WSJ article: Breaking a Taboo, High Fashion Starts Making Goods Overseas

[faust]

Originally Posted by castorpollux

If they could control the quality, which they don't always do, I wouldn't have a problem with it. Look what happened when BMW started making their SUVs in the United States. Serious quality issues...

What quality issues? I haven't heard of any major recalls

[renferme]

AFAIK, the luxury brands have been manufacturing in China for years. I've seen genuine Prada and Gucci over there as long ago as five years ago. As long as they 'finish' the goods in Italy no one need never know.

As for the quality - having worked in factories world-wide - China is now bewcomng a world leader in quality. I'm currently working in a cChinese factory that produces some designer collections - the quality is far superior than what I've seen elsewhere.

When it comes to quality - it matters more who set the factory up and how good the technologists and quality controllers are - not necessarily the location - but becasue the Chinese are shrewd business people they are recognising this and bringing in expertise from the rest of the world.

[noyely]

Sorry about jumping in a bit late but this is a subject of particular interest to me as I am conducting a study on European textile industry practices, specifically on the outsourcing of mens formalwear. Most luxury brands outsource to a large manufacturer who then outsources to other European production facilities or Eastern countries, North Africa or, of course, China. I am developping a mapping of each brands chosen production process and the eventual migratory practice to sub-outsourcing. If anyone has any specific information on European brands manufacturing practices, I would be very interested.

As an aside, if anyone is interested, The Economist develops the idea further that outsourcing of manufacturing is the sign of a healthy economy and that the doomsayers should instead turn their efforts to finding new business models rather than fearing for the loss of manufacturing jobs. Check out the link :
http://www.economist.com/displaystor...ory_id=4458528

Thanks in advance. noel_thevenet@noos.fr

[Caffeine]

Thanks noyely! Unfortunately I don't have more info. right now, but I'll share with you if I see any. Also thanks for the article, and what you said is totally true.

[jhaime]

first of all, fantastic read...However, I find myself mirroring Faust with this one...

Firstly, let's discard the quality issue here, the chinese are perfectionists...they are technically astute people...if they are shown how to make quality clothing...they will make quality clothing...that's that arguement out of the window straight away...

Secondly, does it matter where the clothing is made? yes

yes it matters if we are lied too...The egyptian labels are ripped out for europe where labelling laws are less strict...erm, am I the only one who would prefer far more informative labelling laws in Britain and for the rest of Europe...the Italians are cheating their own people, as well as their neighbouring countries...pathetic!

Stricter labelling laws and that handles that issue...it will bring the issue directly to the forefront of the industry...i've known about this issue as well as i'm sure you guys have, but there is a lot of people out there who don't understand the implications of what actually goes on in the industry as a whole...

for me persoanally, I care where it's made...if!!! they are going to charge the same price...I just forked out £265 for a pair of Dior sneaks...which had made in spain on the inside...this aggrivates me...call it snobby...but I love the connection and the sheer glamour behind the made in Italy tag...it's what makes it unique...special...However, it's a shame we don't even know where our clothing is made today...(even if it does have made in Italy inside)...

I also care if they're paying chinese workers next to nothing, in comparative to Italian workers...when they're doing the same work, to simply increase profits...

The fact is, if they are going to adopt this policy whereby they manufacture outisde of Italy, but retain their extortionate prices...we should Boycott...because without consumerism, they don't exist...why are we standing for being cheated...??? and most importantly...why do people not care???

Italy are going through the same problem that Britain has had with car manufacturers & numerious telecommunications companies...and if they think they will see light at the end of the tunnel...they are sadly mistaken

I don't want to turn this into a political debate...but the only decent thing Labour has done for Britain...is keep us looking in from the outside...on a shattered european union...

Italty are simply biting the hand that feeds them...

[Nader]

ah, the wonders of expendable labour...