Brocade Coworking Sewing Studio
Brocade Textiles is shared sewing space for the City of Chicago's emerging fashion design community.
Project Description
OUR MISSION
Brocade Textiles will give minority fashion designers the sewing equipment and resources they need to design and develop industry level fashion collections.
We empower the entrepreneurs in the fashion industry to create, develop and grow their own fashion businesses by coming together in a shared creative space.
Our mission to give up and coming minority fashion designers sewing equipment will allow them to become major visionaries and influencers in the fashion industry.
THE PROBLEM
There are currently little to no studio resources for independent fashion designers in the Chicago area. If you are a independent fashion designer who isn't currently enrolled at a local college with a Fashion Design program you have no access to their fashion lab resources. The industrial sewing machines and sergers irons & steamers, dress-forms and cutting tables are all unavailable to designers who can't afford the tuition to attend. Independent design are forced to work from the floors and tables of their homes.
Without the resources here in the Chicago for Fashion Designers we are losing out on major progress for the minorities in the city who want to become a positive influence in the fashion industry. Designers are forced to limit their growth because they lack the space to expand their brands and businesses.
OUR SOLUTION
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Empower minority fashion entrepreneurship in Chicago by connecting with valuable companies and fashion industry leaders throughout the city for supplies, workshops and industry opportunities.
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Increase the number of minority designers entering the fashion design industry with little to no college education by providing them with cutting tables, sewing machines, irons, dress forms and notions all available for daily use.
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Our space is open to Fashion designers who are experienced in their fields and looking to grow in a bigger space for their brands by connecting to mentors, business opportunities and advancements through an industry driven and influenced co-working studio.
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Brocade will offer weekly refresher workshops for anyone unfamiliar with the type of equipment we use and the studio rules.
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We want to end the cycle of neglect for the minority community of fashion designers in the Chicago area and beyond. We are providing the esstinatial sewing equipment and space to allow fashion designers to grow.
Community networking in the studio provides designers with access to:
- Collaboration Projects
- Industry Tips & Strategies
- Networking Opportunities
-Monthly In House Workshops & Refresher Courses
- Resident Designer of the Month
- Seasonal Designer Showcase/ Fashion Show
- Design Development Critics
- Peer mentorship
- Leadership Development
- Entreprenuership Resources
WHAT WE NEED
Together can supply independent designers & future entrepreneurs the resources they need to create industry level fashion brands. Many of our costly purchases are upfront for sewing equipment and the rental space. Sewing machines, sergers, irons, and cutting tables will all be industry and commercial grade products, these are major purchases for the studio.
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- Industrial Sewing Machine
- Industrial Sergers
- Industrial Iron & Steamer
- Cutting Tables
- Storage Lockers
- Photography Studio Set Up
- Sewing Notions & supplies
- Wifi Access
- Laptop workspace
- OUR TEAM
- Lydia Endora Thompson, Founder/CEO
Thank your for believing in our mission to help the fashion design community. With your help together we will give entrepreneurs the resources they need to jumpstart their fashion dreams.
All funds raised on the iFundWomen platform will be used to build out and open our Chicago studio space.
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where will the space be located?
We will be located in the City of Chicago in a CTA (public transportation) accessible location.
How much will a membership cost?
Student Designer ($98/month)
Associate Designer ($139/month)
Resident Designer ($250/month)
Any more fees?
As Resident Designers you have all access to our own studio amenities including rentable notions and supplies.
Your supplies fee is a one time payment of $29 that you pay the first day you check into the space. Your monthly membership is paid on the 1st of every month.
Daily Notions & Supplies Fee (Non RD Members) $5
What requirements will designers need to become a member?
- At least 1 year of pattern making and garment construction
- 1 year of experience with industrial single needle sewing machines and sergers
- Must be able to provide a small seasonal collection if selected for Designer of the Month.
- Designer Orientation will cover properly using the machine but we require everyone to have prior experience because this is an independent workspace. We don't want to interrupt the other working designers.
I made my Designer Membership contribution, now what?
- Keep an eye on your email, our on boarding team will be sending you the application to fill out for your membership. Get that done future fashion visionary!
- Once your application has been accepted you'll start receiving all the information to welcome you to your new sewing home including our Welcome Portfolio with House Rules.
Are we open to the public for daily use?
No visitors please. We would love to have you come in for a tour if you would like to check out what we offer. Weekly tours will be announced soon!
Can designers bring guests?
Yes, we would love to host you and one more guest for the day. The limit is one guest per designer. Guests may not sit at the sewing machines and equipment.
This option is for future Resident Designers in our Chicago area studio.
We can't wait to have you in our new home!
Your contribution has reserved your one month space as Resident Designer. This will help us secure the many amenities and resources we will be providing for you in the sewing studio.
You will also receive:
- An exclusive invitation to Brocade Textiles's Grand Opening this Fall in Chicago.
- Entry into our "Soft Run" raffle where select designers and industry professionals will have access to come in and see the space before anyone else!
- You will also be featured in our very first Supporter newsletter and Featured Resident Designer Campaign
- Entry for Designer of the Month Reward
Make any contribution and we will still send our love.
Receive our exclusive Brocade notebook set and begin manifesting your goals. We'll also include you in our weekly sponsor shoutout on Instagram.
Thank you for believing in our goal! Your donation highlights the importance of what we're doing.
- Receive a feature on Instagram and Facebook contributor post
- Receive your personal sewing kit
- Access to Grand Opening Event
Interested in sponsoring our first annual Fashion designer showcase? Your donation will support our efforts to create a fashion industry networking event. An evening filled with fashion, art, and Chicago food!
Included:
- Newsletter Feature
- Instagram shoutout
- Brocade Sketchbook Set
Your contribution will go far! As gratitude for your support you can enjoy these perks;
-
We are thankful for your generosity to our mission.
Reward features include:
- Access to the studio for a month
- Newsletter feature
-Instagram Shoutout
- Brocade Fashion Box & personalized gift
- Vip Grand opening invitation
Contact Us for high contribution rewards.
Rewards
This option is for future Resident Designers in our Chicago area studio.
We can't wait to have you in our new home!
Your contribution has reserved your one month space as Resident Designer. This will help us secure the many amenities and resources we will be providing for you in the sewing studio.
You will also receive:
- An exclusive invitation to Brocade Textiles's Grand Opening this Fall in Chicago.
- Entry into our "Soft Run" raffle where select designers and industry professionals will have access to come in and see the space before anyone else!
- You will also be featured in our very first Supporter newsletter and Featured Resident Designer Campaign
- Entry for Designer of the Month Reward
Make any contribution and we will still send our love.
Receive our exclusive Brocade notebook set and begin manifesting your goals. We'll also include you in our weekly sponsor shoutout on Instagram.
Thank you for believing in our goal! Your donation highlights the importance of what we're doing.
- Receive a feature on Instagram and Facebook contributor post
- Receive your personal sewing kit
- Access to Grand Opening Event
Interested in sponsoring our first annual Fashion designer showcase? Your donation will support our efforts to create a fashion industry networking event. An evening filled with fashion, art, and Chicago food!
Included:
- Newsletter Feature
- Instagram shoutout
- Brocade Sketchbook Set
Your contribution will go far! As gratitude for your support you can enjoy these perks;
-
We are thankful for your generosity to our mission.
Reward features include:
- Access to the studio for a month
- Newsletter feature
-Instagram Shoutout
- Brocade Fashion Box & personalized gift
- Vip Grand opening invitation
Contact Us for high contribution rewards.