Bayard Winthrop, founder of American Giant, reflects on his journey from traditional overseas manufacturing to launching a brand focused on quality, American-made products. He explains how his perspectives shifted after experiencing disconnection from the products he sold and witnessing the decline of American apparel brands. He emphasizes a desire to create durable, meaningful clothing akin to those he cherished in his youth, leading to the successful launch of a sweatshirt that was hailed as 'the greatest hoodie ever made.' This venture aimed to address the broader challenges faced by the middle class over the past four decades.
I grew up in the 70s and 80s with the great American clothing brands like Levi's and Wrangler...By 2010, there were no clothing brands like that anymore.
The last 40 years have been really bad for the working middle class.
What began to dawn on me is that I was becoming increasingly disconnected from the product that I was selling.
When I had my first daughter in 2010, I just didn't want to do it anymore. I got this pretty naive notion to start American Giant.
#american-manufacturing #apparel-industry #consumer-products #economic-philosophy #middle-class-challenges
Collection
[
|
...
]