Evil Kitty

Lidia Wachowska Proves That “Evil” Can be Fashionable  

It’s a character. It's a label. It's an alternate side of creator Lidia Wachowska’s personality.

“I created Evil Kitty as part of a project while I was in college, studying graphic design. It was originally part of a digital collage made with Photoshop, but eventually I put the image on t-shirts and stickers, and people just loved them.”   


This merchandise was so popular that Lidia continued producing it after college, even though she never intended to become a designer. “I had always designed clothing for myself, and I loved to dress in a unique, original way, but I never imagined that fashion would end up being my career,” she claims. “It all started with the simple t-shirts, but after a few years Evil Kitty turned into a proper clothing company.”   

“Evil Kitty represents the rebellious side of me, but with a classic twist,” says Lidia. “I'm always going to extremes with fashion, and mixing different eras and sources.” For inspiration, she closely follows what teenagers and young people are wearing, including Japanese street style.  

The line shows some punk and urban influences, along with more classic styles reminiscent of the forties and fifties, such as pencil dresses and circle skirts. “I could imagine someone like Rose McGowan or Gwen Stefani wearing my clothes because they have a similar funky sense of style.”   

“I wear a lot of Evil Kitty myself – it’s the best kind of promotion. Because people notice the character, I'll get stopped on the street and asked about my clothes.”

In fact, when she first got started, Lidia was her own fit model and best advertisement, and she is still thrilled that she has the opportunity to design everything she always wanted to wear but couldn’t find in stores.  

Fortunately, other people want to wear the same things she does.

Some of her best sellers include pullover hoodies and patterned tees featuring the Evil Kitty logo, but she is branching out into brightly printed dresses, shrugs, and skirts. “I was so happy when leggings came back because they make it easier to sell miniskirts. I like skinny jeans too – they’re very rock ’n’ roll paired with Converse sneakers.”   

Lidia is an excellent example of how determination and hard work can make great things happen. “I would tell any aspiring designers to do what they love and stick to it. The fashion industry is notoriously tough, but if you really have the passion you can make it,” she advises. “Use all the resources you have. Wear your own work. Get your friends and family to wear your work. Get the word out any way you can!”   

Lidia is also a big fan of Mayor Daley’s programs that support Chicago fashion, saying, “They're really helping to create more support and services for local designers.”  

You can check out and purchase Lidia's latest creations at www.evilkitty.net, or at Wolfbait & B-Girls in Logan Square.

Evil Kitty also prowls at local shopping events like Gen Art Shop CHICago and Red Hot Chicago.

 

 

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Photos courtesy of Evil Kitty.

SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer – J. Zenn.

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Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews. Publ.  05/07.