Fashion Our Future Series 3⎢Part 2: Made in USA: from decline to revival with Steven Kurutz
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Nov 12, 2024 
Join journalist Steven Kurutz, author of "American Flannel," as he delves into the revival of American textile manufacturing. He shares compelling stories of passionate entrepreneurs reshoring production and combating fast fashion. Topics include the impact of trade agreements on domestic industries, the artistry of handmade goods, and the growing consumer preference for ethically made, quality garments. Discover how local production is reshaping our understanding of fashion and the potential it holds for sustainable practices.
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Decline of US Textile Industry
- The U.S. textile industry, once thriving, declined from producing 70% of American clothing in 1980 to about 2% today.
- This shift is largely due to cheaper labor overseas, causing many U.S. factories to close.
Zucchino Socks
- Gina Locklear, featured in "American Flannel", revived her family's sock mill in Fort Payne, Alabama, by focusing on organic fashion socks.
- Fort Payne, once a sock-making hub, lost most of its mills to China due to cheaper labor.
American Giant's Flannel Revival
- American Giant's CEO, Bayard Winthrop, aimed to create a fully American-made flannel shirt, a garment not produced in the U.S. since the 1990s.
- This endeavor involved rebuilding the entire flannel supply chain, from yarn dyeing to weaving.
