Here in Las Vegas, amongst the handshakes, the meetings, and conversations I have noticed that brands and sourcing pros are looking to manufacturer more and more in the USA instead of going overseas. While certainly the volume of production going offshore is enormous the word on the street is that "speed to market" is often overtaking other factors when it comes to deciding where to product garments and with the costs rising in places like China domestic sources are starting to become more in demand. Moreover, domestic quality is very good - premium denim production for example in Los Angeles is almost nonpareil. Ironically, so much of the cut & sew work that has gone overseas in the past 10-15 years left a fairly large hole in places like California where demand for production is now growing again. My prediction.... look for USA garment production to make a recovery over the next few years.
Textiles and Apparel Blog : August 2008
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There is something in the air in Las Vegas this time around for MAGIC more than I have ever noticed in past editions. There is a power struggle going on amongst MAGIC and a host of competing shows. Brands are looking more than ever to be in the place where they can attract the most attention. MAGIC has it's crowd and there is certainly activity, but each time MAGIC happens it seems there is another, more niche show competing for the exhibiting brands and attending buyers; MAGIC, Project, MRket, ENK Vegas, Curve, Pool, and the new (status quo shaking) show called "When I Move You Move" put out there by Christian Audigier of Ed Hardy. When I first heard the name of WIMYM it sounded odd but the name grew on me over the past two days to the point when I couldn't help laugh and admire the sheer hutzpa (and upon further reflection genius) of this move on a host of levels. Here are the shots:
Back from Medellin, the factory visits and Colombia Moda 2008. The trip was a great experience and we got to know the right factories to bring into the MFG.com Textiles marketplace. Look for them here soon to service the needs of the MFG.com Fabric and Apparel buyers/brands. In the meantime, here's the equivalent of about 13,000 words to tell a story of what's happening in Medellin right now.
