Labour Lens

Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.

Based on what Palm Angels publishes, with few independent checks. Researched with AI assistance against published rules. Last researched 2 November 2026 · 5 sources · How we check

Milan-founded luxury streetwear label.

Palm Angels publishes no supplier list or independent audits, which Italian fashion needs before we presume a living wage, because Milan prosecutors have found luxury brands' subcontractors exploiting migrant workers.

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These are the closest to Good among luxury and designer brands selling new goods. None has reached Good yet, and when one does it will show here. Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.

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Why it's graded Lacks transparency

Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements, with 2 red flags.Open why it has this gradeClose why it has this grade
  • 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.

How grades are decided


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 and leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton

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

Italy, China, Bangladesh and 6 more countries.Open where it's madeClose where it's made

From product labels; Palm Angels doesn't say where its products are made. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.

Where it's made, and conditions there
CountryWorker rightsLegal minimum wageForced labour risk
ItalyStrong protectionsClose to a living wageLow
ChinaUsual for the industryNo guarantee of rightsBelow a living wageModerate
BangladeshUsual for the industryNo guarantee of rightsFar below a living wageModerate
VietnamUsual for the industrySystematic violationsWell below a living wageModerate
IndiaUsual for the industryNo guarantee of rightsWell below a living wageHigh
CambodiaUsual for the industryNo guarantee of rightsFar below a living wageModerate
TürkiyeUsual for the industryNo guarantee of rightsBelow a living wageVery high
IndonesiaUsual for the industryNo guarantee of rightsWell below a living wageModerate
PakistanUsual for the industryNo guarantee of rightsFar below a living wageHigh

Evidence

3 things we found.Open the evidenceClose the evidence

What we found

  • Being made in Italy doesn't count towards a living wage or audit here: Italian fashion and leather goods, where Milan prosecutors have found luxury brands' subcontractors exploiting migrant workers. It would need to publish its suppliers or have them independently audited.
  • 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.
  • Uses leather 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 Palm Angels publishes no supplier list, modern slavery statement, audit results or living wage commitment, and no production shares; product listings show its hoodies labelled Made in Italy. Bluestar Alliance bought it from New Guards Group in 2025, so earlier group disclosures no longer apply; its Play line is run with Italian operating partner Sportlux. Clothing is mainly cotton, with leather in some shoes and accessories. It is not rated in the Ethical Fashion Report.

Sources and actions

5 sources, company details, and how to send evidence or a right of reply.Open the sources and company detailsClose the sources and company details

Sources 5

Show all 5 sources
  1. Palm Angels - Good On You · search the archive · Rated very poor on labour for lack of disclosure; uses leather and wool
  2. Bluestar Alliance Acquires Palm Angels (The Impression) · search the archive · Bluestar bought Palm Angels from New Guards Group (Farfetch) in February 2025
  3. Palm Angels Sunset Hoodie (Feature) · search the archive · Hoodie labelled Made in Italy, 100% cotton
  4. Palm Angels hoodie (Farfetch) · search the archive · Hoodie labelled Made in Italy
  5. Palm Angels setzt auf Play, Damenmode und neue Märkte (FashionUnited, 2026) · search the archive · Owned by Bluestar Alliance; Play line run with Italian operating partner Sportlux (Oct 2026)

Company details

Headquarters
Italy
Last researched
2 November 2026
Cite this page
Labour Lens, "Is Palm Angels ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/palm-angels, 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 Palm Angels.

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