The Rise of Fast Fashion and How One Couple is Fighting Back
Over the past few years, the fashion industry has witnessed an alarming surge in fast fashion. This trend involves quickly changing fashion trends and the production of clothing using synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels, which have a detrimental impact on the environment.
Introducing City Threads: A Sustainable Children’s Apparel Brand
In response to this concerning trend, Joe Willis and Shayna Samuel, a Jewish couple, have taken a stand. They founded City Threads, a sustainable children’s apparel brand that focuses on selling locally-produced clothing made in Los Angeles. The couple’s deep connection to their hometown and their shared values inspired them to make a difference in the fashion industry.
“If apparel brands don’t continue to invest in and partner with this ecosystem, the possibility to build a Made-in-USA clothing brand will eventually go away.” – Joe Willis
Joe Willis emphasizes the importance of investing in and partnering with the local clothing manufacturing ecosystem in Los Angeles. He believes that without such support, the opportunity to build a successful Made-in-USA clothing brand will vanish.
Maintaining a Local Focus
Joe further explains that Los Angeles boasts a robust ecosystem of clothing manufacturers, dyers, cutters, sample makers, pattern makers, and trim shops. By keeping their production local, City Threads not only contributes to the preservation of this ecosystem but also ensures the quality and integrity of their products.
City Threads offers a wide range of children’s clothing, including tops, bottoms, dresses, skirts, leggings, hats, and sensory-friendly garments. All their products are made with 100% cotton fabric, ensuring comfort and sustainability.
The Passion and Heritage Behind City Threads
Shayna Samuel shares the couple’s motivation for starting City Threads. Both Joe and Shayna come from European-Jewish backgrounds and have a rich family history in the Los Angeles fashion industry. Shayna’s grandmother, Dolores Freedman, worked as a clothing sales representative and owned a children’s clothing store. Joe’s grandfathers also had connections to the fashion industry, with one managing a shoe factory and the other working as a garment cutter in LA’s fashion district.
The couple’s journey to launching City Threads started during their time at UC Santa Cruz, where they began dating. Shayna’s idea for a sustainable children’s apparel brand took shape while she was working as a nanny. Joe recognized the business’s potential and dedicated himself to supporting Shayna full-time, ultimately becoming an integral part of City Threads.
A Commitment to Ethical Production
Despite temptations from other manufacturers to outsource production overseas, Joe and Shayna remained steadfast in their decision to keep manufacturing local. They believed that being physically present during every step of the production process was crucial to ensuring impeccable quality and standing behind their products with confidence.
Moreover, manufacturing locally provided City Threads with faster turnaround times, as opposed to the lengthy production process associated with overseas manufacturing.
Guided by Jewish Values
Joe and Shayna attribute their success to their Jewish values, which emphasize the well-being of others and treating everyone involved in their business with respect. They take pride in maintaining a trusted staff and team of local manufacturers, as well as nurturing long-term relationships with loyal customers.
After 23 years of marriage and raising their own children while wearing City Threads clothing, Joe and Shayna remain passionate about their dedication to sustainable, locally-produced fashion. City Threads serves not only as a testament to their love for their craft but also as a shining example of how ethical fashion can thrive in a fast-paced industry.