The Checkroom sells coats built to last
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Photo: Courtesy of Liz Williams
When Liz Williams couldn't find a new winter coat after hers was at the end of its long life, the Oak Park designer made her own — and launched a new business.
Why it matters: Shoppers are moving away from fast fashion, seeking ways to replace cheaply and unethically made clothes with high-quality, well-crafted items with a long lifespan.
Backstory: Williams found that most of the coats off the rack were polyester — not dependable, well-made wool.
- As a former theater costumer, seamstress and designer, Williams had the skill set to create her own high-quality coat.
- After receiving lots of compliments on her creation, Williams launched The Checkroom.
What to expect: The designer and her team handmake every coat with wool sourced from Connecticut and ranches in the West.
- Each coat takes about four weeks to make.
- The Checkroom sells Sizes XXS to 1X, and coats range in price from $950 to $1,250.
What they're saying: Customers say "they love something that feels like clothes used to feel," Williams tells Axios.
- "When someone's like, 'Oh my gosh, the quality exceeded my expectations. This reminded me of the coats my mom used to have or my grandma used to have.' That's my favorite kind of feedback to get that I do get a lot, and that makes me know that, like, I'm on the right track."
What's next: The Checkroom will be featured with other local designers Friday and Saturday as part of a Warehouse Sale at Sophia Reyes Design in North Center.