
INDUSTRY ISSUES
THREADS for Meaningful Change in 2023 and Beyond
By Chelsea Murtha, AAFA Director of Sustainability | February 2, 2023
2022 saw an unprecedented level of policymaking that affected, and often targeted, the apparel and footwear industry. 2023 is shaping up to be an even busier year.

IDEO Selects Detria Williamson as Chief Marketing Officer
IDEO has selected Detria Williamson, who joined the leadership team in spring 2021, as its chief marketing officer.

Fashion-Forward Golf Apparel Continues to Become the Standard
Within the past year, the sport of golf has seen an extraordinarily high increase in players hitting the links to enjoy the activity as a fun outdoor hobby. Brands are updating traditional golf apparel to feature fashionable and playful takes on classic styles, while maintaining the comfort and function players expect.

Canopy Adds 29 Brands to Its Pack4Good Initiative to Save Forests
With 29 new brands joining Pack4Good, the goal of saving the world’s ancient and endangered forests took another step in the right direction. Pack4Good, an initiative by the environmental nonprofit organization Canopy, is focused on eliminating controversial forest fibers from packaging such as take-out containers, shoeboxes and various other paper goods.

Cycora by Ambercycle Hopes to End Waste Through Textile Recycling
The Los Angeles-based brand Ambercycle is giving customers a new look into the lifecycle of their clothing.

Artistic Milliners and Retraced Partner to Ensure Traceability for Milliner Cotton
Denim and garment manufacturer Artistic Milliners and blockchain-based supply-chain management-solutions provider Retraced have announced a partnership that will afford greater cotton traceability.

FABSCRAP Partners With URBN and Nordstrom, Eyes West Coast Expansion
Promoting its mission to combat fabric waste, the textile recycling and reuse nonprofit FABSCRAP announced that it has secured partnerships with Philadelphia’s URBN and Seattle-headquartered Nordstrom, which includes major investments by the retailers.

NYDJ Debuts Shaping and Lifting Technology With ThighShaper Jean
NYDJ has released its new ThighShaper technology to great response. A high-stretch compression panel helps slim and shape women’s thighs, running along the seam of the jean to compress evenly.

Paul Van Doren, 90, Vans Founder
Paul Van Doren, co-founder of Vans, one of the world’s most recognized California and skate-lifestyle brands, passed away on May 6 at home, surrounded by family.

O’Neill and Hyosung Take Eco-Friendly Approach with Blue Sustainable Collection
With an eco-conscious approach, O’Neill has created the Blue sustainable collection, a women’s swimwear line with Hyosung’s Mipan regen nylon.

Nikki Reed Designs New Collection for Eco-Luxury Sneaker Brand Loci
Nikki Reed recently partnered with eco-luxury sneaker brand Loci to create a capsule of classic styles using recycled ocean plastics.

Trina Turk Docks Its Swim Line at Lunada Bay
As the swim season draws near, Trina Turk looks forward to new beginnings this summer while consumers seek the brand’s stylish options to enjoy sunny days.

Asesina Designs Looks to Lift Fashions for Woman Athletes
In the past few years, more media attention has been paid to women’s sports and leading female athletes such as Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe and Naomi Osaka, who have become mainstream celebrities. Osaka has inked deals to represent leading fashion and beauty brands. Williams and Rapinoe have developed their own fashion lines.

Lezat Enjoys Giving Back Through Ethical, Eco Production
Starting an apparel career as a factory owner can prove demanding for even the most-driven person, but Jaleh Factor wanted to do more. In 2020, after six years making private-label apparel for customers in the activewear, swimwear, knits and wovens categories, Factor decided to shift her business, Sewby, last year to create masks when the need for personal protective equipment soared with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Timberland Aims to Build Footwear’s First Regenerative Rubber Supply System
Timberland is aiming to build the world’s first regenerative rubber supply system for footwear by 2023.

Saitex’s Sustainable Plant Aims to Help Bring Back U.S. Manufacturing
The Vietnam-headquartered company Saitex recently opened a denim facility in Vernon, Calif., just south of downtown Los Angeles. Saitex USA, a 52,000-square-foot denim plant, will serve as a factory of the future, said Sanjeev Bahl, the company’s chief executive officer and founder.