Made With Pride ~ The Sample Room

By Marina Rybak

One of the core political campaign narratives is to restore American jobs. A few newsworthy bits in the media have caught my attention lately. “Connecting the dots”, I realized that an inspirational lingerie story could emerge on the eve of the Presidential Election.

The high profile rhetoric about the unraveling of the American-made menswear brands – HMX Group highlighted the fact that thousands of local jobs are at stake. Meanwhile on the other side of the Atlantic the iconic Chanel quietly saved nearly 200 jobs in Scotland by acquiring its own cashmere producer.

Chanel’s action was a reflection of brand’s ongoing “commitment to craftsmanship” and to its valued artisans. The CEO, Bruno Pavlosky, stated in the interview on the Business of Fashion: “Chanel is perhaps one of the most successful business models based on creativity… We need to support creativity and we need to respect creativity”.

At the same time top British fashion executives met with British Business Secretary to focus on the manufacturing at home.  Many British lingerie brands already do just that and are quite vocal about pledging their support to local creative resources – be it Bespoke Corsetry or the historic Nottingham Lace, industry for example.  Simultaneously the exhibit “ Lace Works” is set to open in Nottingham on November 10 till February 3 to showcase the city’s distinguished heritage.

The unique approach of the Japanese government goes even further. By awarding renowned artisans and craftsmen the respectable title of Living National Treasure, it recognizes their mastery as an important cultural legacy worthy of safeguarding and assures its continuation.

Yet our local “Living National Treasure” , The Sample Room, could become the relic of the past, overshadowed by the extravagant age of techpacks and virtual product development.

I am humbly grateful to experience the creative process in the Lingerie Sample Room. Behind beautiful samples and huge profits there were always beautiful faces with talented hearts, minds and skilled “golden hands”.  Rich in our diversity, we had one thing in common – we all aspired to have a shot at the American Dream.

Nowadays outside of few prestigious American-made lingerie brands and contrary to the popular belief, it is mostly the independent lingerie designers and the smaller brands, which are the local job creators. These creative and courageous entrepreneurs keep the local sewing machines humming, the local workshops doors open and the Dream alive.

Ari Dein Made In America

Zinke Made In America

Hanky Panky Made In America

Rago Made In America

Only Hearts Made In America

Toad Lillie Made In America