Club Monaco: Made in the U.S.A.

Often times both consumers and apparel manufacturers overlook the benefits of production within our country. Some of these benefits are social, ethical, environmental, and economic. With so much manufacturing lost to overseas contractors, it is very satisfying to see the high-end clothing company, Club Monaco, launch a "Made in the U.S.A." collection in its stores in New York City's storied Fifth Avenue and its near-equivalent in Toronto, Canada, on Bloor Street. Here is a behind the scenes look at the manufacturing process, as well as the back-story of how this project came about. Enjoy:

As I mentioned earlier, there are many benefits to manufacturing within our borders. First of all, for the apparel manufacturer, you have much more control over your product from start to finish. For example, the advantage of being within close proximity to your factories allows the company more quality control, allowing them to look and feel the product throughout its manufacturing process. Producing in a factory in China, on the other hand, is much more of a gamble. You may not see you product you designed until 3 months after its inception. What if the hem isn’t right, or the waistband stitching? Anything can happen.

In addition, think about how many jobs an apparel manufacturer creates when producing domestically. Some of the necessary jobs performed are fabric mills, markers, graders, cutters, sewers, dye houses, packaging companies, etc etc. To give you some scope, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 154,700 apparel manufacturing jobs in the country as of September. Imagine if more apparel companies followed suit!

Moreover, the consumer is happier. Knowing that your clothing is made in America and your money is staying in the US is a much more satisfying feeling, not to mentioned the idea of craftsmanship, quality, and America is definitely catching on the fashion industry.

Products are more cleaned up, tailored, neat, traditional, and quality driven, something that America has always fostered.

In addition, there is an ethical benefit, which makes everyone feel good. Factories in the United States are rigorously regulated. Workers are paid a fair wage, and working conditions are far superior to the rest of the world. Imagine if the shirt you are wearing was made by a 12 year old girl trapped inside a basement in India, without food or water until she completes her quota. Pretty gnarly right? It happens.

Not to mention, producing domestically reduces the environmental impact. For instance, shipping from China via air or boat is very costly and has many negative consequences on our environment (oil, pollution, etc.). I could go on and on about how advantageous manufacturing apparel is in the US, but the bottom line is that our country needs to be more competitive with the rest of the world, and provide more incentives for doing so.

In the end, however, by producing here, everyone wins. Club Monaco is on the right track and has really helped our country and themselves out (think of all the good press they are getting out of this!). It's time for change: “Create Jobs, Buy American, Go America” (Alex Maine).