Why we're made in the USA (honestly)

"Made in the USA" is one of the most abused phrases in fashion, so we want to be precise instead of flattering. The umbrella line we use everywhere — Designed and assembled in the USA — is true for the brand as a whole. But the honest, per-product story has more texture than a single slogan, and you deserve the texture.

What "Made in USA" legally means

This isn't a vibe; it's a rule. The Federal Trade Commission says an unqualified "Made in USA" claim means all or virtually all of a product is made here — final assembly in the US, all significant processing here, and virtually all components sourced domestically. Get it wrong and the penalties are real. So when a brand slaps "Made in USA" on something stitched together from imported parts, that's not patriotism — it's a violation.

We'd rather under-claim and be right than over-claim and get caught. That's the whole policy.

What's actually made where

Our Lace straps meet that strict standard for an unqualified "Made in USA" claim: the components and the assembly happen here. Our Gold Chain, Pearl, and Daisy Chain straps are labeled "Assembled in USA" — they're put together in our workspace from a mix of US and imported components, and we won't pretend the chain or the pearls were milled domestically when they weren't.

The base bra is the part where we're most exposed, so we'll say it plainly: the base bra is imported. Molded-cup bra manufacturing at the quality and price we wanted simply isn't something we can do domestically yet. Calling it American-made would be a lie, so we don't.

How to read a Bijou label

Every product page carries its specific origin claim right next to the fiber content and care instructions — never a vague banner. Here's the cheat sheet:

• Lace straps → Made in USA.
• Gold Chain, Pearl, Daisy Chain straps → Assembled in USA (US and imported materials).
• The base bra → Imported.
• The brand, overall → Designed and assembled in the USA.

If a claim ever looks bigger on a banner than it does on the product page, trust the product page — and tell us, because that's a bug.

Why split hairs like this?

Because "kind of made here" claims erode trust the moment a customer reads a label that says otherwise. We'd rather you trust the small, true claim than catch us inflating a big, fuzzy one. Honesty is cheaper than a recall, and a lot cheaper than losing you.

As more of the supply chain becomes something we can responsibly bring home, we'll move pieces from "Assembled" toward "Made" — and we'll tell you when it happens, not before. That's a promise we can actually keep.

Want to watch that story unfold (and get first dibs on new drops)? Join the waitlist — or read more about how the whole system works.