There are occasions when you stumble upon a great recommendation, you follow it through and end up patting yourself on the back for a job well done. That's how I felt when I made the trek out to the Pilsen neighbourhood when visiting Chicago this spring. My destination was a one hundred-year-old building with local artists' work in the windows and countless treasures inside. Welcome to Workshop...
This amazing shop opened its doors in 2009 and is the creation of designer Anne Novotny. Anne, or Annie as she also goes by, was at the shop when I stopped in on a Sunday. She was in the back of the studio, which really is a workshop, working on a floor-length, earthy gown for an upcoming show. Raw and glam-rock jewellery dress-up vintage mirrors and pieces of wood, Annie's own creations - Frei Designs - hang on the racks as do many other local/independently-made frocks and vintage purses line the walls.
Probably the coolest thing about Workshop is the philosophy behind it. Environmental sustainability and ethical practices make up the backbone of this business and recycled or repurposed materials that are ideally manufactured through fair trade are practices this shop endeavours to follow.
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