Marc Jacobs
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 7 sources
New York designer label known for its Tote Bag.
There's no proof Marc Jacobs pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
Better-graded bags and accessories
Graded higher than Marc Jacobs, selling the same kinds of things. Second-hand first.
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Marc Jacobs? Send a right of reply.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a hidden, unaudited supply chain in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton, leather and cashmere) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton and leather
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Product labels show Vietnam. Press and retailer reports name China. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| TürkiyeUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Doesn't show where its cotton comes from. Cotton is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang and Turkmenistan, and child labour in several growing regions, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
- Doesn't show where its leather comes from. Leather is linked to hazardous tannery work and forced labour on some cattle ranches, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
- Uses cashmere in only a few products and doesn't show where it comes from. That doesn't count against it for Good, but the "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes Marc Jacobs publishes no supplier list or production countries; retail labels show handbags made in Vietnam, and a 2018 workers' strike tied the brand to a Chinese handbag factory. Under LVMH it followed the group supplier code and Fair Wage Principles; new co-owner G-III's vendor code asks suppliers to move progressively towards wages that meet basic needs. There is no independent proof of living wages and no audit results are published. LVMH's leather and cotton tracing figures no longer apply after the 2026 sale. No shares by country are known; Vietnam comes from a retail label and China from a factory report.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion Transparency Index (Fashion Revolution) | Listed | Scored 71 out of 250 (28%) in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index, near the 26% average; LVMH brands other than Fendi scored 29% or lower. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | BHRRC's company page lists FTI scores from 2019 to 2023 but no allegations, lawsuits or response requests. View |
Unconfirmed reports
Credible reports that haven't been confirmed by a regulator, completed investigation or the company. They're shown for your information and don't affect the grade.
- In 2018 up to 100 workers struck at Panyu Shimen Handbag in Guangdong, China, a reported supplier to Marc Jacobs, alleging underpayment, withheld back pay and denied pensions and sick pay (The Fashion Law, 2018). Source
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Marc Jacobs (LVMH) - Business & Human Rights Resource Centre · search the archive · FTI 2023 score 71/250 (28%); no allegations or lawsuits listed
- Marc Jacobs - Good On You · search the archive · Uses leather, wool and some cashmere; claims wage improvement programme with no living wage evidence
- WHP Global & G-III complete acquisition of Marc Jacobs · search the archive · Sale closed 1 September 2026: 50/50 WHP Global and G-III joint venture owns the brand; G-III runs the operating business
- G-III Apparel Group - Vendor Code of Conduct · search the archive · Legal minimum wage required; suppliers must progressively reach pay that meets basic needs; unannounced audits allowed
- Marc Jacobs, Coach and Michael Kors tied to Chinese labor strike (The Fashion Law, 2018) · search the archive · 2018 strike at Panyu Shimen Handbag, Guangdong, over pay and benefits; Marc Jacobs named as a client
- Marc Jacobs crinkled leather The Tote (Bag Borrow or Steal) · search the archive · Leather Tote Bag made in Vietnam
- Marc Jacobs tote bags (Revolve) · search the archive · Tote bags in cotton canvas or denim with leather trims, or all leather (major leather and cotton)
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Marc Jacobs ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/marc-jacobs, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Marc Jacobs.