on Instagram on June 7, 2021.

Gutman appealed the preliminary injunction.Slaven Vlasic / Stringer / Getty Images

In the same video, Gutman announced she would be launching a fashion label under a new name in August of 2022.

Gutman announced she would be launching a new fashion line.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram

On June 18, 2021, JLM sent Gutman's lawyer a letter saying it would file a motion for contempt if Gutman did not remove the video she posted about her intention to launch a new bridal brand.

JLM sent Gutman's lawyers a letter demanding she remove the video.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram

On June 18, 2021, JLM sent Gutman's lawyer a letter saying it would file a motion for contempt if Gutman did not remove the video she posted about her intention to launch a new bridal brand.

Gutman posted the letter in its entirety to Instagram on June 25, 2021.

Gutman posted the letter to the @allthatglittersonthegram account.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram

On July 15, 2021, JLM officially filed a motion to hold Gutman in contempt of court.

The motion was filed on July 15.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram

The memo also cited sketches Gutman shared to the @allthatglittersonthegram Instagram as evidence of her violation of the preliminary injunction.

The memo cited sketches as evidence.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram

Gutman shared the news of the motion with her fans on the @allthatglittersonthegram Instagram account on July 20, 2021.

Gutman discussed the motion of contempt on Instagram.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram

Gutman was held in contempt of court on September 8, 2021.

A judge found Gutman was in contempt of court.Eugene Gologursky / Contributor / Getty Images

Gutman shared the news on the @allthatglittersonthegram account on September 9, 2021.

Gutman posted about the ruling on Instagram.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram.

Gutman reflected on one year of legal battles with JLM Couture on December 14, 2021.

Gutman posted on @allthatglittersonthegram on December 14, 2021.Instagram/@allthatglittersonthegram

On July 25, 2022, the court denied Gutman's motion to dissolve the preliminary injunction and modified part of the injunction in JLM's favor.

The designer announced she had changed her name to Cheval on August 8, 2022.

JLM Couture filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a Delaware court on October 2, 2023.

JLM filed for bankruptcy.FuzzMartin/Getty Images

The Second Circuit vacated a portion of JLM's preliminary injunction against Gutman in January 2024.

Hayley Paige in 2018.Anna Webber/Getty Images for The Pink Agenda

Gutman filed a motion on April 15 that would require JLM to sell its assets in its bankruptcy filing instead of restructuring.

Hayley Paige Gutman filed a motion in JLM's bankruptcy case.@allthatglittersonthegram/Instagram

On May 8, the New York District Court ordered JLM to reinstate Gutman's access to the @misshayleypaige social-media accounts.

The District Court modified its ruling.Courtesy of Hayley Paige Gutman

JLM and Gutman reached a settlement agreement on May 14, giving Gutman her name and the @misshayleypaige social-media accounts.

JLM and Hayley Paige Gutman reached a settlement agreement.Nancy Pauline Photography/Courtesy of Hayley Paige

Gutman shared the news of the agreement on the @misshayleypaige Instagram on Tuesday.

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Wedding-dress designer Hayley Paige got her name back. Here's a complete timeline of her yearslong legal battle with JLM Couture.

In July 2011, wedding-dress designer Hayley Paige Gutman signed an employment agreement with fashion company JLM Couture.

On April 6, 2012, the @misshayleypaige Instagram account was launched.

By November 2019, the @misshayleypaige Instagram account reached 1.1 million followers.

In the same month, Gutman created a TikTok account with the @misshayleypaige handle, according to a complaint filed by JLM's attorneys.

Some time after, JLM Couture CEO Joe Murphy advised Gutman to post company-approved social-media posts as they began discussing a new contract, according to the complaint.

By the end of 2019, Gutman removed references and links to JLM from the @misshayleypaige Instagram account's bio, the complaint said.

In June 2020, Gutman told JLM she believed she owned the @misshayleypaige Instagram account, according to the complaint.

JLM's complaint said Gutman began posting ads for other companies and products on the @misshayleypaige Instagram account in July 2020.

On October 25, 2020, Gutman restored the links to JLM in the @misshayleypaige Instagram bio after a discussion with Murphy, according to the company's complaint.

JLM's complaint said that Murphy told Gutman the accounts belonged to the company in a phone call on November 3, 2020.

On the same day, Gutman removed the links from the @misshayleypaige bio again and deleted "bridal related posts" from the account, the complaint said.

On November 23, 2020, Gutman again refused to post JLM content to @misshayleypaige and wouldn't give the company access to the Pinterest and TikTok accounts with the same handles, according to the complaint.

On December 15, 2020, JLM sued Gutman over her use of the @misshayleypaige Instagram account.

Days later, on December 21, 2020, Gutman released a video announcing her resignation from JLM on her @allthatglittersonthegram Instagram account.

The next day, JLM challenged Gutman's claims in a press statement.

On December 23, 2020, JLM posted a statement on Instagram to publicly defend the company against Gutman's claims.

On December 24, 2020, Gutman took to Instagram to thank her fans for their support.

On December 27, 2020, a JLM representative said that Gutman violated the temporary restraining order a court had granted against her.

On December 28, 2020, JLM provided Business Insider with an email that appeared to refute Gutman's claim that she didn't have a lawyer look over her first contract with the company.

Gutman took to Instagram on December 29, 2020, to say she wanted to "gracefully end" her time with JLM, but that the company refused to negotiate. JLM said Gutman's assertion was "blatantly untrue."

Gutman announced she filed an official response to JLM's lawsuit on January 12, 2021.

On January 22, 2021, JLM filed a memorandum in support of its temporary restraining order.

On March 5, 2021, JLM was granted a preliminary injunction against Gutman.

Gutman announced she would be changing her professional name on Instagram on March 8, 2021.

JLM posted a statement about the lawsuit on its corporate Instagram account on March 9, 2021.

Gutman responded to JLM's Instagram post in a statement to Business Insider on March 9, 2021.

Hayley Paige Gutman filed a counterclaim against JLM Couture and CEO Joe Murphy on March 22, 2021.

In the counterclaim, Gutman alleged that Joe Murphy sexually harassed JLM employees. JLM denied the allegations in a statement sent to Business Insider.

In the counterclaim, Gutman said that Murphy harassed her on multiple occasions. JLM also denied these allegations in its statement.

In its statement sent to Business Insider, JLM denied the allegations made in Gutman's counterclaim.

JLM announced Francesca Pitera would be designing a new line of Hayley Paige gowns on April 9, 2021.

JLM filed a lawsuit against Gutman and her fiancé on May 3, 2021.

Gutman told her followers about JLM's lawsuit against herself and Clevlen via Instagram on May 4, 2021.

A representative for JLM denied Gutman's statements on Instagram to Business Insider.

A judge denied Gutman's request to dissolve the preliminary injunction against her on June 2, 2021.

Gutman posted a video about the ruling on Instagram on June 7, 2021.

In the same video, Gutman announced she would be launching a fashion label under a new name in August of 2022.

On June 18, 2021, JLM sent Gutman's lawyer a letter saying it would file a motion for contempt if Gutman did not remove the video she posted about her intention to launch a new bridal brand.

Gutman posted the letter in its entirety to Instagram on June 25, 2021.

On July 15, 2021, JLM officially filed a motion to hold Gutman in contempt of court.

The memo also cited sketches Gutman shared to the @allthatglittersonthegram Instagram as evidence of her violation of the preliminary injunction.

Gutman shared the news of the motion with her fans on the @allthatglittersonthegram Instagram account on July 20, 2021.

Gutman was held in contempt of court on September 8, 2021.

Gutman shared the news on the @allthatglittersonthegram account on September 9, 2021.

Gutman reflected on one year of legal battles with JLM Couture on December 14, 2021.

On July 25, 2022, the court denied Gutman's motion to dissolve the preliminary injunction and modified part of the injunction in JLM's favor.

The designer announced she had changed her name to Cheval on August 8, 2022.

JLM Couture filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a Delaware court on October 2, 2023.

The Second Circuit vacated a portion of JLM's preliminary injunction against Gutman in January 2024.

Gutman filed a motion on April 15 that would require JLM to sell its assets in its bankruptcy filing instead of restructuring.

On May 8, the New York District Court ordered JLM to reinstate Gutman's access to the @misshayleypaige social-media accounts.

JLM and Gutman reached a settlement agreement on May 14, giving Gutman her name and the @misshayleypaige social-media accounts.

Gutman shared the news of the agreement on the @misshayleypaige Instagram on Tuesday.