Where do clothes come from?

Much like my fascination with the origin of food, comes a similar curiosity to the DNA of my clothes. I buy at a store, hang in my closet: end of story? Not quite. Two truths here: everyone has to eat and wear clothes. My subtle, yet seemingly sudden fascination, comes from reading Alice Waters and Chez Panisse. Her commitment to fresh, seasonal and local food has forever changed my perspective about eating and, now, clothing - at least from a production standpoint. There is a beauty in eating locally - rent Food Inc. and you'll see what I mean. There is nothing magical about a Tyson slaughter house. However, watching two local farmers defeather and kill a chicken with their own hands for market the next day has a certain harmony. 

This passage from Waters' book captures what I want for everyone to experience in work and food...

An ideal reality where life and work were inseparable and the daily pace left you time for the afternoon anisette or the restorative game of petanque, and where eating together nourished the spirit as well as the body - since the food was raised, harvested hunted fished and gathered by people sustaining and sustained by each other and by the earth itself.

What about the clothes? In WJS today, I came across this article about designers rallying to support the fashion economy in New York City by getting vocal about where their clothes are made: New York City. Like Alice Waters did for California Cuisine in philosophy and locale, Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung among others are doing for apparel in the Garment District. I am not studied in apparel manufacturing nor am I a fashion label CEO (yet) but I'm overwhelmed by a gut feeling that supporting businesses making money off products made by 11 year olds working 12 hour days in China is not karmically good.

Made in Midtown with support from the CFDA and Design Trust for Public Space are getting the word out about the importance of maintaining a viable manufacturing core in New York. Connecting consumers more closely to how favorite garments come life each season will hopefully inspire a more thoughtful purchasing experience for them. These vignettes bring to life steps necessary for putting together your favorite piece this season whatever it maybe. 

Enjoy!

Stage 1

Made in Midtown: Jason Wu from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 2

Made in Midtown: Danny Gold from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 3

Made in Midtown: Tina Schenk from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 4

Made in Midtown: Tony Singh from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 5

Made in Midtown: Paul Cavazza from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 6

Made in Midtown: Ramdat Harihar from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 7

Made in Midtown: Ron Frasch from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.