Russian Olympians Will Wear Uniforms Made By American Brand
American Olympians will wear Chinese made Uniforms in 2012.
Russian Olympians will wear American made Uniforms in 2014.
Russian Olympians will wear American made Uniforms in 2014.
The recent announcement that the Russian team will march into the 2014 Winter Olympics stadium in Sochi, Russia wearing uniforms made in the United States is a stark contrast to the flap caused by Ralph Lauren last week when it was discovered that the United States team will march into the 2012 Summer Olympics stadium in London, England wearing uniforms made in China. The Russian uniforms will be made in Los Angeles, California, by American Apparel in their 800,000 square foot manufacturing facility.
I think that the uniforms should have been made in the United States and share the feelings expressed in Women’s Wear Daily by Allen B. Schwartz, principal and creative director of A.B.S by Allen Schwartz–“it was a huge oversight when you are promoting the U.S.A at the Olympics.”
The USOC (US Olympic Committee) is funded privately, in contrast to the Russian Olympic Committee, which is government sponsored and subsidized. With 530 athletes representing the United States at the opening ceremony on July 27, it is reasonable to assume that the USOC made cost an important factor when ordering the snappy uniforms, designed by the quintessential U.S.A. brand, Ralph Lauren, but made in China. U.S. Congressmen and Senators have expressed dismay that the uniforms were made in China, leading Ralph Lauren to promise that in 2014 the uniforms will be made in the United States. Regarding the reaction in Washington, one observer suggested that if these same lawmakers were to look into the manufacturing source of the performance apparel and footwear the athletes wear during competition, they would find that most of the gear is made in China. Importing apparel and footwear from China is not new news in the U.S., it reflects trade policy and has been going on for decades.
A similar brouhaha has emerged in Spain. Spanish athletes will be wearing uniforms made in Russia despite the fact that both Inditex (owner of Zara) and Mango, two Spanish apparel companies, have excellent facilities located in Spain.
American Apparel is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and retailer of branded fashion and basic apparel. The company operates about 249 retail stores, an on-line e-commerce business, and a wholesale business selling t-shirts and casual wear to distributors and screen printers. Its stores are located in 20 countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China. In 2010-2011, American Apparel experienced a liquidity crisis forcing it to refinance some of its debt in order to avoid bankruptcy. The crisis was caused by funding its rapid expansion with debt followed by the negative effects of the recession on consumer spending. More recently, the company’s financial prospects have been on the mend. Dov Cheney, CEO of American Apparel, was quoted by the New York Post as saying that the “Russians did not want to wear anything that was made in China.”
I think that the uniforms should have been made in the United States and share the feelings expressed in Women’s Wear Daily by Allen B. Schwartz, principal and creative director of A.B.S by Allen Schwartz–“it was a huge oversight when you are promoting the U.S.A at the Olympics.”
The USOC (US Olympic Committee) is funded privately, in contrast to the Russian Olympic Committee, which is government sponsored and subsidized. With 530 athletes representing the United States at the opening ceremony on July 27, it is reasonable to assume that the USOC made cost an important factor when ordering the snappy uniforms, designed by the quintessential U.S.A. brand, Ralph Lauren, but made in China. U.S. Congressmen and Senators have expressed dismay that the uniforms were made in China, leading Ralph Lauren to promise that in 2014 the uniforms will be made in the United States. Regarding the reaction in Washington, one observer suggested that if these same lawmakers were to look into the manufacturing source of the performance apparel and footwear the athletes wear during competition, they would find that most of the gear is made in China. Importing apparel and footwear from China is not new news in the U.S., it reflects trade policy and has been going on for decades.
A similar brouhaha has emerged in Spain. Spanish athletes will be wearing uniforms made in Russia despite the fact that both Inditex (owner of Zara) and Mango, two Spanish apparel companies, have excellent facilities located in Spain.
American Apparel is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and retailer of branded fashion and basic apparel. The company operates about 249 retail stores, an on-line e-commerce business, and a wholesale business selling t-shirts and casual wear to distributors and screen printers. Its stores are located in 20 countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China. In 2010-2011, American Apparel experienced a liquidity crisis forcing it to refinance some of its debt in order to avoid bankruptcy. The crisis was caused by funding its rapid expansion with debt followed by the negative effects of the recession on consumer spending. More recently, the company’s financial prospects have been on the mend. Dov Cheney, CEO of American Apparel, was quoted by the New York Post as saying that the “Russians did not want to wear anything that was made in China.”
Walter Loeb’s original article in Forbes: The Olympic Apparel Sourcing Controversy
Have to call BS on this one : ” it is reasonable to assume that the USOC made cost an important factor when ordering the snappy uniforms ” Ralph Lauren had a “no bid” contract and was given a budget. It was his choice.. Not only that.. they “cost” over $1000 each.. if the contract had been bid or even sent out for quotes.. ANYONE could have done those terrible uniforms for that much.. They were over priced and made in china for pennies.. Wonder where the money went.. Oh yea.. In Ralph Laurens pockets.