Stock x Made Chambray Shirt

A SHORT HISTORY

First developed in France, Chambray’s good looks and durability soon made it an American classic.  In fact, it was standard issue for U.S. Navy uniforms from 1901 through World War II. But as American as Chambray shirts are, it’s hard to find any that are American made.  Enter our friends at Stock Mfg. Co. Stock’s 45-year-old factory, on the west side of Chicago, is a mil-spec certified facility, meaning that they pay the same attention to detail and quality required for making U.S. military gear. The Stock x Made Chambray Shirt features double chest pockets, a collar that buttons down, white contrast stitching, a box-pleated back, fat-felled seams throughout, and tortoise shell buttons. If you need to roll up your sleeves and get things done, and you want to look good doing it, there’s no better shirt on earth.  

PARTICIPATION FROM THE MADE IN USA COMMUNITY:

Back in April, we asked you if you’d rather us make a Chambray Button-Down Shirt or an Oxford Button-Down Shirt. Here are the results:

So we got to work. After collaborating with Stock Mfg. Co. on the design, we gave you another choice: tortoise shell or wooden buttons. 

PRE-ORDERING TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER.

We expect to ship our small, first run of the shirts in November 2013. Stay tuned to www.madecollection.com to be the first to have one, as pre-ordering will open in mid-October. 

ABOUT STOCK MFG.

Stock Mfg. Co. aims to be a hub for American manufacturing, quality craftsmanship, and innovative collaboration. They make premium American-made clothing and accessories out of their 45-year-old factory on the west side of Chicago, while fostering an environment of collaboration and transparency second to none in the garment industry. They collaborate with the most exciting talent in fashion, and then they let the public decide what gets made. As a mil-spec-certified facility, Stock’s attention to detail and quality is so high it meets the standards required for making US Military gear. They are committed not just to producing quality products in America, but also to creating jobs and influencing the fashion world in a positive way.

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Toyo Tire to add 400 jobs in White, Georgia

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Photo from Rome News-Tribune, courtesy of Georgia Quickstart

Japan-based Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. is creating about 400 jobs in White, Georgia by 2015. The company is investing $210 million to expand its capabilities in the U.S. due to rising demand. 

“We’re not chasing volume; we’re anticipating additional growth with our current customers and to match their needs,” said James L. Hawk, president of Toyo Tire North American Manufacturing.  

The facility in White is 9 years old, and this will be the fourth expansion to take place there. It currently employs 770 workers.

Read the full article on RubberNews.com, written by Mike McNulty

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www.madecollection.com: Where America Shops for American Made. 

Assembled-in-USA Smartphone Now Available for Purchase

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You can now purchase the AT&T Motorola Moto X, which is the first smartphone to be assembled in the USA. The parts are made in China, Singapore and Taiwan, so the phone is not “Made in the USA,” but rather “Assembled in the USA.”

Click here to read more about the difference between Made in USA & Assembled in USA.

The Moto X was designed under Google’s supervision, and it sells for $199 (or $249 with a 2-year contract). Only those devices sold in America are assembled in the USA.

Read about the features and selling points of the Moto X.

Source: NVO News

Awesome Kickstarter: Loup Kids Clothing

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Check out this Kickstarter for Loup Kids, a Made-in-NYC kids’ clothing company.

The brand is expanding, and it needs a little help from its friends to launch at the ENK 2014 Spring Trade Show. 

Here’s why we think they’re awesome:

1. Made locally in NYC. Loup Kids iscreating a sustainable, made-in-USA business that invests in both our kids and the economy.

2. Hand Illustrations. The designs use organic cotton, water based dyes & feature founder Yulia Laricheva’s hand illustrations. She loves creating comfortable clothes for kids to play in. 

3. Woman owned business. After 10 years of working in NY as an Interactive Art Director in advertising, Yulia was ready to launch her own brand.

4. Loup = wolf in French. The logo is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It represents the good/mischievous duality that exists in adults & kids alike. 

Survey: Best Made-in-America Brand

Piers Fawkes, founder of PSFK.com, wants YOU to help identify the best American brands.

“We are not looking for that soda or beer or fast food brand that has spent too many marketing dollars waving flags; we’re looking for that company that has set itself apart not through advertising spend but for many years by delivering a great Made-in-America product that sets itself apart from the competition.”

PARTICIPATE IN THE SUVERY! Click here to submit your answers.

Read full article from PSFK.

Apple CEO Tim Cook says a line of Macs will be built in Texas
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At a recent Senate subcommittee hearing, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “The product will be assembled in Texas…Illinois and Florida…Kentucky and Michigan.”  Dare we exclaim a triumphant OMG? We do, because while Apple may not be moving all production back to home turf just yet, their newly re-shored laptop line is a huge step forward for the America-made movement.  Manufacturing starts later this year.  Read the full story here.

Collection spotlight: 2ETN

2ETN Bone Snake Necklace, featured in Made Collection’s “Explore America” sale

Inspired by the belief that precious stones and metals are not the sole elements from which jewelry should derive its value, husband and wife team, Pamela Tuohy and Edward Novinsky, created 2ETN. They create one-of-a-kind pieces in the spirit of American portraiture and mourning miniatures of the 1700’s and 1800’s using original art in acrylic, oil and graphite. Their art is framed in unique, found period antiques, reclaimed metals, and ethically sourced stones, creating a dark but beautiful vintage romanticism in their pieces. 2ETN lives in Sacramento, California.

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Explore America with Refueled’s Chris Brown

Chris Brown, creative director / publisher of Refueled, a multimedia company based in Dallas that specializes in publishing, design and film. Made has teamed up with Chris for our first ever guest-curated Collection, “Explore America." 

When did you realize you had such great f*cking taste?

Taste is in the eye of the beholder, to re-coin a phase. I definitely know what I like. In the end I simply share, through Refueled, what I’m personally in to. It’s always cool to be able to inspire others to check out things, music, locations & goods I dig.

Is Made In USA bigger than "style?” Can it survive as Americana or does it need to encompass more?

Although my goal is “Made in the U.S.A.”, it’s really about supporting great folks who make great products. Whether in the U.S. or overseas, I tend to be drawn to independent designers/makers. I’ve got friends who make incredible products here in the U.S., but I also have friends in Japan crafting amazing things. Quality is key.

How do you go about finding all the amazing talent / products you discover?

My small creative circle of friends consist of designers, artists, musicians, hoteliers, makers, bikers, surfers, photographers, hot-rodders, dreamers, hippies, adventurers, etc., so there is an unlimited resource of great stuff, ideas and inspiration at my fingertips. If I’m not out on the road actually searching and discovering on my own, I receive emails everyday from folks introducing me to what they’re doing.

Do you ever meet the people who actually make the stuff? If so, does it personalize things?

I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet a lot of the amazing people that appear in the pages of Refueled. When I do meet the face behind the products, it goes beyond the intangible. The best part about what I do is connecting, collaborating & contributing to a community.

What are some of your favorite American places / adventures?

Exploring America never ends for me. Any time I can get a few friends together, throw some gear in the Jeep and head out on a new adventure, I’m there. The West Coast always says surf to me. I recharge and come up with a lot of great content in the desert - Joshua Tree in California and Marfa, Texas being among my favorite spots. I dig the South for music and BBQ. The East is for people watching.

What are you going to be for Halloween?

Methadone Sea Captain. [For the record, we have no idea what this means. Which is why we’re currently looking at flights to Texas for the Halloween party.]

Collection spotlight: Alabama Chanin

Alabama Chanin Dress, featured in Made Collection’s “Explore America” sale

One night in New York City, Natalie Chanin found herself holed up in the Chelsea Hotel with nothing amazing to wear to a party. So she decided to make something herself, and Alabama Chanin was born. With a focus on sustainability and organic, recycled materials, Alabama Chanin makes limited edition, hand-stitched pieces that capture the languid glamour of the South. The talented local artisans that comprise Alabama Chanin make unique house-wares and gorgeous couture clothing in the American Gothic style out of Florence, Alabama.

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Collection spotlight: Strawfoot Handmade

Strawfoot Handmade Waxed Canvas Haversack, featured in Made Collection’s “Explore America” sale

Growing up on a farm, Garrett Kautz of Strawfoot Handmade learned to use his hands, but it wasn’t until later in life that he discovered how to use a sewing machine. After receiving a sewing machine as a wedding present, Garrett Kautz developed a desire to make unique and durable products from the highest quality, American-made materials available. He uses primarily waxed canvas and leather to hand make beautiful, long lasting bags inspired by the styles and designs if the early 1900’s. Strawfoot Handmade is from Santa Cruz, California.

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