Welcome to Off the Cuff, USFIA’s member newsletter that highlights innovation and creativity from USFIA members and Partners.
USFIA Annual Conference
On November 5th, USFIA hosted its Annual Conference at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Industry leaders, policy makers, and innovators came together for our largest event of the year. The day was packed with thought-provoking discussions on the topics shaping the future of fashion and trade- tariffs, compliance, sustainability, and AI.
Highlights from the Agenda:
Tariffs and Trade
The day started with an update from the industry experts. Julia K. Hughes, President, USFIA; David Spooner, USFIA Washington Counsel & Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP; John Pellegrini, USFIA Customs Consultant; Ed Fitzgerald, VP, GEODIS; and Maytee Pereira, Senior Managing Director, Customs and International Trade Co-Leader, PwC shared what’s ahead for brands and retailers navigating global trade.
PwC Holiday Outlook
Hunter Thomas, Director at PwC, provided an exclusive look at consumer trends for the 2025 holiday season.
Sourcing Outlook for 2026
Jon Devine, Senior Economist at Cotton Incorporated and Dr. Sheng Lu, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at University of Delaware explored sourcing strategies and market shifts.
Compliance and Traceability
Brian Carelli, VP Sustainability and Partnerships at INFOR discussed turning compliance challenges into competitive advantages.
Trade- Today and Tomorrow
Janet Labuda, Head of Customs Services at Maersk examined trade evolution and explored what trade will look like in our constantly changing environment.
Innovation and Circularity
Sarah Alibhoy, Sr. Manager of Strategy and Insights at NUULY (left) and Karla Magruder, Founder and President at Accelerating Circularity (right) inspired attendees with strategies for a more sustainable future.
Compliance Strategies
Leslie August, Chief Marketing Officer at KYG Trade; Mitch Standen, Global Head of Operations / Head of Americas at FibreTrace; and Mark Burstein, Senior Vice President of Inspectorio highlighted practical approaches to strengthen compliance frameworks while leveraging technology for traceability- critical for brands and retailers aiming to meet global standards and consumer expectations.
Made in the USA
Lloyd Parks, Chief Executive Officer of Dominisii made the case for manufacturing in America and what the government should do to support the fashion industry.
News from Across the Pond
Emma Ormond, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Corporate Affairs at Primark shared insights from across the pond.
AI in Fashion
FIT faculty, Brian Fallon Ph.D. (right) and Katelyn Praeger (left) showcased research and student survey results on AI as it shapes education and tomorrow’s industry.
The energy in the room was incredible as attendees connected, exchanged ideas, and left with actionable insights to navigate today’s ever-changing global landscape.
Want to see more photos? To view the Conference Photo Gallery, click here. Photo credits: Lorenzo Ciniglio Photography.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Platinum Sponsor: Infor Nexus
Lunch Sponsor: Maersk Customs Services
Silver Sponsor: Cotton Incorporated
Silver Sponsor: Inspectorio
Silver Sponsor: KYG Trade
Conference Supporter: Port of Long Beach
Conference Friend: The Northwest Seaport Alliance
In the News
Each month, we’re proud to see our association’s work and insights recognized across the industry—here’s a look at this month’s top media highlights.
USFIA was featured in a variety of publications - check out some of our press clips below:
USFIA’s Annual Conference:
- University of Delaware community reports new presentations, publications
- International Trade Today: USFIA Counsel: Decision on Nicaragua Tariffs Required by Dec. 10
USFIA’s Benchmarking Report:
- Retail Supply Chains Need AI More Than Ever, But It’s Not Meeting Expectations
- Can Ethical Supply Chains Survive the Tariff Storm?
- T.J. Maxx, Marshalls buck major customer problem
- Sheng Lu of University of Delaware: ‘Friendshoring’ Falls Short for Fashion Industry
USMCA:
AGOA:
Member News
Urban Outfitters Marks Its Annual Singles Day with 2025's Defining Moments and Artists
Urban Outfitters celebrated its sixth annual Singles Day Vinyl Series with an exciting lineup of 11 exclusive 7" vinyl singles. This year’s collection features top artists like Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd, Addison Rae, Tate McRae, ROSÉ, and more plus a spotlight release from the highly anticipated Wicked: For Good – The Soundtrack, ahead of its U.S. premiere on November 21.
"Singles Day is our snapshot of the music and culture that defined our community this year," said Marybeth Cahill, Chief Merchandising Officer at Urban Outfitters. "From viral cultural touchpoints like Wicked: For Good to tracks dominating TikTok trends, this curation celebrates the way Gen Z discovers, shares, and defines what's next."
Read the full article here.
KYG’s AI Assistant “Kay” Passed the October 2025 U.S. Customs Brokers License Exam
KYG Trade™ issued a press release celebrating that its AI assistant Kay scored 93% on the October 2025 U.S. Customs Brokers License Exam. USFIA members know the test is tough. For context, the average pass rate for recent exams was just 22.3%, and a leading general-purpose AI model scored only 60%.
Learn more about this breakthrough and what it means for the future of trade compliance below.
Read the full article here.
ITMF: Accelerating Africa’s Industrialization: a perspective on the continent’s emergence as an investment destination for textiles
Gherzi Textil Organisation, a global consulting firm specializing in strategy and investment for the textile and apparel industry, contributed this article to the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF).
Gherzi shares their analysis about the positive future for sourcing in Africa. Africa is a major investment destination for textiles and apparel, attracting $2 billion in projects over the past three years and aiming to build a $12 billion industry within a decade through initiatives like the Cotton Partnership. Despite challenges like AGOA’s expiration, Africa retains tariff advantages over Asia. As global sourcing strategies shift, Africa stands as the final frontier for textile growth, offering significant opportunities for investors, brands, and policymakers.
Read the full article here.
In Case You Missed It
Fashion Without Borders: Navigating Global Trade in a Shifting World
USFIA partnered with World Salon to host the first webinar in the Digital Fireside Series, Fashion Without Borders: Navigating Global Trade in a Shifting World.
The session explored how evolving trade agreements, shifting tariffs, and geopolitical dynamics have been reshaping sourcing, production, and retail strategies for global fashion brands. USFIA President Julie Hughes moderated the discussion and the insightful speakers were: Ana Hinojosa, Executive Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Oritain; Philip Sawyer, Co-owner of Philip Sawyer Designs and Professor at Rhode Island School of Design; and Mark Burstein, Senior Vice President at Inspectorio.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this insightful conversation!
Upcoming USFIA Events
January 13, 2026 - State of the Industry Virtual Town Hall. Sign up here.