St. Louis poised to lead reshoring of U.S. fashion and apparel industry

ST. LOUIS, March 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent article by the St. Louis Business Journal, St. Louis is on the leading edge of a national trend to re-shore apparel manufacturing jobs in the United States, attracting much-needed manufacturing investment and training skilled sewing talent.

"With the launch of the Fashion Fund a few years ago, the emphasis on the business of fashion and what St. Louis has to offer as a strong foundation, I expect to see our fashion industry grow and national awareness to intensify as we continue to expand," said Kathleen Bibbins, the Saint Louis Fashion Fund's new executive director.

Saint Louis Fashion Fund co-founder Susan Sherman said the fund's incubator, ongoing search for a high-tech apparel manufacturing facility, and request for proposals to transform Washington Avenue and restore its garment district will re-ignite the fashion industry in St. Louis.

"We have a fashion ecosystem, it's at least a multibillion-dollar industry and the St. Louis Fashion Fund is working hard to grow the industry right here in St. Louis," said Sherman. "St. Louis is a win-win location for investors in apparel manufacturing: There are talented people that need jobs in St. Louis and salaries are competitive."

According to a report issued by the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, domestic apparel manufacturing is on the rise. Furthermore, drastic changes in overseas manufacturing centers like China and Turkey have upended the conventional wisdom that manufacturing is cheaper overseas.

"We've had designers from all over the country move their businesses to St. Louis, and what they need to continue to grow and thrive is skilled manufacturing close by," said Sherman. "The demand is here to stay, now all we need is the supply."

CONTACT: Abigail Walls, Byrum & Fisk Communications, (517) 333-1606

SOURCE Saint Louis Fashion Fund