How fashion leaders are thinking about tariffs, textile sustainability

In a year when tariffs and consumer confidence are constantly fluctuating, the fashion industry is focused on staying prepared. Within the first quarter alone, the new U.S. presidential administration’s approach to trade policy has reversed course multiple times, and brands are thinking about how they can adapt to this uneven landscape.

These topics all emerged as key themes during the American Apparel and Footwear Association’s annual executive summit earlier this month. This year’s event was titled “Trust & Transformation” and featured discussions on preparing and dealing with change as the industry and outside forces — such as technology and the new administration — move even faster.

Tariff policy

Within the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second administration, various tariff threats have led fashion companies to reconsider their sourcing strategies. Conversations at the summit focused on how companies can engage with their suppliers and with the administration on how to handle the changes.

“Tariff policy these days seems like curve on top of curve,” said Stephen Lamar, president and CEO of AAFA. “[With] the concept of reciprocal tariffs, every single one of our sourcing partners and markets is facing some level of tariffs, some probably worse than others.”

Lamar encouraged attendees to harness the tariff conversation to make it about negotiating better outcomes focused on smart sourcing and responsible manufacturing.

Nasim Fussell, SVP of public relations firm Lot Sixteen, said it would be beneficial to discuss the tariffs’ impact on workers and the broader economy as well as to present data on alternatives that would still reach the administration’s goals.

“At the end of the day, he likes the tariffs,” said Fussell, referring to Trump. “Going in to say, ‘Tariffs are bad,’ at this point