Everlane built its brand on "radical transparency," laid off workers immediately after they petitioned to unionize, lost its founder, and was finally sold to Shein in May 2026 for roughly the size of its debt — wiping out common shareholders. Its acquirer scores worst among major brands on forced-labor benchmarks, putting every Everlane sustainability claim under new management. The brand now answers to the fast-fashion giant its marketing defined itself against.