APPAREL NEWS

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON FOOTWEAR

When designer Jaclyn Jones first started her search for a U.S.-based factory to produce her name-sake shoe collection, she was faced with a challenge far greater than anticipated. “I searched tirelessly for 6 months before finding a factory to produce my brand,” the founder of women’s luxury brand, Jaclyn Jones USA, shared. “It felt like I had finally broken into an underground industry,” she continued. With more and more factories migrating overseas, domestic manufacturing options were more limited than ever, and those that remained hadn’t adapted to the standards of technology, quality and cleanliness expected from every other manufacturing industry.

Frustrated by the inefficiencies she experienced over the first 2 years of producing her brand, Jones felt inspired to take matters into her own hands and create the new standard. In October 2018, Jaclyn made the leap from shoe designer to factory owner and CEO of Los Angeles-based footwear factory, Clover & Cobbler. She shared, “we’re shaking up the industry, offering emerging designers and existing footwear brands a refreshed, organized approach to manufacturing in the USA.” As a female owned-and-led company, Clover & Cobbler aims to breathe the life of a new generation into a centuries-old craft. Jones shared, “we aim to redefine the perception of a long-standing industry and bring it into the modern day.”

In its 20,000 square-foot facility, Clover & Cobbler offers an end-to-end solution for footwear designers. From sample development to full line production and components manufacturing, Clover & Cobbler brings the entire production process under one roof. “Unlike other domestic factories,” Jones shared, “we operate as a completely vertical company.” The factory houses its own wood department – bringing in high quality lumber to carve solid-wood heels instead of importing plastic heels. The high-end facility also offers a robust last library and in-house last manufacturing which enables more personalized design solutions for its clients and substantially lowers customers’ costs on shipping and importing lasts. Jones shared, “with our array of in-house capabilities, we are able to oversee the entire supply chain process and ensure that quality standards are met and exceeded while deadlines are closely followed.”

Meeting factory minimums is often the biggest hurdle to navigating the often-overwhelming journey of a new designer. Knowing this, Jones decided to set Clover & Cobbler apart from the mentality of mass-production found overseas. “We are committed to providing new and emerging designers the opportunity to grow and succeed by requiring zero minimums on production orders,” Jones said. In an industry dominated by big fashion powerhouses, this unconventional attitude fosters an environment of growth and support from the inside out. “This allows even the smallest voices to be heard in a crowded marketplace,” Jones continued.

Clover & Cobbler has uniquely positioned itself in the footwear industry, catering to both new designers and high-volume, established brands. Though rooted in the skilled craft of artisan shoemaking, the facility also offers a secondary, more automated and technologically-advanced production line to serve high volume orders. Jones shared, “our smaller clients have lots of room for growth, while our larger brands can fulfill high-volume orders quickly and efficiently without being held up by smaller brands.” The factory, located in Van Nuys, California, has seen increased inquiries from brands that normally import products from overseas. “Brands are beginning to migrate their production back towards the U.S. to take advantage of shorter lead times, reduced shipping costs, easier communication, and overall transparency,” Jones explained. Clients of Clover & Cobbler also enjoy peace of mind knowing that their products are made in a mindful atmosphere – supporting the local community, fair wages and a safe, healthy work environment. Jones said, “we plan to reshape the future of footwear with a firm eye towards sustainable and ethical practices.”