While the global pandemic this year disrupted the fashion industry, it’s also presented a unique opportunity for self-reflection. Given the time to examine their business from a new perspective, some designers are using this moment as a catalyst for change. For Patrick Robinson, this presented the perfect time to do things differently.

Robinson launched the Community Made initiative, where he has pledged to move all production for his line Paskho from Asia back to his local community – starting with New York. A bold shift for the brand, the decision has the potential for a significant ripple effect. From reducing his carbon footprint to employing workers from underserved communities that need employment now more than ever, Robinson’s dramatic shift in the supply chain is no small feat. To pull this off, he has partnered with the Skilled Laborers Brigade, an organization comprised of over 500 skilled apparel makers and local factories from the garment industry, nationwide to stimulate domestic manufacturing through a circular and sustainable model. We caught up with the designer to hear why this change is important, and how he’s pulling it off.

What encouraged you to make this shift in your business? Why was this the right time?

Moving our production from Asia into communities near our customers has enormous benefits, from reducing our carbon footprint to employing workers from primarily underserved communities. The pandemic was the catalyst that brought on this change to tangibly help people and improve people’s lives here in our communities. And it just hit me that I didn’t need to wait around. I didn’t need to ignore it. I could do something right now.

How does sustainability play a factor in this new program? 

In this new system, garments are made on demand – eliminating waste and the environmental impacts of factories, and retail stores. We’re disrupting the traditional system of production. We’ve also increased the percentage of upcycled fabrics used to make our clothes, making sure we do our part to keep textiles in circulation and out of landfills. And we have eliminated all unnecessary hangtags and packaging in an effort to move towards zero waste.

How are you planning to source new craftspeople/talent? 

We are working with a collective of highly-skilled professionals in the fashion and garment industry, specifically in the tri-state region who have recently been effected by the pandemic. With Community-Made™ (in partnership with Skilled Laborers Brigade) workers control their own schedules with our SLB’s cutting-edge technology that allows them to work more effectively and efficiently.

What would you say to fashion companies to encourage them to make the switch to domestic and/or more sustainable production practices? 

Everyone’s lives have been drastically upended this year–our neighbor’s, co-workers, and communities are struggling both economically and health-wise. As a brand, this is how we are responding by moving our production from Asia to the our local communities in the United States, which makes sense for my brand, both financially and ethically.

What does community mean to you? 

For me, community is about taking care of those around you with aim of creating a fair, just, and equitable society.