Alix Verley Pietrafesa began making clothing while studying art history in Scotland, inspired by vintage textiles and an unexpected sewing-machine purchase. After creating more than 2,500 bespoke one-of-a-kind pieces, she developed Alix of Bohemia into a New York studio label whose natural-fiber clothing is made with a distinctly hand-worked character.
The Endless ThreadThe Endless Thread is Linda Sturgeon’s Putney studio for hand-crafted fiber-art clothing, including crocheted dresses, jackets and tops. Her work grew from making crocheted shopping baskets with postal and baling twine in the 1970s, then evolved into clothing after she taught herself to dye industrial cordage and began showing her designs at juried craft shows and galleries. More than 40 years later, she continues to design and craft each piece herself, with custom orders available.CHESTER, PA
MIMI PROBERFounded in 2014 by New York designer Mimi Prober, MIMI PROBER creates handcrafted clothing, textiles, and fine jewelry by turning antique materials into sustainable modern heirlooms. Its atelier combines recovered 18th- and early-20th-century textiles with local luxury fibers and botanical dyes, preserving the stories and handwork embedded in each one-of-a-kind piece. Production is based in New York and carried out through direct partnerships with regional farms, mills, artisans, and manufacturers.STATEN ISLAND, NY
Atelier BolyarAtelier Bolyar is a New York textile-art studio creating hand-crafted felt pillows and large fiber art installations under founder and chief designer Kiril Kostov. Its work brings age-old textile techniques together with contemporary fabric manipulation, combining loose fibers, embroidery and hand-sewn adornment into pieces inspired by nature and historic decorative traditions. The studio also develops custom palettes and takes projects from an initial concept through production.NEW YORK, NY
Katherine RuggieriAfter seven years coordinating high-visibility productions at The Walt Disney Company, Katherine Ruggieri brings a professional costumer’s discipline to her independent fashion practice. For 15 years, she has developed made-by-hand apparel for people who need clothing to move, perform, or stand out, with fit and practical construction guiding the work. Her Kent State fashion design training, including study in Florence, complements a portfolio that ranges from community parade collections to theatrical recreations.PITTSBURGH, PA