American Apparel’s website relaunched in August 2017 under its new owner, Gildan Activewear. For a brand once known for making its clothing in Los Angeles, the big change was that most products were no longer made in the USA.
What Gildan bought
Gildan acquired the American Apparel name at a bankruptcy auction. The Cut reported that it bought the brand but not the company’s operations. The new site described the clothing as “Globally sourced, ethically made, sweatshop free.”
A small USA-made line
The relaunch included a “Made in USA” capsule collection of eight styles produced domestically. Those items cost more than matching imported versions. A USA-made hoodie was $48, while the same hoodie made abroad was $38.
Most of the rest of the line comes from factories in Honduras. A “Sweatshop Free Stories” section on the site featured those factories.
For buyers who shop by origin, that means checking the label on each item. A familiar brand name with USA roots does not tell you where a given piece was made.
FAQ
Who owns American Apparel now?
Gildan Activewear, which bought the brand name at a bankruptcy auction.
Is anything still made in the USA?
Yes. At relaunch, an eight-style “Made in USA” capsule was produced domestically.
Where is the rest made?
Mostly in Honduras, according to the brand’s site as reported by The Cut.
Source & credit
Source: The Cut: “On the New American Apparel Site, Not Everything Is Made in the USA”, by Sarah Spellings, Aug. 10, 2017.