I was asked to repost this piece of writing that I did. I think one of the no so good things that happens is the indie designers producing domestically are not feeling proud enough about what they do. In the face of all odds, Indie Designers finance, create, sell and fret over one of the most difficult business you can find. OK, here is what I was asked to repeat. Ill be the first one to admit that I am not completely current on the comings and goings of corporations like Lauren, Hilfiger, the Gap and other brands and stores that are part of the big box retail world. So excuse me for using a little old news. About a dozen companies did one of those admitted but did not admit guilt pleas in making their apparel in Saipan and the Northern Mariana Islands. So, big deal. So here is the big deal. Because these are U.S. territories, Hilfiger and other labels and retailers could mark there creations, Made in the USA. At the same time, Saipan and Northern Mariana Islands are not subject to minimum wage laws and many other laws that we take for granted. In fact, workers in these factories were being mistreated and cheated out of pay. Hilfiger and some of the others settled the lawsuit by promising to not treat workers badly and paying a fine of a few million dollars. Since the cheap labor and Made in the USA label didnt work out so well, Tommy H just started making everything in China where unethical behavior is kind of sport. I looked all over usa.tommy and could not find a trace of made in USA product. Maybe it is there but youd have to look awfully hard to find it. So if you want American style made in China, Tommy is your man. Does it sound like I am picking on Tommy. Well, I am. Here is a label that does everything but make clothes out of the flag and it is not predominantly made in the USA. So when you see all of that Tommy cares press, just remember, he doesnt care enough to support American fabric makers or American labor. OK, so Tommy sells his company for a few billion to PHV (Philips Van Heusen) in 2010. PVH has its own little CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) so we shouldnt expect any more trouble but son of a gun if PVR didnt show up when Green Peace wrote its Dirty Laundry report of 2011. If you want to have a good laugh, go and find the corporate responses to the Green Peace report. Needless to say, all of the companies said that it must have been the other guy. So dont worry whether your cotton is organic or not. Just try and use factories that pay a fair wage and dont have a coal fired burner running their sewing machines. As an Indie Designer making your garments in America, you are already the good guy.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 06:17:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015