Workshop Chicago Launches Online Boutique

'Peruvian Pyrite Chunks' earrings by Mineralogy available at Workshop

Some exciting news from Annie Novotny of Frei Designs and Workshop Chicago. The beloved Pilsen neighborhood boutique founded by this pioneering sustainable fashion designer, educator, and advocate for community outreach, is launching a new online store featuring select collections and accessories also available at the shop.

Frei Designs 'Sleeveless Cape Top' available at Workshop

Workshop-Chicago.com is the next phase for the boutique, creating an online presence to facilitate wider accessibility to the sustainable lines that workshop offers. Novotny's line, Frei Designs, is the main collection for sale on the site, along with the work of several local jewelry designers and hand-picked, vintage accessories.

Frei Designs Hempcel 'Crop Trench' in natural indigo

Although not quite two years old, workshop has grown into something far beyond retail – a community space with engaging window displays and installations by local artists. Workshop also offers regular classes, literary readings, and social discussions. In addition to the online shop, Workshop-Chicago.com will also serve as a central online calendar of events for interactive community experiences at the brick and mortar space in the Pilsen neighborhood.

More designs will be added to Workshop-Chicago.com during the month of July. Bookmark it now for inspiring finds and news.

The Workshop Shop Phenomenon

Annie Novotny's 'Workshop Boutique' in Chicago

I love this new phenomenon of sustainable fashion enterprises having an on-site workshop under the same roof as the designer's artisanal boutique. If we really want to talk about locally made goods being part of the sustainable design equation, it definitely makes sense to give shoppers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the materials and methods that go into each season's collection and custom-made accessories.

Frock Shoppe in Chester, Connecticut features a storefront and behind-the-scenes sewing atelier

For some designers this also means that they do not have to follow the standard fashion week calendar, as they are free to create inventory in-tune with the current season (or un-seasonal temperatures) and also cater to bespoke requests from devoted followers.

Beautiful Soul's vintage kimono textiles are artfully curated and archived for bespoke fashioning (image via Vogue.com UK)

Beautiful Soul's A/W 2010 collection

I have always found that I am more inclined to buy from a designer if I can meaningfully connect with their process and backstory in some real fashion. Are we moving ever closer to a production model where the consumer and the designer work in partnership to fulfill the 'demands' of our fashion 'needs'? I certainly hope so. The more we are attuned to what goes into the design and crafting of our clothing, the more we are likely to carefully consider the entire life cycle of the garments that we opt to make a part of our personal style repertoire.

Another new workshop-shop to watch? Here Today, Here Tomorrow in the up-and-coming Dalston area in London. 

HERE TODAY  HERE TOMORROW

30a Balls Pond Road | Dalston | N1 4AU

t: 02035181556

Frei Designs Opens Shop

Frei Designs LookBook A/W 2009

Frei Designs LookBook A/W 2009

There is nothing more sustainable than good things happening to good people. Case in point, Annie Novotny of Frei Designs. I first met Annie at D&A's green room in NYC during Spring 2008, and she definitely floored me with her intellectual spin on the future of sustainable design and homegrown, eco fashion ethics. I am very pleased to announce that Frei Designs has now opened its own workshop and boutique in lovely Chicago.


Stop by and congratulate Annie on all of the goodness that she has shared with our eco style community to date!

Frei Workshop and Boutique Opening
Friday, August 14th from 6pm - 9pm
818 West 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608