INDUSTRY ISSUES
The Desktop Revolution: How xTool is Democratizing Industrial-Grade Apparel Printing
| May 1, 2026
In the traditional apparel manufacturing landscape, the bridge between a creative concept and a finished garment has long been guarded by high entry barriers, complex industrial workflows, and prohibitive costs. However, a seismic shift is occurring. xTool, which has rapidly ascended to become the world’s second-largest DTF (Direct-to-Film) brand by GMV, is dismantling these barriers.
Vans Announces $ 1 Million Donation, The Biggest in its History
On Sept. 11, Vans announced that it was donating $1 million to Imagination.org, a Los Angeles–headquartered nonprofit that produces programs to foster the creativity of youth.
Domestic Production Is Central to the TateJones Mission
In September 2018, high school friends Shawn Harrison and Stacey Horton launched TateJones, a female-founded, Los Angeles–based luxury-basics brand made in the City of the Angels.
Ring of Fire To Release First Sustainable Denim Line
With a name inspired by the 1963 Johnny Cash hit of the same title, Ring of Fire clothing has been selling graphic T-shirts and denim to better department stores for 12 years.
Helfenbein Steps Down from AAFA
After 14 years of engagement with the American Apparel & Footwear Association, 10 as a member and four leading the organization, Rick Helfenbein announced that he will step down as the group’s president and chief executive officer. The Washington D.C.–based trade association represents more than 1,000 brands.
Garment Restitution Fund for Workers Receives $16.3 Million
Some Los Angeles–area garment workers will finally be able to cash checks long denied to them.
Surf Industry and Other Fashion Groups Ride Wave Against Plastics Pollution
Last week, 32 fashion companies joined a G7 Fashion Pact that calls for phasing out single-use plastics by 2030. The companies that signed the pact also vowed to achieve zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050 and restore biodiversity by helping to rejuvenate ecosystems.
John Eshaya Unveils New John Eshaya Brand of Women’s Sportswear
John Eshaya has helped define the style for high-end T-shirts and sweatshirts in Los Angeles since the late 1980s, but the women who bought tees from his JET John Eshaya brand started asking for new styles of clothing in the past decade and his label changed.
Vuori Gets Big Investment from Norwest Venture Partners
Encinitas, Calif.–headquartered athleticwear brand Vuori recently announced a $45-million investment from Norwest Venture Partners, said Joe Kudla, Vuori’s founder and chief executive officer.
Authentic Brands Group Gets a $875 Million Investment
The Authentic Brands Group acquired the Costa Mesa, Calif., Volcom label and media property Sports Illustrated respectively in April and May of this year.
Gap Announces Renewable-Energy Partnership With New Sustainability Goals
In an effort to increase its commitment to adopting more-sustainable operating strategies, Gap Inc. announced that it has partnered with Enel Green Power North America, a segment of the Rome-based renewable-energy firm Enel Green Power.
Steve Madden Acquires BB Dakota
After a 14-year run as an independent young-contemporary label, BB Dakota, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., announced Aug. 13 that it was acquired by the footwear-and-accessories company Steve Madden.
Surf Chiefs Challenged to be More Eco-Conscious at Waterman’s
Supporting environmentalism is the main goal of Waterman’s, which is the annual fund-raiser produced by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association.
Mongolia Third Neighbor Trade Act Could Diversify Cashmere Sourcing for U.S.
Following the Trump administration’s declaration of raising tariffs by 10 percent on $300 billion of Chinese goods come Sept. 1—not including the $250 billion subjected to the existing 25 percent tariff—exports from China to the United States rose according to the General Administration of Customs earlier this week.
Top Denim Messages from CR20 Collections With an Eye Toward CR21
Cruise collections offer plenty of denim ideas, from updates on silhouettes to subtle details and evolved washes.
After Blazing His Own Path With Big Tech Clients, Matthew Moses Launches Mansfield Outpost
A big part of the clothing business is making apparel for different professions, such as scrubs for doctors, suits for lawyers and coveralls for mechanics. Matthew Moses has built a business out of making sportswear for different employee groups who work for technology giants such as Google.
