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HMX Group President Joseph Abboud on the call for Team USA’s uniforms to be made in America.
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Ralph Lauren now saying that all -- -- uniforms -- -- Olympic athletes will be made here in America.
Well this comes after that huge uproar over the the company producing the uniforms over in China there's a look at that uniforms themselves our next guest brought into all this when his company Hickey Freeman.
Was asked maybe if they could produce the uniforms for the games this year they offered to do just that the famous designer.
And each -- next.
Chief creative design a dose of the Buddhist with us right now from Newton mass.
Mr.
-- very nice to see it today and thank you for coming on to -- all right do you indignant nice to see you you've got you offered to step in here right and then what happened.
Yeah I guess there's been this this groundswell of made in America and the really great piece of that is.
That we would be able to get close made fairly quickly but I think it's a little -- really unrealistic to think we can get this done in two or three weeks.
We'll all the fittings and all of the details to get to the athletes but I think the idea that -- America is so important is really I think the best thing that could happen.
Why is import I -- I -- -- in all seriousness did you make too much out of these uniforms being made in China.
And people are talking about -- we need to make a symbolic gesture makes -- in the US but.
With 300 billion dollar annual trade deficit from with China mean by a great deal of clothing made there and -- was accompanied before Ralph Lauren.
That made these uniforms and that company is based in Canada and may -- uniforms in Canada.
Well you know it's at fashion is such a mirror of society because made America is so important now.
I think the idea that we could actually make -- close is great but.
The athletes in the opening ceremony in my opinion are the ones that should be wearing made in America I understand the dynamics of sneakers not being made America.
Or some of the athletic Wear -- but I think for opening ceremony would have made -- It's but I have a question about what the cost this to get to -- it's -- yes some of these politicians and are outraged whether that was.
You know it was for real or not the Chinese actually in their official news agency -- just -- those American politicians hypocritical.
Today because I'm sure they have plenty of items that were made in China or made in other places.
How much does it cost you to make a jacket say or a piece of clothing here the United States -- would it be much cheaper to make it -- what is the actual cost factor.
For your business.
It it is significantly different that's sued for example made in America opening -- our factories would be around.
Eight or 900 dollars as an opening price point which -- goaded.
4500.
Dollars gotten out of Asia a garment could be two to 300 dollars a retail so.
It is a significant difference there really is a significant difference so what -- you -- I don't think and Ralph Florence and Ralph Lawrence case.
I don't really believe that it was a cost issue I think it was an oversight and why you make your things here that's a case -- people -- -- form.
Well no I think we have an incredible speed to market an amazing quality.
Heart -- -- -- which is celebrating its 125 anniversary this year.
-- uniforms for our soldiers in World War I in World War II there's an amazing tradition to tailored clothing made in America and we make it as well as anybody in the world.
And perhaps 30% less than what comes out of Italy but obviously more expensive than what comes out of Asia.
-- the US Olympic -- Joseph is a privately funded.
On these are private businesses.
And should the politicians just bought out because again and they start getting involved they're gonna try and legislate you know what happens.
Exactly I think there's a reality to this I think -- the fact that we are proud that we're making America is great.
But there is a reality to this about the ability to make products and yes of course you know the cars we drive the computers we use.
I wish everything were made America but that's a perfect world that we aren't there.
But in our segment will we make tailored clothing we do it as well as anybody in the world.
It's a good discussion Joseph a good one of the more famous fashion designers in the world we've gotten on from that great role -- plays -- Imus in the morning highways.
Close up close and personal almost every day about working -- every day are fantastic.
I must say that all of us now a couple guys thank you -- It's great to -- you guys have -- in Brazil next time.
