Are we really ready to buy “Made in America”
Over the years cheaper, faster, and easier are all buzz words we have become accustomed to; not only in marketing lingo but also in terms of the way we shop. It is no secret that most products (especially garments) are produced overseas for cheaper labor. As Americans have become more aware of this fact, we all say we support products that are “Made in America” but are we really showing up to BUY in America? Are we putting our money where our mouths are?
It seems that the phrases “Based in America” and “Designed in America” have become hot terms used as clickbait for certain brands. While this may be true, these terms do not mean MADE in America, blurring the lines of transparency. Here at Élevé, we want to dismantle the blurred lines and provide quality products that are truly made in the USA from start to finish, honoring an American supply chain.
We must remember that cheaper doesn't translate to better. Growing up watching my mother work so hard as a seamstress, I quickly understood what took to make a product stand out. That will always be quality.
When I first set out to start my lingerie line in 2018 I was committed to having it made in the U.S., not only to ensure the quality but to support our local workforce- something Americans seemed ready for. I knew that the challenges of starting a new business would be no easy feat; as all companies enter the world as a “no-name brand” and have a responsibility to educate their clients on what sets them apart.
In our case, we had to clearly communicate why customers couldn’t find the same item in Walmart or Target for a lesser cost, and express the value of a niche product that required expert skill and design. We knew it would be a challenging journey as we battled a feed full of $20 bras and $15 lingerie.
While we thankfully saw a huge uptick on our site since COVID-19, forcing us to embrace leisure wear and work from home fashions, we continue to hope for a new resurgence in supporting American Made. We realized that we were selling to the same buyers over and over again. Though these consumers clearly valued quality and design they were still asking for something less expensive. This made us think about the values we hold on American workmanship and what customers are willing to pay for it. The fact is, the more we support American made the closer we become to bridging this gap of supply and demand.
What do you say, are you ready to consciously boost the American supply chain by shopping MADE in America? Are you ready to support companies who value their workers and produce products in a fair and ethical manner?