I feel it incumbent upon me, with all of the factory videos floating around in the world, to create the Fuck Yeah Made in USA Tumblr. A few of the most recent additions to the world of footwear factories are below in all of their 5D glory! I’m sure I am missing a bunch of stuff here, so submit your favorites in the comments below. [Fuck Yeah Made in USA]
Fuck Yeah Made in USA
sinuhe
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 1:31 AM:
The Stronghold is my obviously biased favorite…
http://vimeo.com/19364768
Ché
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 1:31 AM:
Esquivel Shoes (Made in California): http://www.vimeo.com/11150577
Strawfoot Handmade (Made in California): http://www.vimeo.com/23565242
Kevin
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 10:33 AM:
very cool post. not sure if you’ve seen this yet or not. pretty fascinating look into how a Steinway piano is made. Some great characters: http://www.notebynotethemovie.com/
Kevin
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 10:44 AM:
I’m a drummer, so here’s a few links to stuff that is made in the US:
Evans Drumheads:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWuRT-vh43w
Zildjian Cymbals:
http://zildjian.com/Videos/Factory-Tour#/v/mJC3gSHtaL8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VUBV08AdUc&feature=player_embedded
Ludwig Drums (old school vids):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZdpHb8lwqE&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hUeGnbXFlc&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGn004bXp20&feature=relmfu
ok, im done :-)
Matt P
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 11:36 AM:
Nice. Looking forward to watching all these videos. Keep up the good work.
Paul
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 12:17 PM:
Shameless plug for my small factory/workshop:
http://vimeo.com/24579798
and
http://alreadytv.com/tv/
Thank you!
Patrick
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 12:35 PM:
Danners whole “Standards” video series.
http://standards.danner.com/
Jared Shepard
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 12:46 PM:
Granted it’s not in the same ranks as some of these heritage brands, but Lincoln Supply makes great t’s and cotton items all made in the US. http://vimeo.com/21508040
Robert Hohne
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 2:09 PM:
Great videos. Looking forward to the tumblr. I’m not exactly sure why these videos would be any less inspiring had they been shot at shops in Canada or Mexico or Norway.
MOA
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 2:25 PM:
Great idea! Any chance you can turn the “follow” function on?
Keep up the great work, Michael.
-MOA
Ray Hull
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 3:43 PM:
Let’s not overlook the western front: ElPaso and the US cowboy boot industry centered there: Lucchese, JB Hill, Stallion, Tres Outlaws, Rocketbusters and some others, but these are the handmade, high-end makers, all featuring gorgeous custom design and made-to-measure works of art.
http://www.lucchese.com/history.php
http://www.jbhilltexas.com/index.html
http://www.stallionboots.com/boots-thumbs.html
http://www.falconhead.com/index_site.php
http://www.rocketbuster.com/index.htm
Giddyap!
Ray Hull
Max
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 4:05 PM:
Soulcraft cycles
http://vimeo.com/18969652
A. Frankel
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 4:30 PM:
Nice idea sir. Roy Denim has a pretty rad one here: http://vimeo.com/16075230
Sean Sculley
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 4:39 PM:
Wonderful and moving.
An invaluable record.
Nice to see such fine people making things with care and consideration.
Thanks
Dave
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 5:36 PM:
Great idea, good job
john
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 8:55 PM:
aren’t wolverine boots made in rockford, michigan? not wisconsin as stated here…
KENYAN
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 9:22 PM:
Vintage Inspired Signage….. Made right here in the USA.
Luv this post by the way MW…!
Whitley Weller
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 11:42 PM:
That Mr. Williams is some “Important Shit”. Well done sir.
CSP
on Sep 7th, 2011
@ 11:56 PM:
I know Red Wing is a client of yours, but Thorogood also makes their boots and shoes in U.S. (in Wisconsin since 1892). I just bought a pair, and they’re so soft and comfortable right out of the box.
Mark L
on Sep 8th, 2011
@ 11:04 AM:
Mast Bros–http://vimeo.com/13664547
Billykirk–http://vimeo.com/7446963
RJ
on Sep 8th, 2011
@ 12:55 PM:
New Balance
christopheraugust
on Sep 8th, 2011
@ 1:45 PM:
Brooklyn Circus
http://vimeo.com/27776361
The Ambassador
on Sep 8th, 2011
@ 10:25 PM:
Not to make the process any less interesting or appealing, but any idea what the factory workers’ benefits are like? Health insurance, retirement…probably non-existent. Hand-made, US made, is all cute and stuff, but who/what are we paying for? Just a thought.
Jonathan
on Sep 9th, 2011
@ 10:42 AM:
This whole “I buy Made in USA because it must be better” thing is kind of stupid (and probably racist). Humans are humans, and if they make something with passion and love, and provide for their families – I couldn’t care less if they’re European, American, Asian, African or whatever. Celebrating Americana and seeing amazing American artisans is fascinating and awesome, but it doesn’t mean Americans are a better “race” of manufacturers just because they are American.
And by the way, there are still sweatshop-like factories in New York City (garment district). That’s not something to celebrate.
sinuhe
on Sep 9th, 2011
@ 9:30 PM:
Lot’s of great films in here.
@Jonathan you just don’t get it. It’s not about how it’s made or what race makes it. It’s about supporting your community and your community will support you back.
vintageoddsandends
on Sep 10th, 2011
@ 5:03 PM:
West Coast Shoe Company (Wesco), best boots ever made:
Richard
on Sep 10th, 2011
@ 11:43 PM:
that dude Johnathan is a fool. ever been to China, seen the factories producing as cheaply as inhumanly possible crap quality items? I have. lots of passion and love there.
charlie
on Sep 11th, 2011
@ 7:53 PM:
Jonathan…..I have been making clothing in the USA for the last 30 years. 20 years ago there were many many factories in NYC. the garment center. At that time, most were Union.
You can almost count the factories in the garment center now on one hand…in the 60′s 90% of the clothing sold in the USA was made here. in the 70′s 75%..80′s about 30% so on…now…. less than 10%
There is a connection between unemployment and importing cheaply made products from China…and what richard said..ever been to China…Talk about sweat shops!
(don’t get me started on how china in polluting the earth…even more than us.)
Simon Tuntelder
on Sep 11th, 2011
@ 8:16 PM:
Great idea. A good source for inspiration!
Joshua
on Sep 11th, 2011
@ 10:04 PM:
Raleigh Denim
http://vimeo.com/18283217
http://vimeo.com/13517107
Joshua
on Sep 11th, 2011
@ 10:08 PM:
Sweet, you already had the second RD video! Cheers
BF
on Sep 12th, 2011
@ 12:58 AM:
Am I stupid, or is anyone else having trouble reblogging these tumblr posts?
brennan woods
on Sep 12th, 2011
@ 8:36 AM:
Fucking brilliant.
don d
on Sep 12th, 2011
@ 5:17 PM:
how could you forget imogene + Willie!
https://www.imogeneandwillie.com/story
Joshua
on Sep 12th, 2011
@ 8:54 PM:
I couldn’t resist this post:
I think you would be interested in looking at some furniture.
http://www.nakashimawoodworker.com/
Beautiful, gorgeous, woodworking designed originally by George Nakashima. It is what I’d describe as Asian, American, Modern in style.
http://www.leonardsdirect.com/pages/index.asp
They re-size antique four poster bed frames. They also do reproductions. Very cool stuff.
http://modernica.net/
Mid Century Modern, manufactured in LA, streamlined furniture that is well built.
Cheers to everyone,
J
Jonathan
on Sep 12th, 2011
@ 11:10 PM:
I’m know sweatshops in China are terrible. Of course! That’s not my point. I just say that people who think ‘Made in America’ is necessarily better than other countries are fools.
Shaun Garcia
on Sep 14th, 2011
@ 11:39 AM:
Great stuff out of Nashville TN
http://vimeo.com/7968657
Daisy
on Sep 16th, 2011
@ 11:52 AM:
This is such an awesome idea! #USAFTW
EJ in Philadelphia
on Sep 16th, 2011
@ 7:29 PM:
Jonathan, Here’s one argument for why a “Made in America” product can be better.
The people in Brunswick and Freeport, Maine who manufacturer the classic L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Boots actually wear the boots they make and have an appreciation for what works and doesn’t work when walking around in typical Maine conditions of rain, snow, and mud. There’s some degree of confidence and trust in knowing that the people who make these boots also wear these boots and would be among the first to know if there were improvements that could be made. Extensive product testing and product improvement within an immediate feedback loop. If you think these workers don’t have incredible pride in their work, a real sense that the iconic products they are making are going out into the world as representatives and ambassadors of Maine, think again. Although it’s not impossible, I have a difficult time believing that typical Chinese factory workers wear or use or would take the pride in maintaining and improving quality in the products they make as much as their Maine counterparts. Also, having a good idea what a Maine winter is like, I have some confidence that a boot made by Mainers to conquer Maine weather will certainly be good enough for a Philadelphian. That’s my argument for why where a product is made/manufactured is important.
O, and a decent L.L. Bean video of the boot factory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZmL8xZyipY
Kyle
on Sep 19th, 2011
@ 2:25 AM:
Seconding Mast Brothers chocolate. They’re brothers with beards. And they freaking love chocolate. And sailing.
http://mastbrothers.com/
http://devour.com/video/the-mast-brothers/
Seamus
on Sep 19th, 2011
@ 4:21 PM:
Come on, how could you not have Nokona on the American list!? These are some of the finest handmade, made-in-America, baseball mitts. They are a testiment to the glove making art!
http://vimeo.com/14498318
http://www.nokona.com/made-in-usa.php
Don
on Sep 20th, 2011
@ 1:05 PM:
Seriously, do we need the profanity? It’s not only vulgar, but juvenile as well. You are better than that.
ACL
on Sep 20th, 2011
@ 2:31 PM:
Hey Don,
Know your meme.
http://knowyourmeme.com/blog/interviews/qa-with-ned-hepburn-origin-of-f-yeah-tumblrs#.Tnjb3E9wmBw
Jane
on Sep 21st, 2011
@ 12:20 PM:
Rock on City of Red Wing.
Bruce B
on Sep 22nd, 2011
@ 10:15 PM:
Here’s the latest from Red Wing, about their Puritan sewing machines.
http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-video-puritan-stitch-machine
They don’t just hire Americans to make their boots, they employ a trio of mechanics just to keep those brilliant 100-year-old-machines running like the day they were made. And to the post that asked about wages and conditions in these factories, just take a look at those faces in the Red Wing films. There’s a reason for all the wrinkles: It’s a job for life that allows Americans to buy a home and raise a family.
Jane S
on Sep 22nd, 2011
@ 11:22 PM:
Thanks for having such a nice list. Where are all the women’s clothes? There seems to be plenty of things made in the US for guys but I saw very little for women other than jeans. Does anyone know where I can find some nice tailored clothes for women (that don’t look like they are made for old ladies)? Nice pants, button down shirts, sweaters, etc.
Nneka
on Sep 24th, 2011
@ 11:38 PM:
Love this post! Here are two more:
cydwoq shoes:
http://vimeo.com/12962765
calleen cordero shoes:
Nneka
on Sep 25th, 2011
@ 12:28 AM:
Yuketen:
http://vimeo.com/21385431
Kevin
on Sep 26th, 2011
@ 3:49 PM:
Forgot about Lyon & Healy harps. Made in Chicago, i pass the factory on the “L” everyday to and from work. Totally fun to look in the windows as i go by. There’s 3 vids here after the first paragraph: http://www.lyonhealy.com/about.htm
Alyssa
on Sep 29th, 2011
@ 3:11 PM:
Love to see all the American made products. Here’s another video for your list (Aurora Shoe Co. Made in rural, Upstate, NY using American materials):
http://www.aurorashoeco.com/products/howmade.html
Seanissey
on Oct 1st, 2011
@ 2:11 AM:
Filson still makes many of their items here state-side.
Videos were obviously made in relation to the vans collaboration but still give a cool look into the Filson factory especially in part 2 of the video series.
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=R7sqrPcZah8
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=BicK3nfF5SY
Patch
on Oct 4th, 2011
@ 12:44 PM:
Dusty Signs is nice and simple.
http://vimeo.com/29532876