Checking In With FD Wear

I'll try to answer a few questions:

@ Malczyk- Virtika (pronounced like "vertical") is the brand name of our outerwear.

@ hesher- We didn't hire anyone to make this video. Lesh shot and edited the entire video himself. He also directed and edited "Last Friday", and shot, directed, and edited "The Apology Video".

@Miomo- We were actually really surprised how well the factory workers get paid. They live on site, and earn enough working in the factory to pay for their entire extended family to live comfortably (usually back in the country side). They earn so much that most factories in China loose 50% of their labor when everyone leaves for Chinese New Year. They have saved up enough money to go home and not come back to work for several years. All the workers we saw were super happy about their jobs, signing songs while they worked, etc.

If you guys have questions or concerns in the future, feel free to message us directly or better yet, shoot us an email to info@fdwear.com. Thanks!

@FD_Virtika....Do you happen to know another race/culture who also sang songs while they worked? I sure as hell do. Child labor is horrible guys...if u really wanted a company that produced legit outerwear and promoted good that reflected the wants and needs of an industry that needs more sustainability in the world in order to not only progress, but to sustain itself. Buying and manufacturing your goods in AMERICA (FUCK YEA) while it may cost u a little more money, represents a business foundation that skiers can and should feel proud about supporting. Talk to the guys at the iNi collective. They could teach you a few things. CMO OUT!

guys fd is gay but chill out on the hate jesus christ there making money and having a pretty fucking solid life style so leave em alone #respect

http://vimeo.com/27518391

I'll just leave this here...

And in response to the article:

Go FD! I really enjoyed reading Lesh's response to peoples reaction to "Last Friday".

sooo much hate haha. you guys are ridiculous.

haha fuckin Lesh, I'd be stoked to have his lifestyle

I'm not a huge fan of FD myself, but the guys seem to be having fun, and seem to be getting better at the whole outerwear game. Keep it up Lesh

Oh god damn with the sweatshop comments. Welcome to America.

@SteezoSaurus you sound like an ignorant little bitch.

well until someone on ns invents robots who sew tall-t's and hoodies (which will then make ppl mad about putting nice old honest working factory workers out of business) or until you newschoolers decide to give up skiing to work in a sweatshop for 5 cents an hour this is the way it is. There is no manufacturing in America because it's too expensive and impractical so either make your own shit (or have your mom make it) or stop bitching.

don't be ignorant.

The more I see about First Drop, the more I dislike them. They aren't making enough money to cover all of that shit, guaranteed. Somebody has a rich daddy, and it looks like they will be burnt out soon. Good riddance.

"It’s been incredible how supportive Newschoolers and many Newschoolers members have been since the beginning though". No shit, Schmuck pretty much hooked up FD's entire presence.

too bad first drop clothing sucks ass and looks fuckin stupid

First Drop proud of their sweatshop. Never a dull moment with these idiots

"Don’t let a busy factory floor make you think sweatshop for in fact it is the exact opposite, these are real jobs for people supporting them selves just like you and I." - Saga qoute about their factory in China

All these people making comments about them using Chinese labor are stupid. You guys just make these comments cause you're butthurt over their videos and other stupid shit they do. But if you want to really make a case against companies using labor overseas, then start sending some hate messages to 90 percent of ski companies. Welcome to the real world. I'm pretty sure jiberish and Saga are made in China so go hate on them... oh wait you won't because you're all on their dicks.

I'm not defending FD, but if you're going to talk shit about them, atleast make valid points.

k hold up is that obama shot legit and why the fuck did lesh meet the president??!!

Everyone hates on FD way to fucking hard, Jesus Christ...I don't even like their shit that much and I'm definitely against outsourcing labor, but give it a rest.

So much hate haha...Keep up the good work Lesh

Thanks for the support guys. We agree fully; it's always better to support a local economy (US labor) whenever possible. We source locally in the US whenever we can (some of our clothing, accessories, stickers, office equipment and supplies, promotional products, local event sponsorship, advertising, etc).

For better or worse, we live in a world economy now. Look around your house, grocery stores, the local Target, where do you think all of that comes from? The US got out of the manufacturing game a LONG time ago.

99% of the world's outerwear isn't just made in China, it's made in ONE industrial zone within ONE province in China. If you want the best outerwear possible, with competitive prices, there isn't really a choice.

The more our production allows us to grow and be successful, the more we are able to hire more employees in the US, do more business with local companies, and not only fuel the local economy here, but also add to the overall GDP which helps the US economy as a whole. We are of course a very small company, and these effects may be very small, but the principle is the same regardless of size.

We always appreciate your involvement and feedback, but try to educate yourself a little bit before you develop your opinions and voice them publicly.

^preach brotha, preach!

Saga also posts pics of their factory......also in china