With the creation of the Art to Ware pop-up shop, the Creative Cookie team has been graced with so many new faces to get the shop up and running. Today, I am so happy to share a little bit about each person who has worked tirelessly to make the pop-up shop happen. Each member of the Art to Ware team talks about what the pop-up shop means to them and why they chose to get involved with this one-of-a-kind opportunity.
Christine Jiwon Ra
CC: Tell us a bit about yourself and what is your role in the store?
CJR: My name is Christine Jiwon Ra. I am a South Korean creative born in Seoul and raised in London, Hong Kong, and Tokyo with a degree in Fashion Design and Fine Art from Parsons School of Design in New York. I am in charge of the visual display/interior design of the store and am curating the space to make it feel like a beautifully considered "gallery meets retail" experience. I am also a consigned artist at Art To Ware, selling my ceramic and wire sculptures and wearable art, as well as my own paintings.
CC: Why did you want to be a part of Art to Ware? What drew you to it?
CJR: I met Lesley through a Fashion Design course taught at Parsons Academy on Saturdays, and upon showing the middle school students some of my own work, she approached me to get involved with this pop-up store. I was incredibly excited by the idea of not only uplifting a small business with a focus on highlighting sustainable brands but also to meet and work closely with an inspiring team of all women/POC creatives like myself.
CC: What does the store mean to you?
CJR: I believe we need to be both inventive and creative in exploring more sustainable and ethical avenues in fashion. My way of doing so is to tackle the paradigm of the thoughtless consumer mindset that relies on continually replenishing one’s wardrobe. I am collaborating with Nuuly to release my line of one-of-a-kind, handmade garments upcycled from donated garments (to be released June 3rd). Honoring each garment and not only the physical labor that goes into them but also thinking carefully about the sourcing of each material used is paramount to shift the behaviors toward the throwaway culture of today’s average consumer. This Art To Ware exclusive collection is created with a focus on using pre and post-consumer 'less than ground zero' waste destined to be thrown away as a material and making sure each item in my customer’s wardrobe to have transcendental value through artisanal design through encouraging meaningful relationships between a garment and a consumer.
Rachael Stein
CC: Tell us a bit about yourself and what is your role in the store?
RS: I'm the General Manager of Special Events for Art to Ware! I love planning events that promote community, bring awareness to big issues like sustainability and equity in fashion, and leave people feeling inspired and empowered to make a change. I'm looking forward to working on some exciting events at Art to Ware, many of which will be in collaboration with the talented designers and artists featured in the shop. Stay tuned!
CC: Why did you want to be a part of Art to Ware? What drew you to it?
RS: Lesley and I connected last year over our shared passion for representation and equity in the worlds of sustainability and fashion, so when she asked me to join the Art to Ware team, it was a no-brainer! I'm excited to be working with a diverse group of women to bring this unique pop-up experience to life.
CC: What does the store mean to you?
RS: For me, Art to Ware means empowering diverse and independent designers and elevating fashion that is truly environmentally conscious.
Tomy Grein
CC: Tell us a bit about yourself and what is your role in the store?
TG: Hi! My name is Tomy Olivier-Grein & I am a multi-faceted artist based in Bushwick. I own & operate my own line specializing in pearl jewelry called Common Exchange. I will be working in the store every Thursday, and am excited to also have opportunities in assisting in the graphic design aspect of the store/brand!
CC: Why did you want to be a part of Art to Ware? What drew you to it?
TG: My neighbor, Roxy, works for Lesley’s husband. I was over at her apartment telling her how I really wanted to get another job but I was having a hard time committing to anything I didn’t feel excited about. It was basically divine timing because the next day she called me and told me about Art to Ware, and that they were hiring! I am very much committed to the economic advancement of women of color, as well as the concept of leaving our Earth in a better condition than what we inherited.
CC: What does the store mean to you?
TG: To me, Art to Ware is the future. All of our employees are women, we have queer women and women of color. When we talk to customers about stock, we can tell them exactly who is making them. We can answer questions other brands probably couldn’t, because of a system of transparency and a commitment to stray away from the kind of consumerism that impacts our planet & climate. I think that is something really special. Lastly, it doesn’t feel like I’m an “employee” of someone else most of the time. I genuinely feel excited to go to work, and it feels like we are ACTUALLY *a part of something* rather than simply working *for someone*. That’s really cool.
Kasey Lettrich
CC: Tell us a bit about yourself and what is your role in the store?
KL: My name is Kasey Lettrich and I am the General Manager of Communications for the Art to Ware pop-up shop. I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and am now a senior at West Virginia University studying journalism with minors in strategic social media and fashion merchandising. I started my journey with The Creative Cookie in November when I joined the team as the fashion journalism intern.
CC: Why did you want to be a part of Art to Ware? What drew you to it?
KL: I have enjoyed every minute of working for Lesley Ware as the Creative Cookie intern and knew that I wanted to be a part of whatever she created. When she announced that she was starting a pop-up shop I couldn’t have been more excited to get involved. This store is a place of acceptance and creativity and sustainability and I believe in everything that it stands for.
CC: What does the store mean to you?
KL: To me, Art to Ware is a platform for young creatives to get their name in the New York City scene. It is also a place where you can be accepted for whoever you are and buy things that support that image. It is a creative environment that is opening doors for so many people, myself included, and I couldn’t be more honored to be a part of it!
