Columbus, OH-based Clothing Designer Liz Bourgeois to be Featured in Martha Stewart Whole Living

Sept. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Columbus, OH -  Liz Bourgeois, founder of up-cycled children's clothing line Team Chipmunk, is slated for a Q&A feature in next month's Martha Stewart Whole Living magazine.  Discussing her creative inspirations, sewing techniques and secret fabric sources, Liz also appears in a photo with her two children - her main muses!

Chosen for its blend of classic patterns, heirloom details and sustainable values, Team Chipmunk clothes are made from up-cycled textiles and garments.  Whether cut and sewn from a bolt of 1960's wool found at an estate sale or stitched together from vintage t-shirts, all fabrics used in the creation of Team Chipmunk garments use only the resources of design and labor.  Compared to the 1000+ gallons of water needed to produce an average garment, Team Chipmunk clothes have a neutral or better carbon footprint.

Now based in Columbus, Ohio, Liz previously worked as a costume designer in New York City and Los Angeles, working both on Broadway and on avant garde productions.  Whether designing experimental works at LaMama and Mabou Mines or working as the associate designer for the Tony-award winning Avenue Q, Liz always had to create memorable patterns, source amazing fabrics and turn even low budgets into glamorous shows.

After having children and putting her professional career on hold, Liz channeled her creative energy into creating costumes and clothes for her little ones.  After other moms showed interest in her designs, she looked into creating a children's line.  She knew the enormous ecological cost of manufacturing new fabric, leading her to create a line solely made from up-cycled textiles.

Since its launch in 2010, Team Chipmunk has garnered the interest of Martha Stewart Whole Living and has been selected for juried fairs in Columbus, OH (ARTillery Earth Day, Eco-Chic Craftacular, Craftin' Outlaws); Brooklyn, NY (Renegade Craft Fair); Nashville, TN (Porter Flea) and Chicago, IL (Renegade Craft Fair).  Features in Columbus Alive and the Ohio News Network have highlighted both the high-end classic designs and the sustainable manufacturing model.

Expanding to fill a growing demand, Team Chipmunk now employs several independent artisans in the Columbus area to sew and stitch the handmade garments.  A growing, small Ohio business, Team Chipmunk hopes to provide jobs to the skilled seamstresses of the region.  Instead of outsourcing overseas, Liz is hoping to establish a combined retail and production space in Columbus.

The next Columbus show for Team Chipmunk will be the Craftin' Outlaws Alternative Craft Fair on October 15th at the Gateway Film Center.  Their clothes are featured daily at Wholly Craft on N. High St. and every Thursday at the Easton Farmers Market through the end of September.  This holiday season, look for their dresses, coats and knickers at the Celebrate Local store at Easton Town Center.

Team Chipmunk produces eco-friendly children’s clothing with careful and timeless detailing. Classic heirloom tailoring on dresses, shirts, and shorts. One of a kind styling constructed exclusively from up-cycled and organic materials with original screen-printed graphics. Designed with a breath of fresh air and an eye for the pastoral. Made for Alice to climb down rabbit holes, Peter Pan to fight pirates, and Tom Sawyer to walk through the woods barefoot.  For more information, please visit http://www.teamchipmunk.com.

Contact:
Hays Hitzing, Director of Marketing
hays@teamchipmunk.com
Ph: 614-388-8758

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Team Chipmunk produces eco-friendly children’s clothing with heriloom detailing. Classic tailoring on dresses, shirts, and shorts. One of a kind styling constructed exclusively from upcycled and organic materials with original screen-printed graphics.