Competitor 1
Prison Blues
Prison Blues launched in 1989 at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution, providing jobs and skills to inmates through denim production.
Company Background
Established in 1989 at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI), a medium-security state prison in Pendleton, Oregon. The brand operates a 47,000-square-foot facility where inmates volunteer after passing a strict hiring process.
Products & Pricing
Price range: $30-$45. The factory produces denim jeans, shirts, and jackets using U.S.-grown cotton, targeting 25-55 workers and denim fans with affordable, rugged appeal. The brand has found particular success in Japan, positioning itself outside the luxury space.
Compensation Model
Inmates earn $50-$55 daily—far better than the $1 hourly prison laundry pay. They keep 20% of wages (about $10) for savings or family, with 80% going to prison costs. Profits stay with Oregon Corrections Enterprises, unlike Maison Bullion's 50% inmate profit-sharing.
Market Reception
Wall Street Journal (2022) praises its $2 million revenue durability, r/denim (2023) loves its toughness, but r/ethicalfashion (2023) flags low pay—X (2025) warns of sweatshop risks if scaled.
www.prisonblues.com
Prison Blues | Work Jeans and Denim Apparel - Made on the inside to be worn on the outside
From clothing to accessories, when you purchase Prison Blues from any of our vendors, you get a high quality, durable product. You are also investing in people. Your purchase helps us change lives, one opportunity at a time.
Competitor 2
Carcel
Carcel began operations in 2016, starting with knitting programs in Peruvian and Thai women's prisons to create high-end apparel.
Note: Website is a gambling site so owner may have lost domain and last IG post was in 2022.
Mission & Operations
Carcel creates ethical fashion by employing incarcerated women, offering them wages and skills training to improve their lives after release. Inmates work in prison knitting programs, producing luxury items.
Products
The brand sells premium knitwear like sweaters, scarves, and tops, priced between $150-300 dollars, made from alpaca wool and marketed as high-quality, sustainable apparel.
Target Audience
Carcel's audience is primarily women aged 25-45 who value high-end fashion with a social impact story behind it. Their customers seek luxury items with ethical production practices.
Competitor 4
Fair Indigo
Fair Indigo launched in 2006 with a mission to ensure fair wages and eco-friendly production for workers in Peru and Uganda, focusing on sustainable apparel without inmate involvement.
The Fair Indigo Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve educational opportunities for children in the Peruvian communities where our cotton is grown, our alpacas are herded, and our products are made. The Foundation is funded by donations and by the support of Fair Indigo, which covers 100% of administrative and fundraising costs. That means every penny donated goes directly to supporting schools, teachers, and kids.
Mission & Operations
Focused on ethical production in Peru and Uganda, ensuring fair wages and sustainable practices for all workers.
Product Range
Sustainable casual wear including shirts, pants, dresses, and sweaters priced at $50-$150, positioned as mid-tier sustainable fashion.
Target Audience
Attracts 18-55+ eco-conscious casual buyers who prioritize sustainability over high-end branding.
Distribution
Products sold primarily online and through select U.S. retail stores since launching in 2006.
Fair Indigo
Organic Cotton Clothing | Fair Trade Sustainable Clothes | Fair Indigo
Shop our selection of organic cotton tees and sustainable clothing, all ethically made by workers who are paid fairly. Discover our fair trade clothing collection and experience the difference that doing good can make. Enjoy free shipping every day and free returns on your first order. Shop now!
Competitor 5
Alo Yoga
Overview of luxury athleisure competitor with strong market presence
Brand & Mission
Brand: Alo Yoga blends style, performance, and ethical production, using sustainable materials to appeal to fitness-focused buyers without inmate labor.
Company History
Established: Started in 2007 in Los Angeles, known for crafting luxury athleisure apparel with sustainable materials.
Product Line
Products: Sweatsuits, leggings, and tops priced at 100 dollars to 400 dollars, sold through a strong U.S. market presence with global supply chains.
Target Audience
Audience: Affluent, fitness-focused consumers aged 18-55+, including celebrities, who value premium performance wear.
Competitor 5
Alo Yoga - Impact & Insights
Analysis of Alo Yoga's business model, media perception, and potential risks compared to Maison Bullion's approach.
Money Flow
Alo Yoga reinvests all profits into operations and Alo Gives, a nonprofit teaching kids yoga—unlike Maison Bullion, which shares 50% with inmates—offering no direct worker profit-sharing despite its ethical focus.
Positive Press
Traditional Media: Vogue (2024) lauds its "celeb-loved sustainability," boosting its high-end cred. The brand enjoys significant positive coverage highlighting its luxury appeal.
Mixed Online Reception
Online Communities: X (2025) cheers "Alo's sweats are fire" for performance, but r/fashion (2024) notes "fit's inconsistent" (6 upvotes). Social media shows mixed praise with rare fit complaints.
Potential Risks
Scaling could highlight fit issues (r/fashion 2024) or lack of profit-sharing scrutiny vs. Maison Bullion's inmate model. Google shows no scandals from 2020-2025—indicating a strong overall reputation.
