Craft Gear
We are dedicated to one thing at Diamond Brand: practicing, preserving, and elevating the art of tentmaking. Since relocating to Asheville in 1942, we’ve been manufacturing and hiring locally, because we believe in reviving the craft of sewing. See what our customers have to say about our gear.
Diamond brand’s History
When Diamond Brand first came to the heart of these mountains, the art of sewing permeated the area. We got our start in Asheville, North Carolina in a small, defunct hosiery mill that quickly turned into a thriving factory. Fifty years later, the textile industry began to offshore their facilities, resulting in the loss of 750,000 jobs from 1990-2011. This is why we’ve made it our mission to revive the art of sewing, with the hopes of making our home in the heart of the mountains a place where this craft lives and breathes.
At Diamond Brand, we are committed to the preservation of craftmanship, formation of a greener economy, and creation of durable goods that enhance the experience of all adventurers. Since 1881, we’ve made it our vision to be a force for good in the lives of our customers, team members, for the community, and for the Earth.
Free Spirit tent production
We are fabric craftspeople
We have the experience and resourcefulness to solve problems and create customized products for our customers. We work with a wide range of materials: from traditional and innovative fabrics, to durable and heavy, and to high-performance and ultra-lightweight. From experience, we find the most efficient ways to cut, design, and join fabrics together. We have implemented lean manufacturing principles, making it even easier to explore ways to add customization or personalization to our products. In addition, we upcycle Diamond Brand Gear materials for new and creative uses.
we do it for the gear
Our passion lies in the creation of high-quality, durable gear that will last for years and is made with sustainability in mind. At Diamond Brand, our makers and quality assurance team ensure every piece of craft gear is inspected before it ships from our factory. We believe in our craft, and each product we make harnesses a love for adventure and versatility.
Community
Sewing Program
Our interest in preserving the art of sewing has led us to partner with over twenty other WNC manufacturers to launch a free industrial sewing program for local sewers. Through this program, students will learn sewing terms, fabric structures and type, and how to read tech packs. They’ll also learn basic sewing skills and techniques for industrial straight stitch, coverstitch, and overlock machines.
Collaborating and engaging with the community is an integral part of what we believe in. We’re proud to be creating in the mountains of Asheville, NC.
Part of the Family
Our commitment to family extends into our community, so we support our employees’ efforts to generate positive change by offering paid volunteer time.
the benefits of being a craftsperson
- We provide an Employee Assistance Program that helps our family members through times of exceptional need with marriage, the birth of children, substance abuse, personal finances, and continuing education.
- We provide translation services that enable everyone to have access to the same information and be empowered to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
Our wall tent grommeting process in action
a living wage & beyond
- 100% of our employees make at least a living wage for Henderson County, North Carolina. This factors in the number of adults in the household who are working and the number of children they are supporting.
- Through our Gainsharing Program, we split the gross margin profits we exceed 50/50 with employees each month.
- We have a robust employee referral bonus system in which we reward employees for employment referrals and offer a graduated pay scale dependent upon milestones such as interviewing and length of employment.
“I had an amazing customer service experience with this great company. Lauren and Jesus provided such great service. The tone and thoroughness of the emails made me feel like they worked for me. I had had a couple issues and they went above and beyond to fix them and even gift my family something that has blessed our whole summer! These folks are kind, legit and trustworthy. Can’t recommend them enough! Thank you Diamond Brand!”
B.J. Fisher
our wild & crazy team
(A few of) Our Tentmakers
our values
We live and breathe by these core beliefs.
People First
Craftsmanship
Practices
Made in AsheViLle
We have a gem in these mountains that understands the principle of craft. We work from the heart, for everybody’s benefit, making innovative, high-quality, outdoor gear, that not only supports all adventures, but has created a lasting legacy: giving life back to the special craft heritage here we all hold dear. We want to share the story of Diamond Brand Gear – it’s been around as long as some of our ancient trees, and we hope it holds every bit of the same wisdom.
Fellow Travelers
All Diamond Brand craft gear is made with love in AVL, and we believe it’s important to recognize other community businesses that are making excellent products right here in town. We feel immense pride to stand alongside these fellow local innovators on the path to community engagement and sustainability. Here are some of our favorite AVL businesses with products you’ll love:
- Moog Music is the leading manufacturer of analog synthesizers in the world and strives to empower creative self-expression and joyous experimentation.
- East Fork Pottery makes thoughtful, timeless, durable stoneware with regional materials.
- Highland Brewing Company carved the path for the city’s craft beer and values community and sustainability.
- Buchi Kombucha crafts delicious probiotic drinks that will feed your thirst for life and keep your gut healthy.
- French Broad Chocolate makes awesome chocolate—pure, beautiful, and delicious—sourced with integrity, crafted with love, and served with gratitude.
- Noble Cider is Asheville’s first cidery, crafting delicious ciders using fresh fruit with no artificial flavors or ingredients.
- Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn prides itself in using natural ingredients to create classic and unique flavors, with a handcrafted touch packed into every delicious handful.
- Roots Hummus has been using all-natural ingredients to make unforgettable, vegan hummus since 2006.
- Burial Beer Co. crafts bold American styles with a dedication to creativity, tradition, modernization, and preservation.
COVID-19
Learn about how we are safely managing our business during the pandemic.