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American Fashion Designer Nanette Lepore on Ralph Lauren making the USA Olympic team’s uniforms in China rather than the U.S.
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Expressing outrage tonight over what teen USA will be wearing for the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics in London.
Take a look at these official photos courtesy of Ralph Lauren the official sponsor.
Looks pretty nice write the blazer the -- which members of US special forces are known for wearing.
But there's one big problem here -- these uniforms worn to represented USA.
Are made in China here's what some of -- from all across the country told us right outside our Fox Business studios.
So I can understand why people and sent everyone wants some product received by GAAP in this case they could as easily.
Open up a shot in the United States make this -- let this happen and then it would -- the controversy.
It's not really.
A true concern of mine but.
-- the -- -- -- yes I would like to see things be made in the US and benefit other people with jobs and entertainment -- -- days.
News about -- Are there American uniforms and they should be made in America slot people or he -- his sons and simple to China.
-- and a name that one US lawmaker calling for them to be -- -- away and top American fashion designer -- look for the net -- what you make of the story.
-- It's it's saddening it's a little shocking that it wasn't an automatic thing to just manufacture those uniforms in the United States because.
The capacity to do it and the facilities to make them are definitely here on our shores when you do -- 85% of your production is right here in this country.
Absolutely and I know that.
Every week we've been screening and trying to raise awareness to say that the New York City garment center for the last three years.
And an opportunity like this to bring work back and to -- jobs for so many people.
Would -- an outstanding platform in which to raise awareness about America will -- now we are raising awareness about American manufacturing.
But unfortunately.
It's a little bit you know too late.
Well in this case yesterday as we mentioned you're making your clothes here and of course New York -- long down.
As a center for manufacturing.
Let's have a little bit about some of the reaction here we talked to the US Olympic committee to find out what they had to say about this and they gave a statement.
Patrick -- actually from the committee told us this.
Unlike most Olympic teams around the world.
The US Olympic team is privately funded and we're grateful for the support of our sponsors were proud of our partnership with Ralph Lauren and iconic American company.
It's surprising to me though that Ralph Lauren wouldn't take it on its own shoulders.
To make these products in America does it surprise you.
It's saddening that it's just not within people's psyche to do what's ethically correct.
And I don't know who made the decision on -- Florence and that it not that it didn't matter but in the future I think that.
We should all take a lesson from this and trying to do what's right for our country first before we think about what's right for our profits.
Woman -- that raises the question is it really more expensive to get things made here but I think a lot of Americans even -- say well it's obvious why they do -- they can do it cheaper in China your response.
All OK so actually.
In my case with my company whenever I counter source things with New York to China.
It comes out so close to being almost the same that we eat it -- mean -- pay for us to do it in China so when he said for profits it was incorrect I think for them.
It's just that they're used to doing everything in China.
And we've been trying to get them more aware of making things in.
The states and so I mean.
It's just something that we are trying to raise awareness on and hopefully now awareness will be there we know what statistics show you make your close here right.
They're highly successful twenty years in the business here -- major designer.
Sherry you're a real true American success story -- -- 85000 dollars to start your company.
And it's grown like topsy sense then so mural living example of how this can work.
It's true and it and it's true and it's also true that.
Big companies can also do the same thing that I do big companies can be working in America.
And big companies can be working toward saving jobs and creating jobs absolutely you know I want to say that we contacted Ralph Lauren multiple times today.
Could not get a response from the company they're not talking.
But Harry Reid and the senate is here's what he had to say.
He -- -- Ralph Lauren should take Ali out let's put -- -- the big pile and burn them.
And start all over again we're getting dramatic response is not just from legislators looking for headlines from people all over the country about this issue.
You know it's not just Olympic clothing that should be made here in this country.
It's all clothing what can Americans when they're out shopping due to find out if they actually have a garment that's made here in this country.
-- right now the response to this on Twitter that we're seeing is amazing people really do think about it it's not.
As there are a lot of people who want to believe that people don't care where their clothing is made they just want to have it and they don't care.
But there is thought behind it and the American consumer is getting more and more aware.
And we should use this now as a platform.
To correct the wrongs and not to let this happen again it's a little extreme to burn the uniforms they're done.
We're gonna go ahead and Wear them it's unfortunate that we didn't use this opportunity to display American manufacturing just like American up by the says some.
But so now I think the consumers should.
Keep using their voices make sure they look at the labels where things are manufactured and let the people know where they're buying their clothing that they appreciate.
Made in USA products.
-- now report thanks for coming on the show tonight absolute pleasure to have you here thank you being.
