Clothing retailer Everlane will exit San Francisco, consolidating its headquarters into a Los Angeles office by August. The move ends the company’s 14 year presence in the city where it launched.
Spokesperson Kenneth Loo confirmed the departure plans, framing the shift as an effort to unify scattered teams. Staff currently based in San Francisco received offers for relocation assistance or a switch to permanent remote positions.
The announcement follows weeks of confusion over the company’s lease status. The Gazetteer initially reported an eviction filing in San Francisco Superior Court on April 2, citing an unlawful detainer action. Everlane pushed back on that characterization.
“Everlane has been in ongoing, good faith discussions with its landlords regarding its San Francisco office,” the company statement read. It described the court filing as “a routine procedural step” rather than a hostile proceeding.
Founded in 2011 by Jesse Farmer and Michael Preysman, Everlane built its brand on direct to consumer basics and a pricing model it called “radical transparency.” The company itemized production expenses, including materials, labor, duties, transport and markup, for shoppers to inspect.
That distinctive approach earned national attention. A 2017 New Yorker profile highlighted the brand’s minimalist aesthetic. Co-founder Preysman made an odd admission in the piece, telling the magazine, “You do not get laid in Everlane.”
Meanwhile, the company’s reputation took a hit in 2020. A New York Times investigation surfaced allegations of racist behavior from former employees. The report also questioned Everlane’s sustainability promises, noting the brand failed to track greenhouse gas emissions across its full product line or reduce water usage.
The Los Angeles consolidation signals a broader operational reset. Whether the company can maintain its carefully crafted image while relocating its center of gravity remains an open question.
