At Gaia, we’ve always embraced the challenge of sourcing globally. Over half of our designers are based in Europe, and bringing their work to you has always come with added costs—import fees, shipping, and taxes. That’s just part of doing business internationally. But these fees usually break down to pennies per piece once everything’s in place.
Sure, buying something directly from a designer overseas might seem like a better deal on the surface. But when you factor in travel costs, lodging, or the added shipping and import fees that come with e-commerce, the savings tend to disappear pretty quickly.
“We buy collections months in advance—but now, many prices are hanging in the balance.”
The Changing Landscape
That said, things are shifting. The U.S. has recently proposed a sweeping set of new tariffs—most notably a 145% tariff on goods from China and Hong Kong, along with the end of the duty-free exemption for shipments under $800. While most of our garments aren’t made in China, many of our designers source raw materials—like silk or specialty trims—from there. So even if the final garment is sewn in Europe, those upstream costs are rising.
Industry analysts are already projecting that apparel prices could go up by as much as 12.5%, with footwear expected to climb by 18.1%. That’s no small change.
For small boutiques like ours, the timing of all this is especially tricky. We buy collections months—sometimes even a year—in advance. Some prices are already set in stone, but many aren’t, and we’re now facing a lot of unknowns. We’ve even heard of a few beloved designers who are choosing to close their doors early, worried about how these changes will impact their ability to stay afloat. That’s heartbreaking. It puts a real strain on the diversity and creativity that makes independent fashion so special.
“Fast fashion may be cheaper, but it comes at the cost of quality, ethics, and sustainability.”
A Different Path
And while all of this is happening, fast fashion continues to flood the market with cheap, short-lived products. We get the appeal—it’s inexpensive and always changing. But these pieces often fall apart quickly and contribute to environmental waste. At Gaia, we’ve always taken a different path. We focus on collections that are made thoughtfully, using sustainable practices and fair labor. Our pieces are designed to last—not just in construction, but in style too.
We also work with American designers who hold those same values. But even they aren’t insulated from these changes. Many source their fabrics and trims from abroad, so they’re seeing higher costs too. It’s a ripple effect that touches just about everything—from garments to jewelry, shoes to handbags.
Sourcing with Heart
That’s part of what makes our collections so unique—we search the globe for items that feel one-of-a-kind, that surprise you, and that hold meaning. But yes, many of those special pieces come from overseas. Even our American lines are tied to global supply chains, so these tariffs will affect them too.
We want to be honest with you: we’re doing everything we can to work with our designers and reps to keep prices as fair as possible. We’re not throwing in the towel. But we’re in a bit of a holding pattern right now, like much of the industry. These new tariffs haven’t all gone into effect yet, and we’re waiting to see what the final outcome will be.
“We’re not throwing in the towel—we’re adapting, negotiating, and staying true to our values.”
What This Means for You
We know the uncertainty isn’t easy—for you or for us. But we’re committed to staying transparent and doing right by our designers, our customers, and our values.
Small businesses like ours will likely feel the weight of these changes first. We’re nimble, but we don’t have the deep pockets or high-volume sales that let us absorb these added costs easily. That’s why we hope you’ll continue to choose thoughtfully made fashion that supports people, not just profits.
Looking Ahead
The fashion industry is in flux, but we’re still here, still searching, still believing in the magic of beautiful design with purpose. We’ll keep you updated as things unfold—and in the meantime, thank you for standing with us.