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LA TIMES: U.S. Olympic team sweaters hand-sewn in Southern California
Last edited Sat Feb 8, 2014, 10:13 PM - Edit history (1)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-olympic-uniforms-20140208,0,6390427.story#ixzz2slhgd1HB
U.S. Olympic team sweaters hand-sewn in Southern California
A City of Commerce factory owned by a husband-and-wife duo produces the controversial cardigans adorning Team USA at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sochi Games.
By Shan Li
February 7, 2014, 4:31 p.m.
When the U.S. Olympic team paraded at the opening ceremony of the Sochi Games, a husband-and-wife duo from Southern California kept a close eye on the sweaters.
The controversial cardigans worn by Team USA — lauded by some as homespun Americana and derided by others as rejects from Grandpa's closet — were produced in the City of Commerce factory owned by Elizabeth and Eddy Park.
The couple, who own the Ball of Cotton knitwear company, have been hard at work since retailer Ralph Lauren tapped them in 2012 to sew part of the U.S. Olympic uniform in Sochi. Their team of 60 workers ended up making the opening and closing ceremony sweaters for U.S. athletes.
"One sweater takes more than 12 hours," said Elizabeth Park, 56. "Lots of hand whip-stitching, and it goes through many hands."
The Parks took on the job at a time when Ralph Lauren was in a deep public relations pickle.
The Chinese-made uniforms it designed for the London Games spurred politicians from both sides of the aisle to denounce the use of foreign workers to outfit America's top athletes. Many people bemoaned the effects of outsourcing.
Ralph Lauren quickly promised to make the uniforms for the Sochi Winter Games in America.
"I guess in searching for vendors, somehow they found us," Elizabeth Park said. "We were so shocked."
This time around, the uniforms toured America before heading to Olympians in Sochi — or to Ralph Lauren shoppers who bought the pieces online. Wool for the opening ceremony sweater, for example, came from a sheep farm in Oregon and was spun in Pennsylvania. The yarn was then dyed in North Carolina before landing in the Parks' factory.
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U.S. Olympic team sweaters hand-sewn in Southern California
A City of Commerce factory owned by a husband-and-wife duo produces the controversial cardigans adorning Team USA at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sochi Games.
By Shan Li
February 7, 2014, 4:31 p.m.
When the U.S. Olympic team paraded at the opening ceremony of the Sochi Games, a husband-and-wife duo from Southern California kept a close eye on the sweaters.
The controversial cardigans worn by Team USA — lauded by some as homespun Americana and derided by others as rejects from Grandpa's closet — were produced in the City of Commerce factory owned by Elizabeth and Eddy Park.
The couple, who own the Ball of Cotton knitwear company, have been hard at work since retailer Ralph Lauren tapped them in 2012 to sew part of the U.S. Olympic uniform in Sochi. Their team of 60 workers ended up making the opening and closing ceremony sweaters for U.S. athletes.
"One sweater takes more than 12 hours," said Elizabeth Park, 56. "Lots of hand whip-stitching, and it goes through many hands."
The Parks took on the job at a time when Ralph Lauren was in a deep public relations pickle.
The Chinese-made uniforms it designed for the London Games spurred politicians from both sides of the aisle to denounce the use of foreign workers to outfit America's top athletes. Many people bemoaned the effects of outsourcing.
Ralph Lauren quickly promised to make the uniforms for the Sochi Winter Games in America.
"I guess in searching for vendors, somehow they found us," Elizabeth Park said. "We were so shocked."
This time around, the uniforms toured America before heading to Olympians in Sochi — or to Ralph Lauren shoppers who bought the pieces online. Wool for the opening ceremony sweater, for example, came from a sheep farm in Oregon and was spun in Pennsylvania. The yarn was then dyed in North Carolina before landing in the Parks' factory.
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6 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
When I saw them in the opening ceremony I thought they looked great.
But if I liked them that much, then they must be awful to anyone with "fashion sense". 
Color me proud!
