YALA has worked closely with the same production team in China for over 18 years. Before becoming a co-owner, Tif traveled there five times with YALA to understand the entire production process, tour the facilities extensively and work beside our production partners to finalize new designs and refine popular styles.

During these visits, work transactions blossomed into friendships. Each time Tif returned, the welcomes became warmer and goodbyes more bittersweet as our hosts, partners, and garment makers went out of their way to share the beauty of their culture through food, tours, and traditions.

This long-standing relationship is why our definition of sustainability extends to the care of everyone involved in making our products. We can assure you that the people who make your YALA garments are paid fairly, treated well, and work in a safe and comfortable environment.⁠

Because of this, our workers stick around. Many of them have been with us for over ten years now, in an industry where it is more common for people to quickly shift from factory to factory in search of safer conditions or better pay.⁠

Our recent inspection by Oeko-Tex, a leading certifying organization in the textile industry, achieved top marks for safety and social responsibility due to our fair trade practices.

Unfortunately, a global pandemic has prevented travel to China and kept Tif and Rachel from carrying on the YALA tradition of frequent visits as Co-Owners. But when the opportunity resumes, the 'Welcome Back' will be that much sweeter.