Effective Date: March 3, 2026
Last Updated: October 7, 2026
1. Our Commitment
Our research methodology is based on a rigorous commitment to the truth. It is the foundation of our mission.
At FYI Americans, every claim passes through multiple verification layers.
We don’t aggregate content. We investigate it.
This page explains how we research, source, and fact-check our analysis of luxury fashion history, art markets, and cultural economics.
2. Primary Sources We Use
2.1 Academic Databases
- JSTOR — peer-reviewed fashion studies, textile history, anthropology
- Fashion Studies Journal — theoretical and historical analysis
- Textile History Review — material culture and production techniques
- Vogue Archive — primary documentation of fashion journalism since 1892
2.2 Industry & Market Data
- Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Phillips — auction results, price databases
- Artnet Analytics — market trends, artist indices
- Baghunter — luxury handbag investment research
- Business of Fashion, Vogue Business — industry reporting with financial rigor
2.3 Archival Collections
- The Met Costume Institute — exhibition catalogs, object records
- Victoria & Albert Museum — fashion and textile archives
- Musée de la Mode et du Textile (Paris) — haute couture documentation
- Fondazione Hermès — corporate history, artisan documentation
2.4 Expert Consultation
When cited, interviews with curators, auction specialists, and collectors are conducted directly by our research team, not recycled from secondary sources.
3. Our Fact-Checking Process
Step 1: Source Verification
Every statistic, date, and price is traced to its original publication. We do not cite “industry estimates” without named sources.
Example:
- ❌ “Hermès produces 70,000 bags per year” (unsourced)
- ✅ “Hermès annual report 2023 states 4,500 artisans producing approximately 70,000 leather goods annually” (sourced)
Step 2: Cross-Reference
Key claims require confirmation from at least two independent sources.
| Claim | Source 1 | Source 2 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birkin 14% annual return | Baghunter 2016 study | Sotheby’s auction data 2010–2023 | ✅ Verified |
Step 3: Expert Review
Articles on specialized topics (auction mechanics, textile conservation, economic modeling) are reviewed by professionals in those fields before publication.
Step 4: Living Corrections
If new information invalidates a previous claim, we:
- Update the article with a correction note
- Preserve original text with strikethrough (for transparency)
- Date all changes
4. What We Don’t Do
| Practice | Why We Avoid It |
|---|---|
| AI-generated content | No tool replaces archival research and expert judgment |
| Aggregator recycling | We don’t rewrite press releases or other blogs |
| Anonymous sources | Every expert is named or described by role |
| Undisclosed affiliate influence | Commercial relationships never affect editorial content (see Disclosure) |
5. Limitations & Transparency
What We Cannot Guarantee
- Investment returns: Past performance of art/fashion assets does not predict future results. Our analysis is educational, not financial advice.
- Completeness: Archives have gaps. We note when records are incomplete.
- Real-time data: Auction results posted with delay. Prices cited are accurate to publication date.
Corrections Policy
Errors are corrected within 24 hours of discovery. Major corrections warrant standalone update notes.
6. Citation Standards
Want to verify our sources or cite our work?
Please use:
[Author]. “[Article Title].” FYI Americans, [Date].
https://fyiamericans.com/[slug]
7. Contact
Research inquiries:
📧 contact@fyiamericans.com
Subject line: “Research”
Or use our contact form.
8. Related Pages
Methodology reviewed quarterly.