The "Made in America" Movement - Manufacture New York

The newest in the “Made in America” movement is Manufacture New York, an emerging incubator-factory hybrid that helps local fashion designers manufacture their products in New York.  Founder Bob Bland is a designer who hopes to bring attention to the dying garment industry and fuel the movement for locally-made goods.  Bland likens the American-made movement to the locally-grown food movement, suggesting that as more consumers and manufacturers focus on local products, the garment industry will have a greater chance of survival in New York. Bland is partnering with fellow designer and co-founder Kaci Head; four other team members work on marketing and branding. In lieu of venture capital funding—which Bland hopes to avoid—Manufacture New York has begun a Kickstarter campaign. 

Manufacture New York will offer classes and mentorship for designers who want to make small batches of clothing locally.  Bland, who went to design school, says that while design students are assigned to mentors and get much-needed guidance while in school, they have few resources once they graduate.  She hopes to fill this void and make the local fashion industry a community-oriented effort.   Forty-two designers have signed on to be a part of the incubator since its inception this summer.