The biggest reason I started @MadeLokal was because it was so time consuming to purchase American made items....clothing in particular. Even when I was a buyer at an amazing, ethically driven store (ABC Home-please do shop there if you are in Manhattan..they carry many sustainable and made-in-america items!) I remember spending many a lunch break turning over tags to see if items had the elusive, "made in America" label. I shopped every single store on 5th Ave to see if they had Made-in-America product. Even items at ABC that I knew were made locally, sometimes did not have the actual label.
I was not an online shopper, but somehow it became more and more apparent that online shopping seemed the way to buy ethically, easily. You could search for the things that were important to you such as 'made-in-america' or 'fair trade'. More and more online shopping options were also becoming available.
I am a strong believer that you do not have to give up fashion or quality to buy sustainable products, but it also needs to be easy. Just a few brands and shops that make it easy to shop Made-in-America are:
Ethica is an online retailer where you can learn about ethical fashion, discover emerging designers, and shop a high-style selection of ethical and sustainable labels. Their goal is to connect consumers and companies that share a commitment to social responsibility.
An online and brick and mortar shop in Los Angeles, wonderfully curating everything from children, mens, women and home conveniently making an made-in-america a one-stop-shop.
ABC Home is an online and brick and mortar retailer whose mission is to manifest a shift in the retail paradigm, whereby beauty, experience, and magic are composed onto a revolutionary platform of cause-related products that guide creative expression, celebrate individuality, and cultivate the actualization of home as the sacred space
Reformation designs and manufactures limited-edition collections in thir own sustainable sewing factory located in downtown Los Angeles.
Rachel Comey makes clothes that are made locally in midtown Manhattan. Comey was widely credited for being the first major American designer to break with longstanding tradition and present her collection in Brooklyn over an intimate dinner party.
HDH's simple & clean aesthetic, quality fabrics, and impeccable attention to detail have made it a favorite of style-conscious women around the world. Everything is produced in their Minnesota studio by their talented team of seamstresses.
My dream is to bring together all the items that are being sold from different stores that are made-in-america and consolidate them into one place. Until then....happy, easy, MIA shopping with the links above!
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