Kitsbow gear is made by people, not machines, and never by labor that’s exploited. Our gear is made by individuals re-inventing the manufacturing of premium attire in America as a workforce exercise, combining their artisan abilities with team-oriented problem-solving and product creation. That is the story of one in every of our staff, Dave.
Dave has been working at Kitsbow since January of 2020. He’s now a Maker II (highest degree of workmanship) and at present works within the cell that produces your Mescal Shorts, Haskell Shorts, & Haskell Pants.
Dave, using his bike, in entrance of the Kitsbow Manufacturing unit & Outdated Fort Experience Home at 59 Commerce Avenue in Outdated Fort, NC.
The Journey to Kitsbow
Again in 2019, Dave was taking a 5 day immersion course on bicycle restore when he realized {that a} textile producer referred to as Kitsbow was shifting to North Carolina. He was taking the immersion course as a result of he was decided to align his profession along with his ardour. He cherished using his bike and determined he was going to be a part of the bike trade. After studying about Kitsbow in the course of the bike restore course, he took it as an indication and utilized for the job! “I beforehand labored in textiles and cherished it. So I’m going to go that route and see what occurs”. The remaining is historical past…
Stitching is greater than a ability for Dave, it’s a legacy.
Dave is a 3rd technology textile artisan and has been round stitching machines his total life. As a toddler, he was taught the right way to sew with needle & thread and has fond recollections watching his grandmother sew clothes in her house studio for the entire household, together with wedding ceremony attire, and complicated doll garments. “Working at Kitsbow was a pure development in my curiosity. I needed to see if I may do it, and I can!”
Each of Daves’ mother and father labored within the textile trade. “My mom is so pleased with me and comfortable to see attire coming again to North Carolina”. Throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s, textile crops have been an enormous trade in North Carolina. Many ended up shutting down and going abroad after NAFTA was handed. “I’m proud to be a part of historical past bringing attire again to this space.”
There’s over 255 distinctive steps concerned with making Haskell Pants, Shorts, and Mescals, and Dave has them memorized.
Movement like water…
“I didn’t know what to anticipate from this firm however I’ve skilled lots of development and I’ve seen lots of development within the firm”. Kitsbow practices Lean Manufacturing which suggests development, studying, and steady enchancment is discovered on the core of every part we do.
When reflecting on the adjustments at Kitsbow, from the PPE pivot to studying the right way to sew new merchandise, Dave quoted Bruce Lee. “You’ve obtained to be like water and tackle the form of no matter is occurring, like water does”.
He goes on to say, “should you pour water right into a cup, it’s going to tackle the form of the cup”. This Bruce Lee quote was an epiphany for Dave and he makes use of it as his guiding drive when navigating change. “I’ve tried to tackle the form of no matter is occurring round me and go along with it. Change is tough and also you simply should be zen about it.”
A real artist
When requested what his favourite a part of Kitsbow was, he responded with out hesitation , “I really take pleasure in all features! I like utilizing my arms & creating issues. I see myself as an artist”. Dave finds it fulfilling to see the garment come collectively because it strikes alongside the road, from begin to end.
Each piece of attire sewn in Outdated Fort, NC is accompanied by a card initialed by every of the Makers, Cutters, and Operators that helped create that exact garment.
As an artist, one in every of his many inventive retailers is poetry. He agreed to share a poem he wrote:
Haunted
Alas I’m haunted
By the Forest of Summers inexperienced
A dusty path rising, guides me to visions but unseen
In a quiet second the timber embrace me as natures baby
Tempting me to take my place amongst them, residing within the wild.
In Fall I enjoyment of forests colourful robe
I watch with bated breath, as leaves quietly contact the bottom.
I gaze on the evening and ponder of explorers but dwelling prior to now.
Whereas a playful breeze whispers to me saying that I shouldn’t be the final.
I stroll the evening sky and guarding sentry within the forest throughout winters sleep
As cleaning snows fall and frigid rains weep
Stepping as a feather, I dream within the leaves of the approaching spring.
As soon as once more, I’m haunted by the forest of summers inexperienced.
Thanks, Dave, for serving to Kitsbow change an trade!
