Mister Freedom: The Diligent Raconteur

Jun 14, 2010

Raconteur, n: A storyteller, especially a person noted for telling stories with skill and wit; To make witty remarks or stories
Christophe Loiron of Mister Freedom

I was digging into Inventory Magazine's first issue, Fall/Winter 2009 and a particular answer from Mister Freedom himself, Christophe Loiron struck a chord with me the first time I read it several months back and stills rings in my head whenever I think about American style. I think shopping in America has become a daunting task to the average passerby in "middle America." There is a constant struggle between the consumer and the manufacturer on where style and genuine clothing truly lie. The effort to purchase quality items does not appeal to the masses, but mostly I believe most Americans are looking at fashion and the world fashion creates poorly. Here is an excerpt from the interview with Inventory and the vet vintagephile on the subject:

MFSC: Unfortunately quality manufacturing is a dying art in the US. The knowledge is here, the skilled people are, but off-shoring and cut margins have separated manufacturing businesses from profitable ones. Advertising have fooled consumers by sending messages like: "Buy this and you will be Steve McQueen (or whoever shakes you)" No, I think the big guys should devote a big part of their advertising budget on telling the truth: You don't need 10 pairs of jeans, just buy the ones you feel and look good in. Buy them from a company you trust, that doesn't employ children for $6.00 a week, from a place where employment regulations are known. All good things cost money and you can't have quality for dirt cheap without consequences.

People are pushed to own too many things, so of course they need to pay minimum for it. So the big garment makers find the loopholes and manufacture for peanuts in China and thrive on tiny margins and large quantities. Then huge crowds of hungry hipsters flock to H&M. But then hipster's dad looses his job to a firm in India...

Loiron's words should still be reverberating as we speak. The style guru hit the nail on the head, pointing out the true trouble of manufacturing clothes in America. His work and his line are special because he searches for the story that accompanies the clothes, not just the clothes you put on before you go to work every morning.

3 comments:

Tommy V.

Wow, some true words spoken here. You gotta respect a guy who makes his stuff in his own shop.

Malicious Mallory

That's so true.

Petter

Spot on!

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