This used to be mainstream…
The Fast fashion industry model has only existed for around 35 years. What came before?
Intention. Time. Care. Consideration of individual sensory needs, sizing, and style. Clothing that was made to measure, felt good on your body, and lasted as treasured family heirlooms (that were often passed on well after their original owner’s lifespan).
At Chopp Shop, we believe in bringing back a slow fashion model that prioritizes quality and customer value over corporate profit. Good work takes time and we take that time with every bespoke piece, start to finish.
Once upon a time not so long ago, your clothes were made just for you.
What Sets Us Apart
Our lived experiences as trans & gender non-conforming artists shape everything we do. That means prioritizing your comfort, consent, and safety.
Going to the Atelier should be an experience that comes with a spark of excitement, not anxiety that your pronouns, boundaries, and body won’t be respected.
Secondary to that? We are, frankly, the best trans tailors and trans costume designers for stage in the DMV. If your imagination has brought you the dream, we can bring it to life. Our portfolio is varied because our specialty is one of a kind looks.
Bespoke designers for drag means You’re never going to see another queen wearing the same bodysuit at the pageant.
Bespoke costumes for burlesque means creating iconic, legendary acts that aren’t ever copied - just referenced.
Curating a bespoke capsule wardrobe as a gender non-conforming or trans person means finally getting dressed with ease each morning and living with more gender euphoria all day.
We’re here for a good time and a long time! That means building relationships with clients that last. We promise once you experience the custom design & tailoring process? You’ll never just ‘shop’ for your clothing again!
People-First Approach
Everything we do is built around understanding your needs and helping you get the best possible results from your finished piece. That means fit consultations, professional measurements, style boards, sketches, textile swatches, and muslin test garments are all available tools as part of our detailed design process.
A Focus on Quality
We think details matter, so we employ the same techniques used in elite design houses such as French seams, horsehair braid hems, individually drafted and proprietary patterns, hand-sewn appliques, & steel corset boning.
Exclusve materials
We spend hours digging through yard sale bins, estate sales, vintage deadstock, and honestly, our friends’ closets to find the most unique collection of fabrics, notions, and trims for our clients. As finding qUALITY FABRICS BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT and expensive, we are continually working to rescue one of a kind remnants that make your wardrobe intentional and sustainable.
industry-insider perspective
We bring structure where it counts and adaptability where it matters. With lengthy experience as performing artists ourselves in a variety of contexts, we are uniquely suited to creating costumes for stage, drag, and burlesque. We can think from the dresser, producer, and performer points of view for costumes that are as functional as they are unforgettable.
