Why is that? Because outsourcing has become the "in" thing. It's become easier, it's become cheaper and more or less those are the two things that matter most to designers. It's sad that this is happening because it's removing an essential part of New York and sending that economic stability to other countries. While yes, America is a rich country, right now in this recession we can't afford to be loosing businesses left and right.
Nanette Lepore has been a strong advocate of the Save the Garment initiative.
"I often think about the impact my family craftsmanship had on me. It gave me the tools I need to create and be fearless without limitations. Knowing that one has the potential to build something from a pile of raw materials is empowering. It's a gift that our children might not receive" Lepore said. It's such a true statement that a lot of designers don't fully realize.
About 80% of her products are made in America, but not only that, they are produced in about a 10 block radius from her office in New York's Garment Center, keeping skilled craftsmen that have immigrated from all over the world employed. She is able to really watch her garment take form. " I treasure being able to watch my product develop from a roll of fabric into a beautiful garment hanging in a shop. That garment was designed in my studio on 35th street, the pattern digitized on 38th street, then passed to a cutter around the corner, then bins of cut work trundled to a factory on 39th street, to then be sewn together."
The factories that Lepore works with make up about 300 jobs in New York City, but landlords, restaurents and hotel developers don't see that, and are so concered with changing the Garment Center so far from its roots.
-K.
