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...

EventPress Release

AAFA Executive Summit Keynote Announcement: Joanne Crevoiserat Takes the Stage

The 2025 AAFA Executive Summit – Trust & Transformation – will return to Washington, D.C. March 5-7. Sessions will address key issues driving the industry's responsible growth and sustainable progress, building trust, future-proofing the industry, and shaping smart policies that support transformative and sound business practices. Joanne...

EventPress Release

2025 AAFA Executive Summit: Trust and Transformation

The American Apparel & Footwear Association’s AAFA Executive Summit returns to Washington, D.C. on March 5-7, 2025, to address the pivotal issues impacting the industry’s responsible growth and sustainable progress. In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, Trust and Transformation are not just buzzwords – they are the foundations for...

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...

FashionPress Release

Reebok: Collaborative Product Series with Latin rapper-singer Anuel AA

A special footwear capsule offers a creative journey through the Latin rapper-singer’s past, present, and future. Reebok, the iconic and irreverent sports culture brand, and Latin rapper-singer and brand partner Anuel AA, announced a collaborative product series titled “Soy Leyenda” (“I Am Legend”). Chapter 1 of the series, “I Will Be Legend”,...

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...

BusinessPress Release

Joint Association Statement on New DHS Textile Trade Enforcement

The following statement is on behalf of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the National Retail Federation, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, and the United States Fashion Industry Association in response to today’s announcement by the Department of Homeland Security regarding new enforcement actions to crack down on allegations...

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,...

BusinessPress Release

AAFA Flags Importance of Notorious Markets Review and Calls for Accountability

The American Apparel & Footwear Association applauds the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and interagency partners, in issuing today's annual Notorious Markets report. "We are pleased to see that USTR retained two markets on the list – DHGate and Shopee. At the same time, three key markets that AAFA nominated - Meta,...

EventPress Release

The 2024 AAFA Executive Summit: Fashioning a Healthy Future

The 2024 AAFA Executive Summit – Fashioning a Healthy Future – will return to Washington, D.C. March 6-8. The thought-provoking panels will address pivotal issues impacting the industry’s growth and progress, the program infuses priorities of ESG, and future-proofing our industry, along with the industry’s role in influencing smart...

BusinessPress Release

AAFA welcomes nomination of Nelson Cunningham as deputy USTR

The American Apparel & Footwear Association praised the nomination of Nelson Cunningham as Deputy United States Trade Representative. “We look forward to working with Nelson and the USTR team to focus on policies that we need in 2024 and beyond. Trade offers so many benefits at home and around the world, from economic and security improvements...