American Boots

As somewhat of an avid boot wearer, I appreciate this site. Although these are pinned as "work boots," many of the styles would look good worn casually as well.

Not to mention...
Snow boots, anyone?

Made In U.S.A.

A cool website that provides links to companies and retailers that sell American-made products.


Good place to start if you wish to buy American!

Portfolio

I'm a little worried about getting all of this done... Looks like it will be another late night for me.

Stormy Kromer

Stormy Kromer Homepage

Cool hats and outerwear- all made in the U.S.

Recast

Just finished. For my recast, I decided to make a poster reminiscent of American pro-production posters from the 1940s. I'm pretty happy with the result.

Reflection on the Death of Osama Bin Laden

I used to think that the death of Osama Bin Laden would inherently lead to the end of Al Qaida. Now that Bin Laden is dead, I am unsure of what will come of the event. His death does not feel as monumental as I thought it might feel. If any organization loses its leader, it does not signal the demise of that organization. New management moves in, and the organization carries on. It may not carry on with the exact same mentality or methods, but its demise is not immediate.

I feel that Bin Laden’s death is more of a positive symbol for our country’s war on terror rather than a milestone. His death may not have much of an effect on the strength of Al Qaida, but it has certainly instilled a renewed sense of patriotism and pride in Americans.

New New Balance Offering

New Balance is now offering a customizable version of their 574 casual trainer.

Each pair of shoes is Made in the USA. According to the New Balance site, the shoe "typically delivers in 4 to 8 business days," and costs $114.95. Not too shabby for custom American made sneakers!

Learn more here

"Is Anything Made in the USA Anymore?"

Interesting New York Times article

At least processed food is still made in America...

May Playlist

This ended up being pretty eclectic, but I think its a good representation of how I've been feeling lately.


The Strokes - You Only Live Once
I'm not the biggest Strokes fan, but I just found this song in my music library. I think the first verse really speaks to differing opinions (arguments). This song also reminds me of home, and my friends from home.

Spoon - Well Alright
I hope I can manage to get a good grade on this research paper, then everything will be alright.

Tyler the Creator - Inglorious
This sort of mirrors my frustrations with my English class right now. I love the beat, but like almost all Odd Future stuff, this song is a bit explicit. Fair warning.

Joy Division - Digital
At this point in the quarter, I feel like all I have is work, "day in, day out."

M. Ward - Eyes on the Prize
"Everything I've learned I have forgotten, everything I've forgotten looks just like new."

Overseas Production: A Literature Review

Here it is:

Much of the clothing Americans purchase in the United States is not actually manufactured in the United States. Of course, this may come as no surprise. It seems that Americans are now used to the fact that the clothing they purchase is often manufactured overseas. Although the outsourcing of production may be the cheapest and most lucrative option for clothing companies, it ties our country to foreign affairs. China, one of the world’s largest clothing and textile exporters, is struggling to meet production demands. Some Chinese clothing manufacturers are even struggling to find workers willing to subject themselves to the long hours and low pay that clothing manufacturing jobs entail. As China’s middle class grows, western clothing companies and Chinese clothing manufacturers are beginning to turn to more impoverished countries as a source of labor. These deterrents coupled with high shipping costs and unfavorable working conditions overseas are pushing some American companies to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States.

To ensure that the United States does not become pulled into the affairs of foreign countries with regards to labor, American companies must start to bring manufacturing jobs back into the United States. Hassler’s 2003 article, The global clothing production system: commodity chains and business networks, examines the influences on clothing firms, and states that clothing production is primarily driven by demand. If Americans demand American-made clothing, clothing companies may be forced to give in. Chu, Greene, and Ma’s 2004 comparison of American and Chinese labor laws, Sino-American Labor Law Comparisons: Where Do East and West Meet? revealed that both countries share the same maximum number of work hours for production workers. This means that American workers would be just as effective as Chinese workers, simply at a higher price of labor. Shen conducted a 2008 study, What's Happening in China's Textile and Clothing Industries? and interviewed fourteen high profile heads of Chinese companies to discover how China’s clothing industry has changed recently. The study revealed that factories in China are turning “Midwest,” and to poorer countries like Vietnam for labor.

China may soon turn to the outsourcing of clothing production just as the United States has. A 2005 Marketing Week article, Leader: Has China turned wolf in Western clothing? suggests that the expertise China has gained in clothing production may give rise to powerful homegrown Chinese clothing companies. Soon, it may not be cheaper to manufacture clothing in China, as Chinese manufactures grow in power. Liber’s 2011 Businessweek article, Made in USA Gives Small Business an Edge, also brings to light the fact that high shipping costs and length of time required for shipment from overseas is pushing some American companies to turn to American factories for clothing production.

Literature Review: Complete

I just finished and submitted my Literature Review... What a relief. I hope I did well on it (thankfully, I remembered to put this submission in MLA format).

Response to a Comment

"I would be interested in reading a bit about what, off the top of your head, do you think the solution is?"

I think that the U.S. needs to slowly but surely start bringing jobs back from overseas. I realize that our priorities for domestic production seem to be high-tech goods, but everyday goods like clothing and housewares should be just as important. Our country shifted from primarily producing low tech (clothing, housewares) to high tech goods. What happens when China's priorities shift too? Will we simply continue to prey on more and more impoverished countries to produce our low-cost goods? Bringing jobs back will ensure that international issues will not affect our own necessary everyday products.

Mid-April Playlist

Here's a sample of what I've been listening to lately:

New Order - Age of Consent
I've always had trouble waking up on time in the morning. Listening to this song when I wake up seems to help me get going and start working.

Theophilus London - Flying Overseas
Flying overseas, overseas production... I thought this was appropriate.

Vampire Weekend - Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac cover)
More of a personal song- how I'm feeling right now.

Diamond Rings - Something Else
I've always thought that quality clothing was really something else...

The Kills - Future Starts Slow
The Kills are probably my favorite band right now, and their new album Blood Pressures was no disappointment. This song best portrays the mood I've been in lately.

Research Proposal

It seems too often that I hear people state “everything is made in China.” Why is this? Surely the reduced cost of production seems to be the driving force, but how much do companies really save? For my research argument paper, I would like to explore outsourcing, and the production of goods overseas.
I would like to focus on the production of clothing. Although products ranging from furniture to computers are produced overseas, I think clothing is very relatable. Everyone wears clothing, and likely clothing that was not produced in the United States. I’ve always thought that the exceptional quality and materials warranted the high price of designer clothing. With companies like Burberry and Ralph Lauren producing much of their clothing in China, are you really paying for superior quality?
I feel that the outsourcing of production for American goods is not advisable for our country. Such production increases our dependency on foreign nations, and indirectly links the U.S. to foreign affairs. Foreign labor strikes and law changes will affect the goods produced for America. Not to mention the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs takes those jobs away from Americans. In a time of economic recession, it seems that America can use all of the jobs it can get its hands on. What better time than now to start bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S?
Not only does overseas production negatively affect the U.S. job market, it also negatively affects overseas workers. Working conditions are often not ideal, and labor laws tend to be much more lax in other countries. By providing jobs for people of other countries, we are increasing the likelihood that younger and younger workers will seek jobs.
For my research paper, I would like to learn more about the world of outsourcing. I want to learn about the labor laws that affect workers both here and overseas, and how these laws affect production. I hope to gain a better-informed opinion on the subject of outsourcing.

Interesting Article

Its shocking to think that "In the U.S. apparel market, domestic production fell from 41 percent in the late 1990s to just 3 percent in 2008."

However, it seems that some American clothing manufacturers have seen a rise in business as of late.

Read the Businessweek article here:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_14/b4222057084776.htm

Five Areas of Research

Here's what I came up with...

1. Made in America

-With a growing number of American market products produced in China, or “overseas,” Americans seem to assume that products made in America are of supreme quality

-How is the quality of a product affected by its place of origin?

2. Music and Fashion

-Which influences which?

-I have an interest in both, and an interest in their relationship

-Musicians are often fashion icons

3. Recycling

- How effective is recylcling?

-Should the U.S. enforce recycling, or simply encourage it?

-As a future industrial designer, sustainability is a major concern in my field

4. “Fakes”

-From cell phones to designer clothing, how are fake goods produced and distributed?

-Should there be more restrictions on the sale of fake goods?

5. Revolution

-Should the U.S. feel obligated to get involved with other countries’ revolutions?


I'm leaning towards something about outsourcing the production of American goods (clothing, shoes, electronics, furniture, etc.)