FashionFeatured

Bearbottom Clothing CEO Robert Felder: Bringing Ethical Manufacturing to Menswear

The inception of Bearbottom Clothing can be traced back to a transformative high school trip to Bangladesh in 2012, which inspired Felder to create a clothing brand that is not only socially conscious but also actively contributes to global communities.

Published: Oct 2, 2023 2:33 PM

By Jeanel Alvarado

FashionFeatured

Add RETAILBOSS as Preferred Source

FashionFeatured

Bearbottom Clothing CEO Robert Felder: Bringing Ethical Manufacturing to Menswear

The inception of Bearbottom Clothing can be traced back to a transformative high school trip to Bangladesh in 2012, which inspired Felder to create a clothing brand that is not only socially conscious but also actively contributes to global communities.

Today, we are honored to present an exclusive interview with Felder, where he recounts his journey from a high school student’s eye-opening visit to Bangladesh to the establishment of Bearbottom in 2014.

He also shares how he leverages his brand to generate quality employment opportunities and provide essential items like clothing to those in need.

This is a rare chance to gain a deeper understanding of a visionary leader who is reshaping the fashion industry through ethical business practices and a steadfast commitment to social responsibility. So, come along as we explore the inspiring narrative of Robert Felder and the extraordinary influence of Bearbottom Clothing. 1.

Robert, can you share with us the inspiration behind founding Bearbottom Clothing in 2012? Bearbottom Founder and CEO, Robert Felder The first time I went to Bangladesh in high school, I saw the need for quality jobs and basic necessities like clothing…

Members-only article

Unlock the rest of this story

Join free to keep reading RetailBoss fashion coverage, industry analysis, and market intelligence.

Company

Account name Used publicly if you comment. We encourage your real first name.

Password

Send me RetailBoss newsletter emails through Substack. I can unsubscribe anytime. Confirm that I want to create a free RetailBoss account.

Free access. No credit card required. Your account is created after you verify your email.

RetailBoss is an independent global news publication and business insights platform built for executives, founders, operators, analysts, marketers, investors, and brand leaders. Our reporting covers the retail shifts across luxury, fashion, beauty, technology and marketing strategy.

Since: 2011
Audience: 50 Million+
Coverage: Global Markets

Our editorial stance

We prioritize news value, evidence, attribution, and practical relevance to retail decision-makers. Sponsored work is identified, and editorial coverage is kept distinct from commercial partnerships.

More from Fashion

Kirsten Green, appointed to Gap Inc.’s board in September 2026. Image: Gap Inc.

Gap Adds Forerunner Founder Kirsten Green to Its Board

Gap Inc. has appointed Forerunner founder Kirsten Green to its board, effective immediately, adding consumer-investment experience as the apparel group expands into beauty and accessories.

FashionLeadership

Ifrah Nadeem2 hours ago

Agua by Agua Bendita Brings Colombian Designs to Madrid With Florecer SS27

Agua by Agua Bendita presented Florecer, its Spring/Summer 2027 collection, at Madrid’s Palacio de Cibeles on September 15, bringing more than 40 looks shaped by Colombian craftsmanship to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid. The presentation paired the label’s floral vocabulary with a runway dressed in 13,575 stems supplied by Flowers of Colombia, according to the brand.

FashionNews

Jeanel Alvarado2 hours ago

WSG Brands Acquires Nasty Gal With Wholesale and Licensing Expansion Planned

WSG Brands has acquired Nasty Gal and plans to expand the womenswear label through wholesale, international distribution and licensing alongside its direct-to-consumer business.

BusinessFashion

Jeanel Alvarado2 hours ago

Models wearing the Eckhaus Latta x J.Crew collection.

J.Crew Expands Eckhaus Latta Collaboration From One Sweater to a Full Collection

The collaboration, highlighted by CEO Julia Collier, emphasizes the importance of partnerships in brand growth.

FashionNews

Ifrah Nadeem12 hours ago

View all Fashion

Recommended Articles

Ralph Lauren Expands Cotton Sourcing and Recycling as It Reports 42% Emissions Reduction

Ralph Lauren says its absolute emissions are 42% below its fiscal 2020 baseline, as the luxury group expands regenerative-cotton sourcing and textile recycling under its Timeless by Design 2030 strategy.

FashionNews

Jeanel Alvarado1 day ago

Athleta campaign athlete seated on a motorcycle in a mountain landscape.

Athleta Signs Multiyear Valkyries Deal With Team-Store Merchandise Planned for 2027

Athleta has signed a multiyear agreement to become the Golden State Valkyries’ official off-court apparel partner, combining arena marketing with a future team-store merchandise channel.

BusinessFashion

Jeanel Alvarado1 day ago

Rosalía wearing Desigual’s newspaper-print midi dress in Mexico City

Rosalía Puts Desigual’s Newspaper-Print Capsule in the Spotlight in Mexico City

Rosalía’s appearance in a Desigual newspaper-print dress in Mexico City gave the brand a celebrity styling moment tied to a wider capsule collection. The sleeveless midi uses newspaper-style graphics that Desigual says reference its own history, extending a familiar print into a branded design story.

FashionNews

Shipra Bohara1 day ago

Moncler — Pioneers Dinner set design — photograph 1

Moncler Turns Gotham Hall Into an Alpine Forest for Its Fifth Avenue Flagship Celebration

Moncler marked the opening of its largest global flagship on Fifth Avenue with a Pioneers Dinner that brought an alpine landscape into New York’s Gotham Hall. Villa Eugénie developed the concept, set design and production, translating the brand’s mountain identity into a setting for its New York retail celebration.

EventsFashion

Alyssa Jade Mann1 day ago

Magda Butrym Makes Its New York Runway Debut as It Opens Its First City Flagship

Magda Butrym’s Spring-Summer 2027 Natalia collection pairs its first New York runway presentation with a new flagship, bringing Polish references and signature roses into focus.

FashionFeatured

Jeanel Alvarado2 days ago

Calvin Klein Collection Spring 2027 runway video still

Veronica Leoni Reworks Calvin Klein’s Foundational Wardrobe for Spring 2027

Veronica Leoni returned to Calvin Klein’s foundational wardrobe for Collection Spring 2027, presenting longer, narrower and cinched proportions at Terminal Warehouse in New York. The September 11 show put coats, shirts, tailoring, trousers, pencil skirts and slips at the center of the brand’s continued exploration of American minimalism.

FashionNews

Alyssa Jade Mann2 days ago

Tommy Hilfiger seated between two models wearing his Macy’s collection.

Bloomingdale’s Leads Macy’s Growth as Group Raises Annual Outlook

Macy’s raised its annual outlook after second-quarter sales increased 1.1% to $4.9 billion, with its luxury nameplates growing faster than the core Macy’s business.

BusinessFashion

Shipra Bohara4 days ago

CELINE Paris ateliers for Les Journées Particulières 2026, image 1

CELINE Opens Its Paris Ateliers to the Public: How to Book the October 2026 Visit

Reservations open September 24 at 2 p.m. Paris time for CELINE’s first public atelier opening during LVMH’s Les Journées Particulières.

EventsFashion

Jeanel Alvarado4 days ago

View all Fashion

Top 10 Brands Expanding into the US in 2026

Bearbottom Clothing CEO Robert Felder: Bringing Ethical Manufacturing to Menswear

The inception of Bearbottom Clothing can be traced back to a transformative high school trip to Bangladesh in 2012, which inspired Felder to create a clothing brand that is not only socially conscious but also actively contributes to global communities.

Unlock the rest of this story

More from Fashion

Gap Adds Forerunner Founder Kirsten Green to Its Board

Agua by Agua Bendita Brings Colombian Designs to Madrid With Florecer SS27

WSG Brands Acquires Nasty Gal With Wholesale and Licensing Expansion Planned

J.Crew Expands Eckhaus Latta Collaboration From One Sweater to a Full Collection

Recommended Articles

Ralph Lauren Expands Cotton Sourcing and Recycling as It Reports 42% Emissions Reduction

Athleta Signs Multiyear Valkyries Deal With Team-Store Merchandise Planned for 2027

Rosalía Puts Desigual’s Newspaper-Print Capsule in the Spotlight in Mexico City

Moncler Turns Gotham Hall Into an Alpine Forest for Its Fifth Avenue Flagship Celebration

Magda Butrym Makes Its New York Runway Debut as It Opens Its First City Flagship

Veronica Leoni Reworks Calvin Klein’s Foundational Wardrobe for Spring 2027

Bloomingdale’s Leads Macy’s Growth as Group Raises Annual Outlook

CELINE Opens Its Paris Ateliers to the Public: How to Book the October 2026 Visit

What are you looking for?

Start exploring

Unlock the rest of this story

More from Fashion

Recommended Articles

Sign up for RetailBoss Daily Newsletter