This post is a continuation of the thoughts expressed in the As Yet Untitled post.
Since writing that post, and reading all of the comments, I have become aware of the fact that many Americans complain about the lack of quality, affordable, American-made clothing, but, if we really care as much as we claim, we would build factories, invest in quality equipment, training and technology, make an effort to gather ready and willing employees, and financial incentives to produce here... but we aren't.
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with the CEO of a company working closely with a large textile and clothing manufacturing company in China. A completely vertical operation, they seek American designers, run custom fabric production using those designers' desired prints, develop and produce those designs in China, and sell those completed designs in Asia, where the market is hungry for American style clothing.
Who would say no to this?
Labor, fabric, and distribution at a fraction of the cost to produce and try to sell it right here? There is no economic argument for doing it here, unless you produce luxury goods at luxury prices.
After running the numbers, comparing an attempt to produce locally with this alternative, I can't see how anyone could argue for trying to do any large-scale production here. And the biggest companies - the very successful ones? they are already moving on to Egypt. Everyone just keeps pushing to find a new frontier.
I haven't quite figured out whether this is a bad thing. It does distribute wealth, after all...
What I learned in this meeting was interesting. The general public wants inexpensive clothing in quantity. It has to be the right clothing for your lifestyle, needs, and budget.
Wanna be artistic? Wanna march to the beat of your own drummer? Make things for yourself (if you can do it well, do it, since this is a very economical choice, vs. locally made!), or, if you are a designer, do small production or truly artistic pieces locally, assuming your products can attract a price that the right customers will pay.
On a thoughtful note, read this article about Nannette Lepore, notice that it was written two years ago, and look at this one from a year ago, noticing where the company produces their more intricate items now (15% of production), and noticing what their locally made dresses cost.
We have to care enough about local production to buy it, don't we? Is that locally made promise enough to make those of us who can, open our wallets a bit wider? Only time will tell...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
-
Address: 256 W. 38th Street, New York, NYC Phone: 212-398-3538 Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.... -
Guide Fabrics at 262 W. 38th Street is a great source for linings and interlinings. On my way to getting some buttonholes made at Jonath... -
Not many words, really. Just the photos. I'm proud of it. It isn't mine, and I nearly tear up at the thought of having to part w...
I think that if there were a greater demand for U.S.-made clothing it could work. One of my favorite clothing brands, Pinup Girl, is actually U.S. made and they put special tags on their garments to advertise that. It's also a woman-owned and run business (to include much of the designing), and they make garments in sizes from XS to 4X, so they do have a wider audience. And judging from the number of women who like their Facebook page and routinely post photos of themselves in 'just-purchased' garments, as well as from the speed at which new items sell out, they must be doing something right. Sure, the prices are not Walmart or JC Penney prices. But the garments still sell.
ReplyDeleteHard to say, I think. Fantastic when a company finds a niche, like Pinup Girl has, but when you want something standard, that everyone buys, where is that item made? I'm not the norm, but I wonder what my wardrobe would look be if I had American made as a requirement.
Delete