By Erica Faye Watson @Ericafayewatson

Doesn’t matter if you call it Chicago, Chi Town or the The Chi, one thing we can all agree on is Chicago’s style is soooo fly! From our food to our music all the way to our clothing… we may be thought of as the Second City, but these 4 t-shirt brands prove that our fashion is 2nd to none!

SOUTHSIDE CHI!
Corie Luckett, Owner of Englewood Branded Inc.

www.englewoodbranded.com | IG: @englewoodbranded

Where do you draw your inspiration from to create your designs?
My inspiration comes from my community. My upbringing in ENGLEWOOD kept me strong. I want people to know how much positivity is here as well.

Any advice for a new entrepreneur that wants to start an apparel business?
Stick with it and go with your heart. Get a support system that will play in the same game with you and understand their role in it. Stay consistent and continue to dream while doing so.

Why did you decide to make a t-shirt brand focused on Chicago?
Love-Respect-Honor-Dedication….those are my four principles. I wanted people to see how much not only I but people of my community loved it. We as a collective can show the world that we are here, strong, relevant and powerful by wearing it proudly on our chest. I also wanted to teach youth how to engage and start their own businesses. Fashion forward.

 

FROM OUT WEST!
Kevin Crawford, Chief Executive Officer of Inspiring Lives Apparel

www.inspiringlives.store | IG: @inspiringlivesapparel

Where do you draw your inspiration from to create your designs?
The struggles of everyday life in African American communities gives me inspiration to create my designs.

Who is your brand for and what sets it apart from others?
I would definitely say my brand is for African Americans and my creativity is what sets me apart from other brands in the marketplace!

What can we expect to see from your brand in 2020 and beyond?
More creativity and more powerful messages on t-shirts to uplift my people….

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHI GIRL!
Kelly Hardy, Owner / Designer Chic Shirt Shop

www.ChicShirtShop.com | IG: @TheChicShirtShop

Where do you draw your inspiration from to create your designs?
It can come from anywhere but I focus on three areas: Things that are trending in the world,
things that happen in my everyday life, and things that are important to my customers. I try and marry the three.

How would you describe your brand aesthetic? Who is your brand for and what sets you apart from other brands in the marketplace?
We make streetwear chic for women. My brand is for everyone woman, at some point you’re going to wear a fly t-shirt and I felt like it should be made with a woman in mind by a woman. What sets me apart is the quality of my shirts and my customer service. First time customers are always surprised at how quickly they receive their packages, how soft the shirts are and how great the experience is overall.

Why did you decide to make a t-shirt brand focused on Chicago?
I started this business because I wanted shirts made locally with women in mind. There were several brands for men but nothing for us girls. My first design was Summertime Chi, it made sense for the city, still does. Chicago girls LOVE to tell you where they’re from so a Chicago Girl shirt was mandatory.

WINDY CITY LOVE!
Kmoon & Bailey, co-founders of Hey Windy

www.heywindy.com | IG: @Hey.Windy

Where do you draw your inspiration from to create your designs?
We draw the inspiration to create our designs by both collectively brainstorming ideas relating to Chicago, our neighborhoods, lifestyles and of course from our peers.

What is it about Chicago that makes our fashion so fly?
Chicago is a fashion trendsetter city, our sense of style & creativity is undeniably unique. With Chicago experiencing all seasons this allows Chicagoan to be fashionably creative.

Why did you decide to make a t-shirt brand focused on Chicago?
We launched Hey Windy with apparel because as we mentioned in the previous question with Chicago being such a fashionable city we felt this would be the most productive route to gain supporters. With Windy City being the inherited nickname of Chicago, the name Hey Windy derives from that and embodies the spirit of Chicago by delivering content, apparel, accessories, and more to Chicago natives, tourists and transplants alike that want a piece of Windy to represent them.