We recently shared companies that are making quality products in the United States. To continue this ‘Made in America’ post from last week, we feature another round of companies who practice the same excellence and pride.
Some of these products have been staples in my daily wear for ages; they’ve held up to the test of time. I look forward to incorporating newer products into my lifestyle for years to come. Please share with us your experience with these makers, as well as any other companies, artisans, or manufacturers from the United States that have a presence in your wardrobe, and life.
I’ve been on a quest for the perfect t-shirt for years and years, seeking the right cut, fit, and feel. I hope Alabama Chanin will one day manufacture our perfect t-shirt (more on that later). Until then I have found comfort and quality in Three Dots, whose factory and corporate headquarters is based in Garden Grove, CA. My casual days at the office (of which there are many) include one of these basics with our swing skirt.
I’ve written many times on the art of wabi-sabi, referencing the Japanese beauty aesthetic in design. Earnest Sewn takes that aesthetic and applies it to the design of their jeans, while incorporating denim’s “Americana past.” The denim (and clothing) manufacturer prides itself on “workmanship and commitment to authenticity” in each pair of jeans. Part of their brand concept: “Each piece of Earnest Sewn is hand-crafted to perfection right here in the United States; the end result, a byproduct of our obsession.”
While in New York for MakeShift, we stopped in at 3×1, a storefront in SoHo with a jean manufacturing facility in-house. In the beautifully lit space, glass walls enclose a cutting and sewing room and allow you to see the making process in-store (by 11 sewers on staff). You may design and customize your own pair of jeans, or purchase from their already made collection.
Soft Star Shoes (shared in the comments of our last Made in America post) provides a customization service of shoes. All their shoes, including men’s, women’s, and (adorable) children’s shoes are handcrafted in their workshop loft in Corvallis, Oregon. Made to order, the shoes are comfortable and fun. They are crafted using materials such as USA sourced leathers and vegan options.
Lastly, Zkano, a family-operated organic cotton sock manufacturer, is very close to home. Not only because they are based in Fort Payne, Alabama—a three hour drive from Florence—but because of the company’s ideals: all organic. They care about the quality of the product as much as they do its environmental impact.
Fort Payne has a similar story to our textile manufacturing community. NAFTA and outsourcing led to an absence in the textile industry jobs; however, Emi-G Knitting, a twenty-year old sock manufacturing company remained in business. Around three years ago, daughter Gina, began working with her parents’ company to make organic active, crew, and fashion socks. Read more about the company here.
We realize there are many, many more artisans, crafters, companies, and manufacturers that are producing here in North America. We’d like to thank these ‘makers’ for their commitment as we continue to highlight the beautiful, ethical, and passionate work that is Made in the USA.
xoNatalie
And you are manufacturing an amazing T-shirt already! I purchased one of your “Alabama” t’s in April during the weekend workshop. I wear it almost every day and would love to have other colors, long sleeved too. The style/cut/fit is truly amazing!
Cheers,
Leslie
Piper Sandal Company makes sandals with arch support! http://Www.pipersandals.com
A friend of mine just sent me a copy of your Alabama Studio Sewing + Design and it is stunning! I reviewed it on my blog: http://www.rayela.com/book-review-alabama-studio-sewing-design/ (In case you want me to change anything….)
I appreciate your spirit of generosity so much! Not only your sharing of knowledge and allowing people to learn from you, but also in sharing some of the limelight, like with this post, by pointing to other companies.
We are all in this together and the more we can encourage others towards sustainability and economic development, the better this world will be.
I’ve invited you to join TAFA in the past (and I know that you are uber busy), but take a gander over there sometime and you will see some wonderful emerging designers doing great things, too. http://www.tafalist.com
Anyway, I love the book!
Rachel