Independent stylist and redesigner Redgi Woods has been serving Chicago unique fashion creations for the past four years. His praised clothing line, ReFINDefined, is a collection of reworked vintage items sure to inspire even the most skeptical fashion critic. Stylists aren’t just for celebrities and politicians. Knowing a great local style consultant will keep your personal closet from growing stale and dated. Redgi tailors looks for each client using luxurious vintage pieces, repurposed materials, and his own creative expertise.
Every second Friday (yes, tomorrow too!), join Redgi and ReFINDefined for a night of shopping, fashion, art, music, and handcrafted cocktails at the Greenhouse Collective Gallery in Pilsen. Think of it as fashion’s answer to Second Fridays, the Chicago Arts District’s monthly gallery and studio event. During last month’s event, Redgi sat down with me and explained how he found his niche in a city full of fashion.
On changing course from a career in theater to a life in fashion design and consulting
“When you’re younger people always ask you what you want to be. Well, I knew I wanted to be happy. That’s my goal in life – to be happy. I realized early on that the aspect of theater I loved the most, which made me happiest, were the costume creations. That moment when a character goes offstage, and in a blink of an eye returns with a new costume and new personality, that is what I had a passion for creating.”
On how he describes his work
“I am not a tailor by any means. I’m a redesigner. I find pleasure in the reconstruction of a piece. I’ve had clients bring items to me for alterations and I’ll let them know that’s not what I do. Chicago is full of great tailors. I love to take items and create something new.”
(Watch what happens when ChiTown Fashionista raids Redgi’s Closet)
On how he’s perfecting his craft
“I attended Columbia University and focused on Fashion Marketing and Fashion Design. But I’ve learned much from just watching others and taking pieces apart. Once I take a garment apart and study the pattern, I know how to rework it and make it into something unique.” (Out of respect, Redgi never redesigns couture clothing.)
On his gallery
“This is a collective gallery, not only featuring my ReFINDefined collection. I love for other artists to come and showcase their art for one to three months. I purposely created this space as a home setting so that people can come and practically see how each piece of art would work in their own home.”
Thank you Redgi for a wonderful evening and some amazing whiskey cider (recipe to come)! For a chance to display your work at Second Friday at The Greenhouse contact Redgi Woods at ReFINDefined@gmail.com.
Greenhouse Collective Gallery
1447 W. 17th Street, Chicago IL 60608 Featured Image: Tresawesome.com Gallery Image of Redgi Woods: ChiTown Fashionista