Believe it or not, CMD&C was conceived in the Centurion Lounge at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport. I was flying back home after a week in Portugal forgetting about the reality of my situation.
Before I left on vacation I had a performance review that resulted in me being placed on a vague PiP. I was blindsided initially, but the more I thought about it…this could be an opportunity for me to exit my current path as a Social Strategist, a role that I found to range from less than desirable to downright shameful at times. Plus I spent the part of my trip reading up on how Meta was planning to use AI to automate large chunks of their ad business…I knew the endgame was near.
As I sat in the lounge with no less than 6 hours before takeoff, I pressed play on the new Clipse album and began to brainstorm with Gemini.
I knew that I wanted to get into the apparel business — while I don’t consider myself to be an everyday fashionable person, I do care tremendously about the style, cut, quality, value, and feeling that I get from my closet and I lowkey had a problem. Most of my hoodies and sweatpants just weren’t good. I comfortable wanted clothes that I would feel wearing to the office, set, and the gym.
Something that pushed the quality and cut value of both ends of the athleteleisure scale. I wanted clothes whose stitching wouldn’t easily fray at the seams along the sleeves and pockets. That was tough enough to withstand several trips to the laundromat without a hole in the pocket forming. And most importantly garments that wouldn’t pile up or distort after washing and drying.
The quest for a better hoodie began.
First I looked in my closet. Who was manufacturing the clothes that I was so disappointed in? After doing a little research, I was shocked to learn that many of my “premium” hoodies — merch purchased in support of my favorite upstart artists and instagram collectives — were
Too many of the hoodies that I owned were imports from China, Thailand, and Vietnam…fine textile countries that supply most of the market with cheap, yet somewhat durable garments. They manufacture for some of the most recognizable and formidable fashion brands in the world at 10x profit. If I was going into business, then I wouldn't be known for cheapness or price-gouging at a 10x markup. Building my brand on affordable luxury blanks was non-negotiable.
Next, I looked for American Manufacturers, some of whom also supply great brands in my closet. However these manufactures presented a cost challenge, sustainability challenge combined with varying degrees of qualities and cut. While it would be nice to be a 100% American made brand, we are not the world leaders in sustainable and fair-pay textiles.
As I searched forums deeply, Portugal began to consistently come up Europe’s premiere textile nation capable of manufacturing truly luxury and premium textiles at an affordable rate. Some of the most beloved brands in the world Nike, Supreme, Off White, Cole Buxton, Acne Studios, and Balenciaga (amongst many others) source their products from Portuguese Ateliers and crafters.
Made in Portugal, means something…it means traditional craftsmanship, high performance balanced with fair wages for workers, and a commitment to using 100% sustainable cotton.
With a CMD&C garment, you will never get a polyester-blend. And for a price competitive with other high-end streetwear brands, a you’ll get a product with a noticeable improvement in how it feels, every day.
I didn’t know, that day at Humberto, that Portugal would prove to be a vital part of my business, but when you fall in love with an article of clothing who can say no?
Are you ready to begin your journey to a better hoodie?