Do You Think It's Fair That Designer Label Items Are Made Mainly In SweatShops?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
July 1, 2008 9:10pm CST
Many of you are aware that I started a discussion about "If You Had The Money, Would You Buy This?" It was particularly aimed about that Rolex watch that sells for a whopping $250,000 ...just for one friggin watch...LOL
Now perhaps many some of us wouldn't mind maybe having the bucks to buy a few designer labeled clothing...the Armani, Gucci, Prada, Versace, Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves St. Laurent..and on and on....but lets think some reasoning here.
Did you know for instance, that most of those designer labels are made under sweatshops conditions and of course, not in the country of origin where the designer clothes are from?Years and years ago, I got myself a pair of Calvin Klein jeans...my ONE and only designer labeled garment....I got it at a literal steal, since the jean shop was going out of business....the list price of those jeans were clearly on the jeans and they were $85.00...now here I am a Levi's or Wrangler gal for jeans at about $25.00 and under normal circumstances wouldn't get a designer pair...but like I said the jean shop was going out of business and I was able to buy that $85 pair of jeans for a mere...drumroll please...$5.00...yup ...but here's the rub...Calvin Klein is an American designer, yet the jeans were "assembled in Mexico"--NOT in America.
Almost all designer clothes ARE "assembled" in foreign countries and under sweatshop conditions...that means some poor slob is busting their assets assembling and sewing those clothes and getting pennies for their labor, while the rub is, they are then sold for hundreds if not thousands more than maybe they are actually worth...why??..why gee, just because it has some fancy smanchy designer name on it.
Here's one article I found about this and it seems to target the Italian fashion designers in particular like Prada.
http://www.ethicalshopping.com/clothing-accessories/clothes/just-because-its-designer-doesnt-mean-its-sweatshop-free.html
I mean I don't know about you, but I would think it's a real kick in the butt, that people go ga-ga about designer clothing just because it has a "name" on it, and these clothes are made in sweatshop conditions and/or in foreign countries other than the country of origin. And to my mind it contributes TO the sweatshop conditions due to the demand for these clothes.
So just how many of you were aware that these "wonderful" expensive designer clothes were made under sweatshop conditions and not necessarily in the country of origin for the designer clothes?? Does this make you re-evaluate the designer label hype?
2 people like this
18 responses
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
2 Jul 08
I know all about these so-called 'designer' labels on clothes and won't buy them. Not only because they are made in sweatshops but can't afford the price. Like you, give me Levis or Wranglers any day. Better yet, have them custom made by a local tailor.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
4 Jul 08
Still, they are far better that designer jeans. Name one designer jean that can outlast our faves?
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Jul 08
Well I certainly can testify that my Calvin Klein jeans that I got for a mere $5 at that jeans shop didn't last well....I have rips on them and haven't had them all that long....but hey!! I'm in fashion! That's the style to have ripped jeans....hehee. I have another pair of jeans...Mustangs...not one rip on them and even older than my Calvin Klein's
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
To be honest a price of Levi's or Wrangler's ain't cheap anymore...remember the days you could actually get a good pair of jeans for about $5.99??
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
3 Jul 08
I think that they are very loose with the term "sweat shop" here.
Just because the Chinese are happy to make $5.00 an hour does not make it a sweat shop.
Companies go in Asia, Eastern Europe and Mexico... because the standard of living is cheaper in those countries and the wages are lower.
A large part of our electronic equipment is made in Asia... from light bulbs to computers, DVDs and Televisions. That does not mean that they are made in sweat shops.
Sweat shops are usually associated with piracy. And they are plenty of those in Asia. They steal label clothes designs and many other things. You can buy a movie on DVD in China for $2.00. And Hollywood is screaming blue murder as they have no authority in China.
1 person likes this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
4 Jul 08
Most of the electronic circuits like motherboards...etc... are actually made by robots.
It is only assembled by people.
I doubt that chinese prisoners... or any prisoner... would have enough brain to work in electronics... unless they are educated people jailed for tax fraud or similar.
In any case... you cannot ask anyone to do anything without training him first to do the job. That said... communist countries like China had a lot of educated political prisoners. Maybe it was those who were put to work.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
One thing I heard years ago, and I don't know if it still holds true, but many of our electronics made in China are actually made by prisoners in Chinese prisons....gee do they get paid anything?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Jul 08
That's what I meant...a lot of the work is done by the political prisoners in China
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
3 Jul 08
it is no different than any other business, when business can farm work out for cheaper than in their country of origin to make big profit they do,
who said business was ethical? They are out to make money.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
4 Jul 08
I know the farmers here in quebec and ontario can't get Canadians, they don't want to do the back breaking work so they have to get people from other countries like Jamaica that come up on a working visa get free room and board, and salary, work all summer and go back home.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
It's the same principles with immigrant workers in fields. So many people are up in arms against illegals picking crops saying they are taking jobs away from Americans...like WHAT? Like come on, the average American wouldn't even want that kind of work...as far as the farmers...if they have the option of paying top dollar/minimum wage for Citizens versus illegals that will work for pennies, who do you think wins out here? I used to feel sorry for the workers that were in a building just around the block from me..it WAS a sweatshop and the conditions were horrible..thank goodness they closed it down
1 person likes this
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
5 Jul 08
I think it's a shame for others to take advantage of children and people that need a job so badly. I won't buy them if I know this is how they are made. If a company practices this type of thing they should be fined and go to jail as well as be forced to pay back wages to the people that work for them. Just fining them is not enough, whenthey will continue to use this type of labor.
If they had to pay decent back wages to the people that work and have worked for them then I believe this would deter this type of behavior. If the main people go to jail there will still be others there to run the compnay. Shutting it down will cut people out of jobs, so making the company pay them what they are worth would really be the thing to do.
1 person likes this
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
6 Jul 08
Hi Pye, I didn't know that it was her clothes. I remember hearing something about some clothes. I didn't know whos it was.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jul 08
Unfortunately most clothes period are made in sweatshops...remember the fuss some years ago made by Kathy Lee Gifford who discovered her line of clothes sold in KMart was made by workers in sweatshops? And she's not even a top, top designer of clothes
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
4 Jul 08
Fist of all I do not like most designer products. I do like coach purses but cannot afforded even one of them. I do have a coach clutch purse because it was bought for me as a gift.
I cannot understand why people have to be so greedy to hire people to work in sweat shop conditions. I wish people would realize what they are buying and not buy the products to show the designers and manufactures we will not stand for these working conditions any longer.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Jul 08
Unfortunately most clothing whether designer or not are made in sweatshops--remember that thing some years ago when Kathy Lee Gifford discovered her line of clothes sold in K-Mart (or wherever) were made by sweatshops?
1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
6 Jul 08
I guess my head has been in the sand to this problem I thought with Kathy Lee Giffard's problem and Niki's problem we did not use child sweat shops anymore. I guess I am wrong.
@littleowl (7157)
•
2 Jul 08
Hi Pye-there was a documentary on Primark about the clothes they sell and that most come from India where even 7yr old children are taught to sew and make clothes-they sewing etc is absolutely amazing and there are so many clothes that are distributed to different companys and they make a wacking great profit out of selling the clothes while the people in India get paid a pittance for their hard word-I think it is totally disgusting how shops can use other countrys especially children to make clothes for them and they don't get any profit or credit for it-your firend bb littleowl
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
That's probably an epidemic... I just bet most of the clothes made in China are also made by very young children as well...it's slave labor if you ask me
@littleowl (7157)
•
4 Jul 08
The documentary that I saw about it is now being looked into as they secretly filmed children sewing the clothes as early as 7yrs old and some of them even fell asleep where they were working til the following morning-it is slave labour but the one good thing is it is all now being investigated into and something will be done about it-bb littleowl
1 person likes this
•
29 Feb 12
I've been searching to find specific luxury items that have been made in a sweatshop, for example a prada bag...I was just wondering if anyone know any specific luxury garments or bags that have been made in a sweatshop?
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
2 Jul 08
I will start making my own clothes. Gap and Old Nave are made in Saipan.
"The island of Saipan is part of a U.S. Commonwealth, located in the Pacific, near Guam and the Phillipines. Because of this, clothes made there can carry the "Made in the U.S.A" label, although that's just a technicality. These clothes can also come into the U.S. tariff-free and quota-free, to highly-profitable U.S. markets. What Saipan doesn't have, though, is coverage by U.S. labor laws, or U.S. immigration laws, which makes this something like heaven to the garment industry, who have set up massive sweatshops and reaped huge profits. Clothes made there include Tommy Hilfiger USA, Gap (which includes Old Navy and Banana Republic), Calvin Klein and Liz Claiborne."
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
Holy crap, I didn't know that. Yikes I'm really surprised about the Gap and Banana Republic angle...and for shame on Hilfinger and Klein
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
2 Jul 08
some wheree on the news but I myself have neer bought any designer clothes wehn I try them on they dont fit right.
also the sizes are so funny that no way can I wear them.
ANd probably the clothes I have on now was made in a sweatshop but they fit and didnt cost an arm and a leg to buy
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
To be honest, I think all clothing is usually made in sweatshops. There used to be a sweatshop factory right around the block from me, and I felt so sorry for the people working there...they had no ventilation of any kind to work in
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
6 Jul 08
I think people have more money than brains when they spend those exhorbatant amounts of money on designer stuff. You can get a VERY good quality handbag for about 100, but, if you want to show everyone how "special" you are to have a Prada or Gucci bag, you're nutso. I can buy a whole wardrobe for 1600. LIke I said, more money than brains.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jul 08
Heck I could buy a great "entertainment" package for $1,600...nice widescreen TV..stereo...the works..that's more up my alley since I'm not a clothes fanatic to begin with...
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
2 Jul 08
Hi pyewacket! I am completely aware of such facts my friend. Actually here in my country, there are those existing sweatshops. Of course, they are paid less than their counterparts in other countries because the wages are based on the minimum wage in our country which is $10 per day. I just don't know if they have other incentives and benefits such as medical insurance and pension. But I am not sure if they have that since they are being commissioned to work on a contractual basis. Sad, isn't it?
Take care and God Bless!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
There actually used to be a sweatshop quite close to me...it was an old factory, no real ventilation for the workers to get fresh air, and in the summer time they must have been "melting" Thankfully they closed it down a few years ago.
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
4 Jul 08
Hi pye! That is very true. Ventilation has also been a problem and I know that there have been so many sweatshops like that still existing here in our country. However, our government is doing its best to check on all these factories but there are still those that are being unchecked and operate illegally. Unfortunately for some, these sweatshops can only be checked if an employee/worker of that factory will blow the whistle on them. But they don't since the people badly need the job and if they report their working conditions the government will be after the factory and the owner will just close the operation leaving so many people jobless. Owners of sweatshops will just transfer to another location instead of having to comply with the demands of the existing workers and the government. This has been a practice of a few factory owners most of the time.
Take care and God bless!
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
5 Jul 08
Nobody makes those kids work there they choose to so theycan help out there families. We are just fortunate enought over here for our kids to not have to do that. So we will never really understand what it is like over there.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jul 08
There are of course sweatshops here as well, maybe they don't use children, but we have them as well...there used to be a sweatshop right around the block from me....it was a fire trap, poor ventilation for the workers...thankfully they closed it down
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Jul 08
Well it's not just America...I mean Italian designer clothes are not made in Italy, french designer clothes aren't made in France...just not fair
@Gesusdid (1676)
• United States
2 Jul 08
ahh this is true i think when it comes to it its all about the money their trying to make off of profit , ofcourse the locals of their country arent going to work for 10 cents a day or something like that heck no !! so they go , and pack the factory to somewhere else and find people who would work for that much ..
1 person likes this
@blackmantra_x (2732)
• Philippines
3 Jul 08
good day. this should be aimed at those who can actually buy these things and people who actually have bought one. I think they don't care where it came from or how it came to be. To them as long as it is on the market then its legal never mind ethics. Many factors played into these things, for one the so called fashion industry where actor and actresses endorses these products on a frenzied media during events like the Oscars and the Grammy's and you can see and hear how they adored their clothes and describe how beautiful it is to be wear by them. They played on one of the weakest character of people "Vanity" and it works. You can see the interview on the designers and the likes but forgetting to mention where the products came from and who made them. I think they ought to let the people know that in every endorsement of their products.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
Well unfortunately, it's not just the designer clothes made in sweatshop conditions, but nearly all clothes are, but you would think the designer labels would have more ethics and not resort to this kind of "slave" labor.
@lyzabelle (1668)
• Philippines
5 Jul 08
Designers clothes? Nah...I can't afford them. Disturbing to know that they sell high price and the employee are not rightfully compensated. Shame on them.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jul 08
Yes, it is disturbing to know most designer places use sweatshops for their clothing that's made
@momathome (474)
• Canada
2 Jul 08
That is terrible that people have to work in such bad conditions for such little pay but the fact is that is what they have to do to survive. I would never be able to afford a pair of designer jeans and would not buy them if I could afford them either. The people that work so hard to put them together for sure deserve to be paid more but the harsh realty is, this is how the world works the rich get richer and poor get poorer. Everyone does what they have to do to survive in this messed up world!!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
And when you think of it, when people buy designer clothes they are contributing to the sweatshop trade by keeping them in business.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Jul 08
I don't think it's right either...these designers have made their fortune because of their "name" and they profit from the hard labor of workers that get next to nothing in wages
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
2 Jul 08
Hello pyewacket,
I have never bougth any designer cloths, simpley I couldn't afford them I think it is so sinful for people to so much mone on clothing. I buy my clothes in charity and in supermarkets where they sell clothes. My frends youngsters always used to worry my frend to buy them designer clothes, I often tell them who makes them, but they don't care, they have to have what others have, bear in mine my freind couln't them as well and she gets tantrums. I really do not understand logic of having such expensive items, is just a statis symbols?
Blessings
Tamarafire
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
Unfortunately people are so impressed with labels..don't you think? to me clothes are clothes no matter who makes them
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
2 Jul 08
Hello pyewacket,
I have never gone for designer labels clothing,simpley I couldn't afford it, its just a label. Then ofcourse it the sweat-shop. I buy my clothes at Q&S and tesco its just as good,I also buy from charity shops. I know some youngsters won't wear anything but designer labels clothes. I think it appalling.
Blessings
Tamarafireheart.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 08
They probably do the same thing as the "electronics" trade. Say Sony manufactures TVs...one half has the Sony label on it, the other a generic store brand..but it's the SAME thing...except for the price..so can't help wonder if this happens with clothes as well...one half of the manufactured clothes are with the designer label another a cheapie label...
