American Apparel & Footwear Association news and archive

AAFA announces Board of Directors leadership and election results for 2022-2023

The American Apparel & Footwear Association announced the renewal of its Board of Directors leadership, and the addition of eight new, appointed, and re-elected Board members. The following individuals were confirmed as AAFA’s Board of Directors leadership for the 2022-2023 term: • Sarah Clarke, PVH Corp. – Chair • Ted Dagnese, Lululemon – Vice...

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...

ReportPartner Content

Industry implores Administration to provide longer-lasting tariff exemptions on essential PPE

The American Apparel & Footwear Association responded to this afternoon’s announcement that the U.S. Trade Representative will adopt an interim extension of exclusions on Section 301 tariffs on U.S. imports of “certain medical-care products.” Many types of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face masks, have been set to expire on Sept....

ManagementFeatured

Apparel and footwear industry calls for tariff relief as shipping crisis threatens American companies and employment

American Apparel & Footwear Association President and CEO Steve Lamar sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai today, requesting relief from the Section 301 tariffs that are remnants of the Trump administration’s trade war and that are directly threatening the survival of thousands of businesses that are facing...

ReportPartner Content

AAFA welcomes expansion of USTR leadership with Bianchi confirmation as Deputy USTR

The American Apparel & Footwear Association welcomed the Senate’s confirmation of Sarah Bianchi as a Deputy United States Trade Representative today. Bianchi will work closely with the apparel and footwear industry, with portfolios covering Asia, Africa, Investment, Services, Textiles, and Industrial Competitiveness. “Sarah Bianchi brings a...

Report

AAFA welcomes confirmation of Jayme White for Deputy USTR role

The American Apparel & Footwear Association welcomed the Senate’s confirmation of Jayme White as a Deputy United States Trade Representative today. White will work closely with the apparel and footwear industry, with portfolios covering the Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, labor, and environment. “Jayme White is a highly qualified...

Fashion Partner Content

Apparel and Footwear Association supports new initiative to combat black market trade

The American Apparel & Footwear Association today joined the United to Safeguard America from Illegal Trade (USA-IT) campaign – a new public education initiative designed to provide local officials, law enforcement, and thought leaders with information and training programs to help tackle illegal trade and raise public awareness of the depth of...

BusinessPartner Content

SHOP SAFE ACT reintroduction welcomed by apparel and footwear industry

The American Apparel & Footwear Association welcomed the reintroduction of the SHOP SAFE Act today. The bipartisan bill establishes trademark liability for online marketplace platforms when a third-party sells a counterfeit that poses a risk to consumer health or safety (and when that platform does not follow certain best practices). The bill...

BusinessPartner Content

AAFA publishes 22nd edition of the industry’s Restricted Substance List

The American Apparel & Footwear Association has published the 22nd edition of the Restricted Substance List (RSL). As an open-industry resource available to both AAFA members and the broader community, the RSL supports the industry by providing a reference of all banned and restricted chemicals and substances for finished apparel, footwear,...

Fashion Partner Content

Dupe influencers’ spread counterfeits on social platforms – harming consumers and brands

Today, the American Apparel & Footwear Association released a new report on the role a small, but fast-growing group of social media influencers play in the spread of counterfeit products. The report provides a detailed account of the alarming behavior by “dupe influencers” who collectively generate millions of views, likes, and shares of...

ReportPartner Content

Joint statement from AAFA, FDRA, NRF, RILA, USFIA in support of global approach to protect citizens in Xinjiang

The American Apparel & Footwear Association, Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, and The United States Fashion Industry Association – representing a broad swath of the U.S. business community – applaud today’s announcement of a global approach to end the campaign of...