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Peter Dinh
Chief Financial Officer of American Giant
Meet The Changemaker
Peter Dinh is a business leader committed to strengthening American manufacturing and building a more sustainable apparel industry. As Chief Financial Officer of American Giant, he helps guide a company known for producing high-quality clothing in the United States while supporting domestic jobs, responsible sourcing, and long-lasting products. His work demonstrates how strong business leadership can help create a more resilient fashion industry.
Why Their Work Matters
Creating a more sustainable fashion industry requires more than innovative materials—it also depends on responsible business decisions. Through American Giant's commitment to domestic manufacturing, supply chain transparency, and durable products, Peter helps show that companies can balance financial success with social and environmental responsibility. His work highlights the important role business leaders play in driving meaningful change.
The Conversation
From the economics of American manufacturing to the future of responsible apparel production, Peter Dinh shares his perspective on building a business that values quality, transparency, and sustainability. In our conversation, we discuss the challenges facing today's fashion industry, the importance of resilient supply chains, and how thoughtful leadership can help shape a more sustainable future.
American Giant is known for manufacturing many of its products in the United States. How does domestic production influence sustainability, product quality, and transparency within your supply chain?
"Domestic production lets us shorten the distance between design, sourcing, manufacturing, and quality control, which reduces complexity and gives us much better visibility into how products are made.
Because our supply chain is close to home, we can work directly with factories, inspect quality more consistently, and make more informed decisions about labor standards, materials, and production practices. American Giant describes this as “keeping things close” so it can better control the supply chain."
In an industry often driven by fast fashion and rapid trends, how does American Giant approach creating clothing that is designed to last?
"We start with the premise that the most sustainable garment is often the one you do not have to replace quickly. That means focusing on durable fabrics, timeless silhouettes, reinforced construction, and products that can stay in a customer’s closet for years rather than chase short-lived trend cycles."
"Our goal is not to produce the cheapest garment possible; it is to produce the best long-term value."
Many consumers want to shop more sustainably but don't always know where to start. What factors should people look for when evaluating whether a clothing brand is truly responsible?
"Consumers should look beyond broad sustainability language and ask whether a brand is transparent about where its materials come from, where its products are made, who makes them, and how long the products are designed to last. Responsible brands should be able to explain their supply chain, labor standards, material choices, repair or warranty philosophy, and whether their business model depends on overproduction.
A credible “Made in USA” claim, for example, generally requires that all or virtually all of the product be made domestically, so specificity matters."
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the fashion industry today when it comes to balancing growth, affordability, and sustainability?
"The hardest challenge is that the industry has trained consumers to expect very low prices, very fast inventory turns, and constant newness, even though those expectations often conflict with responsible production. Sustainable and ethical manufacturing usually requires better materials, better labor practices, lower waste, and more disciplined production planning, all of which can cost more upfront.
The industry has to redefine value around cost per wear, durability, and trust, not just the lowest ticket price."
Looking ahead, what changes or innovations do you hope to see in the fashion industry over the next decade that could make it more sustainable and ethical?
"I hope to see more investment in regional manufacturing ecosystems, traceable materials, lower-impact dyeing and finishing, circular design, and technologies that give consumers real visibility into a product’s origin. I also think the industry needs better standards around durability and disclosure, so brands are rewarded for making products that last rather than simply marketing sustainability claims.
The biggest shift would be moving from volume-driven growth to quality-driven growth."
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