In our recent series on local garment production in six European countries - Spain, the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and France – FashionUnited shed light on the production possibilities within our own backyard. We posed the question if the fashion sector still has the knowledge
and technological possibilities for local production and if we can still make jeans, produce bags and purses and knit sweaters in Europe. The answer to these questions is a clear ‘yes, but…’, which we’ll explain in this summary.
Local production has many advantages: the proximity to key markets, for example, and the resulting savings through lower transportation, shipping and handling costs. The transparency in terms of place of origin of the product also increases, coupled with higher quality due to local know-how. This in turn increases the product’s life span and brand value. In addition, emphasis on environmentally friendly products and production processes (often using renewable resources), the creation of jobs at home and producing under healthy and safe conditions speak for locally produced goods and increase national pride while at the same time producing a strong export product.
Creating strong export products at home
No wonder then that in all six countries, there is a strong trend toward locally produced goods. Spain for example boasts 135,000 textile workers who produce anything from children’s clothing, bathing suits, handbags and footwear. In the UK, 13 leather companies and 30 tanneries produce leather goods that bank on tradition, craftsmanship and quality.