American Vintage

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

According to the information provided, 81.9% of American Vintage’s clothing is produced in the European Mediterranean region. 

• France (South of France, near the company headquarters)
• Portugal
• Italy
• Spain
• Turkey
• USA (for Supima® cotton: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas)
• China (for some materials such as silk and other fibres)

Other countries could be involved, but are not explicitly mentioned.

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES

American Vintage produces 81.9% of its clothing in the European Mediterranean region, including France, Portugal, Italy, Spain and Turkey. Other production countries are China and the USA. 

European countries have high quality standards and strict labour laws, which allows for better control over social and environmental conditions. 

China poses challenges in terms of a lack of transparency in the supply chain and increased environmental impact due to long transport routes and potentially less stringent environmental regulations.

Supima® cotton comes from the USA (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and is recognised for its quality and traceability. As further processing takes place in Europe, the long transport route leads to an increased ecological footprint. There is no information on working conditions or supplier visits at this stage of the supply chain.

American Vintage does not have its own production plant, but works with external suppliers. According to the company, audits are carried out to check the supply chain. 

In 2023, the company was audited by ECOCERT GREENLIFE and received the following certifications:

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) – Strict ecological & social standards for organic fibres
• OCS (Organic Content Standard) – Traceability of organic fibres
• RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) – Animal welfare standards for wool production

The brand had set itself the goal of developing products in accordance with these standards from 2024. It is currently not possible to verify whether this goal has already been achieved, or whether suppliers are regularly visited or specific measures implemented to ensure fairer wages.

American Vintage emphasises in its brand communication that it is an open-minded, diverse brand and that it is committed to a more inclusive fashion landscape.

Diversity is promoted within the company itself and they offer the opportunity to adapt workplaces for people with disabilities (e.g. flexible working hours, accessible environment). 

MATERIALS

• Cotton 
• Organic cotton
• Recycled cotton
• Supima® cotton
• Linen
• Silk
• Merino wool
• Cashmere
• Alpaca wool
• Mohair
• Cupro
• Viscose
• Lyocell (Tencel®)
• Polyester
• Polyamide
• Acrylic
• Spandex
• Lambskin
• Cowhide

Natural fibres such as cotton, linen, wool and silk are biodegradable. American Vintage uses GOTS-certified organic cotton and RWS-certified wool, which ensures higher environmental and social standards. Read more about the benefits of organic cotton here.
Synthetic fibres such as polyester, polyamide and acrylic are hard-wearing and easy to care for, but they are based on petroleum and release microplastics when washed. Learn more about polyester clothing and the invisible environmental impact of the fashion industry here.

PACKAGING

American Vintage does not provide any specific information on the packaging materials used in e‑commerce deliveries or within the supply chain. 

WATER CONSUMPTION & CHEMICALS

American Vintage provides little specific information on measures in the areas of water consumption, chemical management or microplastic release. The brand does not mention any direct measures to reduce water consumption or wastewater treatment in production. 

The GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification indicates that certain organic cotton products are subject to stricter environmental requirements, including the use of less harmful chemicals.

There is no mention of water-saving or low-pollutant dyeing processes in denim production. American Vintage uses mineral dyeing, which indicates that alternative dyeing techniques are being trialled in some collections. However, details on the water or chemical consumption of this method are missing. Whether more environmentally friendly printing processes or bleaching methods are used is not disclosed.

The brand uses synthetic fibres such as polyester, polyamide and acrylic, but does not mention any strategies for reducing microplastic emissions during washing or production.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

American Vintage uses both mono-materials and material blends. Some products are made from 100% cotton, linen or wool, which improves recyclability. However, the brand also uses material blends, including combinations of natural and synthetic fibres. Such blends make recycling and the circular economy more difficult, as synthetic and natural fibres are difficult to separate.

American Vintage cooperates with Tilli, an external craft service provider that carries out alterations and repairs on American Vintage garments.

The collaboration with Tilli promotes repairs & alterations and extends the life of the garments.

The brand utilises dormant fabric stocks for individual projects, such as caps made from surplus materials or workshops with ​‘About a Worker’. However, upcycling can often make subsequent recycling more difficult, as many products are made from mixed fabrics.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

American Vintage works together with the repair service Tilli. Customers can have alterations and repairs made to their pieces. The cooperation indicates that American Vintage does not operate its own in-house repair workshop.

A separate take-back service for used clothing is not documented. There is also no mention of a rental or resale model. However, the brand communicates the promotion of longevity and encourages the care and reuse of clothing through the inclusion of care instructions and repair tips.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Portugal
• France
• Italy
• Turkey
• USA 
• Asia
• American Vintage is based in Signes, near Marseille, France.

The brand appears to have a complex supply chain, as individual materials are sourced in other regions than where they are processed. 

TRANSPORT 

• The brand sources materials from different regions of the world, which indicates long transport routes within the supply chain – for example between cultivation and production sites. American Vintage does not provide any specific information on means of transport or the reduction of emissions along the supply chain.
• The brand does not provide any detailed information on shipping methods in online retail. It remains unclear whether more climate-friendly shipping options are offered or whether CO₂ emissions are offset.

• Merino wool
• Mohair
• Cashmere
• Alpaca
• Lambskin
• Cowhide

For both leather and the types of wool used, the brand does not provide any information on countries of origin or the type of animal husbandry. 

However, at the end of 2023, American Vintage received certification in accordance with the RWS (Responsible Wool Standard), which ensures mulesing-free animal husbandry and better grazing practices. No other certificates in the area of animal welfare are currently documented. 

The brand has not published a publicly accessible code of conduct.

PRODUCT DESIGN

American Vintage offers clothing for men, women and children. The focus is on timeless basics and casual everyday pieces such as T‑shirts, knitwear, trousers, dresses, jackets and coats.

The collections are designed for a casual, unisex-inspired style and focus on comfortable cuts and versatile materials. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

American Vintage brings out several seasonal collections per year. The brand regularly launches new designs with the latest colours, prints and cuts. 

The brand takes part in regular discount campaigns and seasonal sales, both online and in their bricks-and-mortar stores.

TRANSPARENCY OF THE PRODUCTS

On the product pages, American Vintage provides information on the material composition, care instructions and the country of manufacture. Information on fit, such as a size chart, is also provided. 

However, traceability remains limited: only the country where the garment was made up is listed. Information on further production stages such as the origin of the material, the finishing or the dyeing process is not visible, meaning that there is no complete transparency along the supply chain.

TRANSPARENCY OF THE PROCESS

American Vintage only provides limited insight into its own production processes and cooperation with suppliers. Although general information on the geographical distribution of production is provided – for example, that around 81.9% of clothing is manufactured in the Mediterranean region – there is no specific information on individual suppliers, their working conditions or possible audit results. 

Individual product pages sometimes contain information on the country of manufacture, but traceability at this level remains limited and does not provide a complete insight into the entire supply chain.

To mark its 20^th anniversary, American Vintage 2025 is giving an insight into its production facilities in Portugal, Bulgaria, Tunisia and Morocco. The brand shows key production steps – from knitting and sewing to modern washing processes – and introduces many of the people involved by name. The communication emphasises long-standing partnerships and personal relationships. Although there is no precise information on working conditions or certifications, the brand shows a certain degree of transparency by disclosing locations, materials and manufacturing processes.

A comprehensive sustainability or impact report that is regularly published and presents social and environmental developments in a transparent manner cannot currently be found. The published information can mainly be found on general brand pages.