Clothes & Accessories
Anastasia Chatzka Chicago
This fashion designer sells more than 100 items of women’s clothing online and at her self-named boutique in Ukrainian Village. The shop was remodeled this year to show her “made-to-measure” process of garment making.
A.W. Enterprises Bedford Park
This manufacturer of leather, nylon and hard-foam carrying cases for portable two-way radios and cellphones has a hockey connection, too: It made the case for the Stanley Cup championship trophy.
Bridal veils by Nancy Shefts Peoria
As a kid, Chicago native Nancy “The Veil Lady” Shefts used to design crepe paper costumes. Now, she creates custom wedding veils and headpieces in Peoria.
Dearborn Denim Chicago
Three years ago, Rob McMillan left his job as a bond trader at the Chicago Stock Exchange to launch this made-to-measure, direct-to-consumer denim jeans company. That’s a rarity in 2018 — a clothing manufacturer in the heart of Chicago.
MASHALLAH Chicago
Mashallah Gouleh keeps things simple: She uses quartz, recycled brass, gemstones and geometric shapes to create her earthy jewelry sold in the Pilsen neighborhood.
Maui Jim Peoria
It may not sound like an Illinois company, but that’s because Maui Jim was born on the hotel pool decks of Maui in Hawaii. The sunglasses manufacturer migrated to Central Illinois after purchasing RLI Vision in 1996.
Ms. Amy Taylor Chicago
Chicago Art Institute graduate and textile artist Amy Taylor does everything by hand. She cuts, sews, dyes and packages each undergarment she sells online, from bikinis to hip huggers.
Mohop Rockford
Mohop says its the first company in the U.S. to digitally fabricate mass-customizable footwear and accessories using digital scanning and 3D manufacturing techniques.
niceLena Evanston
South Korean born Lena Kim is the owner-designer of this small business that sells custom handmade jewelry and accessories, including her popular owl necklaces.
Optimo Hats Chicago
The hat making home for arguably the finest hat maker in the world is in Beverly, on the South Side. It’s built into a converted firehouse that opened in 1915.
Reformed School Chicago
Peter Gaona, the owner of this five-year-old online retailer, makes bowties, fashion and wearable art from eco-friendly materials designed to shine a spotlight on both social justice and African Diasporan history.
See Song Designs Chicago
Liz Pham says she named her jewelry business for a phonetic Vietnamese term that means “fashionable, high-maintenance, girly.” Her pieces have been worn three times on the reality TV show “The Bachelorette.”
Threadless Chicago
The internet-born design shop known for screen-printed graphic T-shirts started in 2000. It recently expanded its product line to include other apparel, accessories, home decor and more.
Wybo Design Chicago
Owner Ann Wybo says the wonders of her grandmother’s jewelry box inspired her to create her jewelry and trademarked “Glamdana” scarves.