Locally made, and why it matters
Producing apparel can at the same time be both straightforward and very complex. Clothing is a product. It is conceived, designed, and patterned. The parts are sourced and collected. The pieces are cut and sewn into a garment. Skill, creativity, and organization are required.
When I began Goddess Gear 25 years ago, the decision to produce my products locally was non-negotiable. For me, the reasons were many. Most important were control over product quality and keeping local money and skilled work in my community. Many gorgeous, ethically made apparel lines are produced worldwide. Almost everyone needs a job. So why was close to home so important?
For me, this was a new career with a steep learning curve, and so many things that could go wrong. A seam in the wrong place, the color or type of thread miscommunicated, a pattern marked incorrectly. Many details go into making a quality product. Neglecting them can spell disaster for a small business. Sustainability was key for my products and the business. It meant starting small. I made only what I could reasonably sell in a season. Then, I started again the next.
Overproduction is a dirty secret in the garment industry. The pressure to make more, to lower the cost per unit, perpetuates a vicious cycle of constant consumption. Producing clothing overseas often necessitates large minimums, which, for a small company, is a gamble. If something goes wrong, it may be too late to fix when the finished product arrives. Smaller minimums also allow me to exercise my creativity, to try new styles or fabrics more often, to continue experimenting and keeping my designs fresh.
Keeping production local ensures that I know the person sewing each seam. I am learning daily from each of my production partners, and their expertise helps me improve our products. I love the relationships that I have been so fortunate to develop over the years. The ability to interact with so many talented, creative, and hardworking folks daily is a gift. Everything that can be done locally is. For the others, such as fabric sourcing, I rely on the trusted relationships developed over the years with fabric designers and producers who share the same values that I hold dear.
Local production also plays a vital role in supporting our local economy and fostering economic growth. By choosing to keep our work local and the dollars in our community, we have the power to make a real difference. Not only can we contribute to job creation, but can also help revive a skilled and specialized workforce that has been in decline due to the loss of garment manufacturing in the U.S. This is not just about the apparel industry; it's about preserving institutional knowledge that is crucial for so many other businesses as well.
Ensuring that our garments are sewn by valued individuals who earn fair wages and work under safe and healthy conditions brings peace of mind to me, and hopefully by extension to you as well. By manufacturing locally, I have the opportunity to guarantee that ethical standards are met.
The beauty of this is that the power is in the consumers’ hands. YOU are the ones who decide what to buy and what direction this industry and others take. You vote with your dollars and your decisions. In a time when many feel powerless to change the world, it is empowering to know that our choices do matter.
My hope is that we are each able to reflect on what we value and what we truly need. To consider where the products we purchase come from, and what we do with them at the end of their lifespan.
