photo credit: fashionxochil

Hosts: Melissa Lynn Oddo (deMelis Atelier & Stitched Collective) Matthew Banever (Bards Clothing)

Summary:

Fashion designer, product developer, and pattern maker Xochil Herrera Scheer joins Melissa and Matt for an energetic and heartfelt conversation on the future of American manufacturing. They dig into the cultural narratives, real challenges, and everyday decisions that can help shift consumer habits and bring ethical production back into focus. From why Walmart collaborations to gatekeeping factories hurts the industry, Xochil lays it out with transparency, optimism, and a touch of humor.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why U.S.-made fashion still matters (and what’s holding it back)
• The truth about factory transparency and ethical supply chains
• How individual habits influence systemic industry change

Takeaways:

• Even a small increase in domestic production (from 3% to 5%) would be transformative
• Ethical manufacturing should be the baseline—no matter the country
• Sharing, collaboration, and storytelling grow the movement more than secrecy ever could

Links:

• The Chicago Pattern Maker -The Chicago Pattern Maker builds products with experienced, professional product development services to serve brands and designers across the country.
• CLO 3D – Changing the world with virtual garments
• Browzwear – Rapid Apparel Development, With Unparalleled Precision.
• SEAMS Association – Our combined Voice of the U.S. Sewn Products Industry consists of more than 200 of America’s foremost fashion brands, retailers, manufacturers and textile providers.
• Rachel Slade – Author of Making It in America
• Lou Malnati’s Pizza – Flaky, buttery pizza crust, an exclusive sausage blend, vine ripened plum tomatoes from California, and Wisconsin cheese.
• RPM Steak – Located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, RPM Steak is an updated take on the classic steakhouse and features nearly two dozen different cuts of beef.
• Osteria Via Stato – Led by Chef David DiGregorio, Osteria Via Stato features a menu of local and seasonally-driven Roman-style pizzas, antipasti, pastas and Italian specialties.
• Oxford Pennant – Proudly Made in Buffalo, NY — Whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone else, we have something for everybody!