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University of Maine students frequent downtown Orono for food and drink, but not necessarily for fun, sustainable and affordable style. Jessi Sader, owner of Studio clothing store, is trying to change this with her inclusive fashion options.
It is hard not to notice the life-size mannequins, clad in antique lace and jersey wrap dresses, at the top of the hill approaching the Mill Street intersection. The Studio logo — painted in bold, white paint — is striking. Bright colors, chunky textiles and antique laces inside the store beg to be admired and touched, while Sader’s vintage Singer sewing machine whirs away. Studio’s one-year anniversary is this week.
Studio — Sader’s workshop, studio and showcase for other local artisans — is home to her clothing line FX Dressed, dubbed “hippie romance.” Studio and FX Dressed demand is so high, Sader recently hired a sales representative to showcase her work in the northeast region. She has been a featured designer in downtown Bangor’s Bella Luna and at Bar Harbor’s Macey’s, as well as other boutiques from Biddeford to Winterport. In addition to boutiques, Sader is a member of the Maine Etsy Guild and does much of her business online. Etsy is a Web site for people to buy and sell handmade items.
“I’ve … picked up other clothing and am turning into more of a full-service clothing store,” Sader said.
With a sales representative as extra motivation, Sader is working hard for March, when she will announce her fall and winter 2010 line. In order to be “mobilized and organized” for next fall and winter, Sader is increasing production to meet demand and display at trade shows.
An Orono native and self-described “townie,” Sader envisioned a small business where she could combine her work studio with a retail store environment.
She said customers still enter the store surprised and unaware of the store’s existence.
“[Studio’s] definitely good for the local economy,” said Aya Mares, a Studio model and collaborator and third-year UMaine student.
Mares said, despite having lived in Orono for 13 years, she had never set foot in any of the previous stores occupying the space until Studio opened up. She described the location’s previous store windows and displays as dim and uninviting.
“[Sader] doesn’t keep the windows separate from the rest of the shop,” Mares said, describing Studio’s eye-catching window mannequins and their regularly changed ensembles. Sader has even used live window mannequins in the past to attract attention.
“[Studio’s] so new and so refreshing and right in the intersection of town,” Mares said.
“She’s willing to encourage creativity in the community.”
Third-year student Emma Thieme sews a few hours a week for Sader and now has her own line of Studio-featured accessories — mostly bracelets and embellished, crocheted headbands.
“She lets me take free rein. It’s really nice of her,” Thieme said of Sader’s encouragement and support. “She knows Orono needs a place where things are affordable. She doesn’t mark up to MSRP, and she sells at what [the prices] should be. She understands the budget of a typical student.”
“I like to support local [business],” Sader said.
She described her average customer as female, between the age 25 and 50 and “post-college with salary,” but said there is something for everyone in her shop.
In addition to FX Dressed, Sader carries makeup, gifts, jewelry, buttons and other accessories by featured local artisans, as well as some of her own tea and herbal products.
A blue “vintage closet” is closer to the back of the store by the fitting rooms and filled with purchases from a Boston-area apparel auction. Sader makes the trip on a bi-weekly basis, as an antiques apparel dealer. She regularly competes with movie costume designers and New York City vintage shop owners for the best pieces and prices.
To the right of the vintage closet is Sader’s limited-edition recycled line.
Her mountain of textile scraps and “yo-yos” speak to her efforts. Yo-yos are floral-like embellishments sewn onto select apparel items, made from recycled fabrics. Below a table of hair barrettes is a basket of felted balls of wool. Using recycled scraps of wool, Sader makes toys for children and pets.
Studio’s increasing scope of production as well as its establishment in Orono gives Sader hope for the future. Ideally, she would like Studio to become a full-service retail shop where she can represent her line, as well as those of others and to have her work space elsewhere. She wants to further establish and standardize FX Dressed so that apparel items can be patterned, cut and sewn by others. Studio’s ideal setup would afford her more time to design and promote.
Studio will host a trunk show Dec. 13. For more information, check out Studio’s Facebook group, FXDressed on Etsy.com or FXDressed.com.
