AAFA news and archive

Nate Herman named Executive Vice President of American Apparel & Footwear Association

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has promoted Nate Herman to Executive Vice President, the organization announced Monday. In his new role, Herman will work alongside AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar to guide the association’s membership initiatives and support the Board of Directors. Herman previously served as Senior Vice...

FashionPress Release

Footwear and apparel group gets jump start on celebrating 250 years of America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 2, 2025 – The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has joined America250.org, the bipartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the 250th commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, as a Supporting Partner to amplify and celebrate America's heritage Today, AAFA represents more...

BusinessPress Release

Apparel and footwear industry responds to the suspension of the heightened tariffs on China

The American Apparel & Footwear Association responds following President Trump's executive order "Further Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Ongoing Discussions with The People's Republic of China," which extends the temporary reduction of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports from China maintaining the baseline rate of 30 percent for...

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US trade organisations commend Trump’s comments on sneaker and T-shirt production

Leading US fashion and textile organisations have backed recent comments by president Donald Trump in which he suggested that his stringent tariff policies were “not focused on driving sneaker and T-shirt production to the US”. A joint letter – signed by the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), Council of Fashion Designers of America...

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AAFA, FDRA and NRF welcome US-China tariff pause, call for long-term deal

US apparel and footwear trade associations have welcomed the US and China’s 90-day pause on heightened tariffs. Yet, while the temporary agreement has somewhat calmed the waters of the two regions’ trade war, organisations are still calling for a long-term deal that will mitigate rising costs and prices. This was reflected in a statement from...

BusinessPress Release

Apparel and footwear industry responds to U.S.-China de-escalation deal on tariffs

The American Apparel & Footwear Association responds to today's Joint Statement on U.S.-China Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva, proclaiming a 90-day pause with U.S. tariffs reduced to 30 percent and China tariffs reduced to 10 percent beginning May 14. “The 90-day pause is welcome and may temporarily help unstick the effective trade embargo...

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AAFA expresses concern over ‘on-again, off-again’ tariff policy

Steve Lamar, the president and chief executive officer of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), has expressed concern over what he called an “on-again, off-again tariff policy” that he says “is forcing companies to careen between chaos and costs”. While Lamar and the organisation welcomed the current 90-day pause on certain tariffs...

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Industry federations sound the alarm: “Tariffs will hurt, not help”

The U.S. government's decision to impose sweeping new tariffs on apparel and footwear imports has triggered a wave of alarm from industry associations, who argue forcefully that these measures will inflict significant economic damage far outweighing any potential benefits. The industry's opposition The American Apparel & Footwear Association...

FashionPress Release

ShinWon Joins AAFA: Strengthening Ethical Fashion and Global ESG Leadership

ShinWon Corporation (CEO: JJ Park), a leading global apparel manufacturer, has officially joined the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), becoming only the second Korean vendor to do so—a rare milestone that underscores South Korea’s influence in global fashion. This strategic move positions ShinWon to deepen partnerships with...

BusinessPress Release

AAFA reacts to U.S. Department of Labor’s action to cancel all ILAB contracts

The American Apparel & Footwear Association expressed alarm at actions taken by the U.S. Department of Labor to cancel all contracts for the Department’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). “Our members, and their 3.5 million American workers, rely heavily on ILAB’s work to promote a fair global playing field for American workers and...

BusinessPress Release

AAFA and FLA call for defense of the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs

In a joint letter to the newly confirmed United States Secretary of Labor, The Honorable Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) both offer congratulations and a firm call to fully preserve and promote the Department’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) and its...

PeoplePress Release

AAFA Announces 2025-2026 Board of Directors Leadership

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has announced its Board of Directors leadership for the 2025-2026 term, alongside the election and re-election of board members, at the 2025 AAFA Executive Summit. Halide Alagöz of Ralph Lauren Corporation has been confirmed as Chair, with Joe Preston of New Balance Athletics, Inc. serving as...