How to Deal with Tariffs & Supply Chain Issues – Fashion & Apparel Brands

New tariffs are here and small business owners are feeling the squeeze. Should you raise prices or consider moving your production? How can small fashion brands protect margins and be ready for 2025?

This post will be updated regularly with the date noted, offering you expert advice, resources, and links pertaining to tariffs and supply chain issue in 2025 for apparel brands.

Update 3/13/25

Trade Policies and Tariffs Resources and Links:

Anna Livermore and the product development team from V. Mora shared these links with us. Thank you, Anna :).

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
Trade Shifts in Textiles and Apparel: This section provides detailed analyses of trade patterns and shifts in the textiles and apparel sectors.
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
Textiles & Apparel: This page offers updates on trade agreements, negotiations, and policies specifically related to textiles and apparel.
American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
Trade and Customs: AAFA provides resources and updates on trade policies, tariff impacts, and customs regulations affecting the apparel and footwear industries.
Sourcing Journal
Trade & Tariffs: Sourcing Journal offers in-depth articles and analyses on how trade policies and tariffs impact sourcing strategies in the fashion industry.
Business of Fashion (BoF)
Trade Policy Coverage: BoF provides articles and reports on global trade policies affecting the fashion industry.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Textiles Monitoring Body: This section monitors the implementation of agreements affecting trade in textiles and clothing.
Bloomberg
Markets: Bloomberg’s Markets section provides real-time updates and analyses on global trade policies and their economic impacts.
Deloitte Trade Advisory
Global Trade Advisory Services: Deloitte provides insights and services related to global trade compliance and strategy.

Get the replay of the Panel Discussion + Q&A

Tariffs & Supply Chain Issues for Fashion Brands

*link coming soon

What You’ll Learn:
This expert-led panel gives actionable advice on navigating supply chain challenges for small US-based apparel brands. No fluff—just an honest discussion about how to protect your margins and keep your business moving forward. We’re in this together.👗🧵

Who This Is For:
Independent fashion and accessories brands and entrepreneurs navigating 2025 changes.

Meet the Panelists:

Jane Hamill – founder of Fashion Brain Academy, former designer and retailer, hosting this group of experts to help you protect your profit margins & deal with the changes.
Rebecca Melsky – co-founder of Princess Awesome, Mom, advocate, former teacher, smart AF and funny AF too.
Eva St. Clair – co-founder & designer of Princess Awesome, the creative force behind the brand’s whimsical stereotype-busting clothing, Mom or four, she makes art, and is a kind and generous soul with magnetic creative energy.
Ernie Tedeschi – Director of Economics at the Budget Lab at Yale, former Chief Economist at the White House Council CEA, Dad of four and available for this discussion because luckily CNN won’t be interviewing him at the exact time of this panel ;).
Anna Livermore – product development & optimizing supply chain is her focus, founder of V. Mora, Mom of 2 kids under 3, calmest person I ever met which explains why she can work in apparel manufacturing
Liz Long – manufacturing expert and all-around helpful human who wants you to succeed, co-founder of Nearshored.ai.
Boaz David – product development consultant, designer, founder of humanb.com, and legit “factory whisperer” for fashion brands, not kidding – he’s a pro at getting the best work from a manufacturing partner

Here’s the email Jane received from a fashion designer that prompted the panel discussion:

Hi Jane,

I’m sure you are on this question already, but some of us are stunned at the hike in prices. (Of course I sort of knew it was coming, but now it’s real!)

Option A – Raise my prices

Option B – Try to find a different country of origin

Surely I’m not the only one! If you have a conversation about this in the community about to happen, I would love to hop on!

Thanks!

Laura

Got Questions?
Email Jane & the Fashion Brain team at brain@fashionbrainacademy.com.