our core values
OUR FASHION DNA
Founded January 25, 1971. We started in the downtown Los Angeles fashion scene, with all operations in one small building. Gradually, Topson expanded into manufacturing worldwide. In the late seventies, Topson Downs expanded into Mexico. As a pioneer in outsourced shipping, Topson started a trend that has become mainstream in the garment industry. The past decade has been a major expansion era for Topson Downs.
In 1998, we expanded into China and eventually opened a China design room. Starting with junior apparel, we've gradually expanded our product line to include all categories of women's, men's, and kids apparel. Since we started, the apparel industry has evolved drastically. Topson Downs was ahead of the curve and began focusing on accommodating the mass-market retailers and speciality stores. Through building these relationships, Topson Downs has become a reliable supplier for quick response manufacturing.
LED BY DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
After graduating from California State University Northridge in 1979, John started with Topson Downs in the production and sales department. As CEO, John oversees the administrative and logistic areas of the company. John has a passion for collecting classic cars, and sports memorabilia, and remains an avid Dodger, Laker, and Rams fan. He has 2 kids, Tim and Ashley and he’s a proud Papa to 3 grandkids.Fun fact: John is one of 14 children born in Santa Monica and grew up on the west side. He has 33 nieces and nephews and 36 great-nieces and nephews.
Joe began with Topson in 1983 as a sales representative in the missy and plus size division. His title now is Corporate Secretary and is involved with sales, merchandising, and sourcing departments of Topson. Joe likes to do Yoga, swim, surf, and at times (depending on their performance) follows his alma mater, the USC Trojans, and a Grandpa to four beautiful grandkids!
A graduate of Cal State Northridge and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), Camille is passionate about all things fashion. She relentlessly pursues the next trend translation for our various businesses through travel and research. With our company for over 30 years, Camille has consistently challenged the status quo at Topson Downs. Understanding that true beauty radiates from within, and tying her personal beliefs with fashion, Camille launched AFRM, an acronym for Affirmation in 2017. Through AFRM, women are empowered through fashion and written affirmations to share their inner beauty through the way they dress. Camille is the proud mother of 3 boys (now men) and has been married to her sweetheart for 29 years.
Danny began his tenure at Topson Downs in 1999 in sales and merchandising. In his current role as President, Danny is responsible for growth, corporate strategy, finance, and sourcing. He is a graduate of the USC Marshall Entrepreneurship program and proud father of 3 children. Danny is a member of YPO, a LA Lakers, Rams, and USC super fan, and avid tennis player.
TEAM TOPSON
As an industry leader with multiple in-house brands our employees are the driving force behind the company’s success. Our teams are the building blocks of Topson Downs and without a cohesive relationship, we would not be where we are today. Our company relies on our employees to communicate, teach and learn from one another. Our HQ in Culver City serves as the root of the company, with additional offices located in NYC, Arkansas, Toronto, and Shanghai.
BEST IN CLASS COMPLIANCE
Topson Downs seeks to conduct business in an ethical and moral manner in all countries in which we have the privilege to work.
With our customer base expanding across many diverse cultures, we must ensure that the business people and companies with which we associate have the same values that we expect from our own employees. To achieve this, Topson Downs follows a company-wide code of conduct, including: Ethical Standards, Legal Requirements, Health & Safety, Environmental Safekeeping, Wages and Benefits, Working Hours, Child Labor, Prison/Forced Labor, Discrimination, Freedom of Association, and finally Disciplinary Practices. Setting the standard is great, but how do we ensure these principles are adhered to? We developed a compliance matrix which is audited every sixty days, which not only reassures us that these principles are met, but allows us to see progress and growth as well.
MANUFACTURING FOR THE FUTURE
Topson Downs strives to conduct business in a manner that considers our impact on the planet. A healthy environment is crucial for our customers, business, employees, community, and planet. In 2009, our building renovation received a LEED Gold Certification, and is powered mostly by renewable energy via an offset from Renewable Choice Energy. In 2015, we committed to a comprehensive sustainability plan that tackles a large scale of challenges. We are engaging with the Carbon Disclosure Project, and working towards achieving an Energy Star certification. We’ve opened dialogue with our factories about more sustainable production methods, especially in denim. The factories we work with across the globe are reporting their energy and water use, which we use to offer them reduction goals and create benchmarks of low-energy production. We're looking after our most important resource, our planet. After all, a polluted, energy-deficient world won't be good for business.
Topson Downs is a proud member of Better Cotton, Better Cotton is sourced via a system of mass balance and is not physically traceable to end products. Topson Downs is committed to sourcing 50% of our cotton as Better Cotton by 2027.
In 2021, Topson Downs announced its partnership with ELEVATE Limited, the industry leader in responsible sourcing and supply chain validation. Responsible Sourcing and compliance have always been among the top priorities for Topson. With already a strong compliance program in place at Topson, Elevate would help to streamline operations; finding efficiencies and building more transparency while mapping the future of sustainability with Topson.
Our collaboration with ELEVATE Limited has yielded significant achievements in advancing our commitment to ethical and sustainable practices in our industry. Among these, Topson has implemented a Responsible Sourcing initiative that includes consolidated audits, systematized reporting, and enhanced CAP management processes. We revamped and modernized our Code of Conduct and issued an updated Responsible Sourcing and Compliance Manual for our suppliers and factories.
We standardized new factory onboarding processes and expanded the visibility and oversight of upstream suppliers. We regularly analyze our supplier matrix, making it more efficient and transparent, with the intent of continued improvement and progress in the years to come.
SHARING THE LOVE
We have a strong desire as a company to give back to our community and neighborhoods. Topson has been a big supporter of the Red Cross through disaster relief donation, blood drives, and apparel donations.
