Creatures of The Wind was founded in 2007 by Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters. Both are graduates of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where they were trained in fashion design, concept and theory. Gabier worked under Dirk Schonberger and Jurgi Persoons, as a design assistant and pattern cutter. He is currently a full-time professor at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Department of Fashion Design. Peters was formerly a studio assistant to artist and designer Nick Cave, focusing on intricate hand work and construction of Cave’s Sound Suits. CoTW proposes a personal and distinct point of view and offers a unique voice in the American fashion market, endeavoring to create a collection that balances conceptual and theoretical aspirations with commercial viability. Both Gabier and Peters take a hands-on approach to the development of every collection, draping and patterning the majority of the collection themselves. Domestic production, high-quality fabrics and conscientious business practices are integral considerations to the company.
Their first collection, Fall 2008, consisted of eight women’s looks and six men’s looks and appeared on the cover of WWD in June 2008. With each subsequent season, focusing solely on women’s wear, the collection has continued to develop a refinement of silhouettes and materials employing couture laces and trims, English milled woolens and knitwear made in Antwerp. CoTW has collaborated with Erickson Beamon to develop jewelry for Spring 2011 and Spring 2012, and with Tabitha Simmons to develop shoes for Fall 2011 and Fall 2012.
The collection has been presented seasonally during New York Fashion Week since September 2009. In June 2011, CoTW was presented with the Chicago Fashion Group International’s Rising Star award. Creatures of The Wind was named CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund runner-up winner in November 2011 and in March 2012, received a nomination for the CFDA 2012 Swarovski Award for Womenswear.
Creatures of The Wind is based in Chicago, Illinois.
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