AAFA news and archive

Trump is to be the next US president: What does this mean for fashion and retail?

“America has spoken,” as said by Steve Lamar, president and chief executive officer of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA). Donald Trump is to return to the White House to serve as the 47th US president, while his Republican party has also won control of the Senate. With dozens of races still to be called, meaning power over the...

Business|Interview Featured

AAFA president on the US election year, counterfeiting and conscious regulation

The US election is continuing to heat up, with voting day now visibly on the horizon. While at the forefront of debates are the policies and outlooks presented by political candidates, there is much behind-the-scenes work by industry representatives that goes well beyond the deadlines of ballot entries. For fashion, the American Apparel &...

Business

AAFA and FLA urge interim Bangladesh government to improve worker rights

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) together with the Fair Labor Association (FLA) have issued a joint letter to Bangladesh’s interim government calling on the improvement of worker rights for the country’s garment, footwear and travel goods industries. In a letter to Mohammad Yunus, chief advisor for the interim government of...

Business

AAFA supports call to extend duty-free deal with African markets

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has welcomed and expressed support for a new bill attempting to extend the currently in place African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is set to expire September 2025. The AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024, introduced by Senators Chris Coons and James Risch, calls on the original...

Business

AAFA calls on Bangladesh to stop 'threats' to garment workers

American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has called for an end to "the threats and crackdown on garment workers in Bangladesh" in an open letter addressed to the president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA). In recent months, the protesters have been protesting against one of the lowest wages in the world,...

Business

American fashion industry welcomes California’s climate accountability act

Organisations leading the American fashion industry have outlined their support of California’s proposed Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) in a joint letter. The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the Accessories Council and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) came together to approve the legislation,...

Business

Ralph Lauren, Lululemon and PVH execs among newly appointed AAFA board members

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has announced the renewal of its board of directors, with the addition of 16 new and re-elected board members. Those selected will step into their positions for the 2023-24 term, including that of board leadership. Lululemon’s chief supply chain officer, Ted Dagnese, will take over as chair of...

Business

AAFA establishes partnership with IAF to tackle supply chain issues

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has announced a new partnership with the International Apparel Federation (IAF) which sees the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) underlining the commitment to bring industry players together across the supply chain. The renewed agreement will also ensure that the two organisations...

Business

AAFA calls out Meta and Shopee for enabling counterfeiting

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has increased its pressure on US authorities as it continues to call for the implementation of policy changes and the establishment of consistent brand protection in regards to fighting counterfeits. As part of its campaign, AAFA has nominated Singaporean e-commerce company Shopee and Mark...

Fashion Partner Content

AAFA welcomes USTR’S Notorious Markets Report - one tool in an urgent effort to curb counterfeits

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) praised today’s release of the 2021 Review of Notorious Markets by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Unsafe counterfeits lurk everywhere we turn, including a number of trusted, and emerging, e-commerce platforms. Year over year, we are pleased that USTR — and other...

Fashion Partner Content

AAFA cites causes for 40-year inflation spike and fashion sticker shock

American Apparel & Footwear Association President and CEO Steve Lamar reacted to reports today that prices in America rose 6.8 percent in the 12 months ending in November – the largest rise in nearly 40 years. Prices for clothing and footwear rose 5 percent and 4.7 percent during this time. “These price increases for apparel and footwear are...

Fashion Partner Content

AAFA flags extensive counterfeit concerns on social media in notorious markets submission

AAFA submitted comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative recommending platforms and marketplaces – including Facebook and Instagram – for Notorious Market designations. The American Apparel & Footwear Association cited significant increases in the availability of counterfeit products via social media in its submission for...