By: Lindsay Garbacik By: Lindsay Garbacik | April 19, 2022 | People, Style & Beauty,
Refresh your spring wardrobe with fashionable pieces made by designers from right here in Chicago!
The Epiphany Center For The Arts’ Chase Gallery will hold its first fashion pop-up event on Friday, April 22 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 23 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., with pieces curated by design collective ‘we are MATERIAL’. The five-year-old collective was founded by local fashion designers Andrea Reynders and Anna Brown, and metalsmith Gillion Carrara. The show will feature creations from 11 Chicago designers, all of whose work was made artisanally and in small batches.
The stellar lineup has a range of designers who specialize in jewelry, meticulously crafted jackets, unique purses, home goods and more! Fans of Bravo’s Project Runway will be excited to see Chicago-native studio Alex Carter on the list of designers, as well. All of the work on display will be for sale.
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We’ve compiled a list of designers showing at the Epiphany so you can scope out your next purchase, explore the local designers in your community, and meet Chicago’s creative forces on Instagram.
A conceptual brand for all genders, Alex Carter was created by Chelsey Carter. The androgyny and fluidity of both the studio name and its garments are what sets this brand apart and why it’s well-loved by so many. Alex Carter has dressed SZA and Chance the Rapper, and designer Chelsey also competed on Bravo’s Project Runway. The brand is inspired by bridging the gap between edge and simplicity.
Co-founder of ‘we are MATERIAL’ design collective, Chicago-native Andrea Reynders creates unisex sculptural and timeless designs. Reynders crafts unique pieces that are easy to wear, travel with, and function for everyday wear. Combining artisanal techniques and contemporary silhouettes, Reynders’ designs are sustainably made and from the mind of a seasoned fashion professional.
@anna_brown_studio on Instagram
Sustainable, limited-run, slow fashion is Anna Brown’s bread and butter and she does it well. Rejecting typical fashion seasons and creating work that is long lasting and timeless sets the brand apart and brings fashion back to the days before cheap fast fashion reigned supreme. The whole range is designed, crafted and sewn in Chicago. Anna Brown is another co-founder of the ‘we are MATERIAL’ design collective.
A store of unique wonders, Bird & Tale features one-of-a-kind items and artist-crafted work from a variety of sustainable brands. The store prides itself on its curated collections and the return to purchasing art items with purpose (not just because it is on sale). The planet and the livelihoods of artisanal artists are at the heart of the store’s mission.
This gallery features the works of numerous jewelry artisans in the community and the occasional contemporary art piece. For unique, artisan-made, quality earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets and brooches, this is your one stop shop. Explore the full range of creations from the gallery, there’s always something special to be found.
Co-founder of ‘we are MATERIAL’ , Gillion Carrara works as a metalsmith to create show-stopping accessories and home goods using materials sourced from specific global destinations. While pieces are typically minimal in design, Carrara is inspired most by the materials (like bone, antlers, shells, horn, wood) and where they are sourced from. Nature and architecture have a strong influence on their design aesthetic.
Combining feminine silhouettes with influences from designer Lola’s hometown of Minneapolis and her African roots, Lola Élan creates high-quality sustainably-made garments right here in Chicago. With vibrant, tasteful prints and styles comfortable enough to wear every day, there’s a lot to love about the brand.
Colorful, handmade, youthful bags are the staple at Neon Fringey. Each accessory is woven with colored cords and can be customized to match any outfit. Gen Z fashion-lovers are sure to appreciate the vibrant nature of the brand and their Instagram-worthy bags. The unique shape of each bag sets it apart as an art piece… not just another boxy, monochromatic purse.
With a strong emphasis on texture, shape and silhouette, Misanthrope does not focus on colors when crafting garments. The brand works to create genderless, typically black in color, wearable pieces that can gradually elevate an outfit to a fashionable work of art, while maintaining comfort.
Slow fashion and small batch creations all completed in Chicago make this brand excitingly sustainable for both the environment and its supply chain employees. Designer Jamie Hayes creates ready-to-wear garments with geometric patterns and linear textiles. The garments express individuality while still being incredibly wearable.
Artist Av Grannan creates wearable art in her collection of upcycled garments. Each piece is crafted from a variety of materials, like: canvas, upcycled leather, fabrics, and even fabric from a discarded couch. With sustainability and art at the forefront of the brand’s mission, their range is truly an ode to originality.
Registration is recommended for the two-day event and can be done here. The Epiphany Center For The Arts is located at 201 S Ashland Ave. Chicago.
Photography by: Clark Street Mercantile for Unsplash
