Dearborn Denim founder, Rob McMillan is a thoughtful guy with some grand ambitions. He’s working on building a big apparel company that ethically manufactures premium products at an affordable price, right in Chicago. Impossible you say?
Well this past Monday, I met up with Rob at Dearborn Denim’s factory in Chicago to tour the factory with him, then record this conversation where he lays out the blueprint.
Some companies are easy to root for and support. Dearborn Denim is definitely one of them.
TOPICS & TIMES:
Why Rob started Dearborn Denim (2:47)
Profitability vs Mission/Ethics (7:25)
Why Chicago for Apparel Manufacturing? (13:38)
Misconceptions about US Manufacturing (18:46)
‘Made in the USA’ Debate & Shopping Local (22:11)
Cost (28:33)
Solving for Fit & Advertising Challenges (33:39)
Premium — but Affordable?? — Products (38:03)
Growth & Scale (41:11)
Materials & Fabrics: What Should We Know? (49:46)
New Products & Contract Work (56:08)
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I bought 2 pairs of Dearborn jeans based upon this podcast a few months ago.
The ordering process was easy, the return on a 3rd pair was fast and painless (I bought 3 pairs to keep 2 as I was unsure of sizing on the different models).
I am super happy with them, and I will be ordering more from Dearborn in the future. As a guy who is an athletic and leggy 6’4″ it is nice having jeans that are long enough, that fit in the waist (33×36 is actually a very difficult size to find), and at a VERY forgiving price point. Most of my jean purchases over the last 10 years have been very north of $120+ and may have needed a trip to the tailor to get the waist taken in to fit right. The Dearborn’s were less than $80, and fit perfectly out of the box. I can wear them with a T-shirt and sneakers or with Dress Shoes and a Sport Coat for work.
Team Blister, keep up the good work of exposing quality companies that made good gear to us.
Thanks,
Pete
That’s great, Pete! Glad you also have been impressed with Dearborn Denim.