Amy Peterson and Diana Russel of Rebel Nell

Amy Peterson and Diana Russel founded Rebel Nell with the desire to dig into their community. They work directly with local shelters and employ disadvantaged women in Detroit. While working at Rebel Nell, the women are strengthened with new skills and knowledge to help as they transition to an independent life.

The crew gets together and gathers chips of graffiti that have fallen off walls around the city. After taking the discarded bits through their top secret process, layers and layers of color and paint being to emerge in beautiful patterns. Then the pieces are turned into wearable art. You can shop the collection here.

Artistic skills aren’t the only thing being taught at Rebel Nell. There are also classes available on empowerment, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and a day to day support system. This self-sustaining social enterprise is a tight-knit group of women. It’s a family where creativity spurs on growth and friendships help establish a new way of life.

Andrea Eckert of Holding House

A leader is someone who steps up when they see a need that hasn’t been met. Andrea Eckert, Detroit artist who taught us about solar screen printing, is doing just that. She bought an old building on Motor City’s well-known Michigan Avenue and is in the process of gutting and refurbishing it into a studio and exhibition center for the surrounding area. Not too far from a few popular digs like Slows and Astro Coffee, this much needed community space will continue to add to the movement to revitalize downtown Detroit. Holding House will be an environment for all creative faculties, a place where multigenerational participants will engage, design, produce, and learn.

Andrea wears many hats. She’s an artist, a mother, a wife, a leader in her community, a groundbreaker who seizes opportunities to better the quality of life, and she’s a blast to be around. I think women often feel the need to multitask and fill as many roles as life demands. What’s cool is when those roles overlap in a beneficial way to urge creativity, bring people together, and breath a new life into the makers’ spirit. Stay tuned as Andrea continues to make progress on Holding House. We’ll keep you updated.

Check out what Andrea’s work gear. The last thing you want to worry about is stains or hurting your clothes when you’re on a nitty gritty job site. Get something sturdy, like the Canvas Dungaree. It’s mostly cotton with a bit of spandex, so it’s built tough and you can still move around easily. If you’re really going to be doing some heavy lifting, Carhartt Force is exactly what you need. It’s fabric is sweat wicking, stain repellent, and fights odors. When you need to keep warm, try the Clarksburg Sweatshirt. It’s comfy, durable, and slightly fitted. You may be working, but you’ll still look good. And don’t forget the gloves. We can all use an extra pair of gloves lying around. 

Karen Gage and Kelli Kavanaugh of Wheelhouse in Detroit

Karen Gage and Kelli Kavanaugh started Wheelhouse on Detroit’s historic river walk in 2008. Their goal was to reintroduce the charm and expediency of bike rentals in the area. With different tours around the city and neighborhoods, you get the chance to see some great parts of Detroit and exercise a bit. The women really care about their customers. They’ll even custom create a bike tour to fit your tastes. If you want to get in a good work out or just a leisurely ride that’s more about sight-seeing, Karen and Kelli have you covered. The next time you’re in Motor City, you have to check this place out. Karen and Kelli are lively, competent, and want to help you experience the beautiful side of Detroit.

check out what the women are wearing: Women’s Norfolk Henley, Women’s Stockbridge Sweatshirt, & Women’s Rockford Insulated Windbreaker / Longsleeve Signature T-Shirt, Women’s Annapolis Long-Sleeve Shirt, & Women’s Southold Jacket

Joan from Windy City Harvest

Joan is one skilled woman. She has a background in carpentry and currently teaches environmental literacy at Windy City Harvest in Chicago. WCH is a program sponsored by Chicago Botanical Garden to train adults in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture. From building hoop houses to compost pens, Joan’s carpentry background plays well into her new position at the farm. It’s always cool to look back and see how your past paves the way for your future. Each skill you gain can only help you be a more dimensional person. Always keep learning and working.

Check Carhartt women’s clothes that can help you get the job done.

Carmella of City Farm in Chicago

Fresh fruits and veggies, right in the middle of the city! City Farm in Chicago takes land that isn’t being used and turns into a productive space. It’s all about sustainability, healthy living, and giving back to the community. This is Carmella, lover of the outdoors. She’s worked at City Farm for the past 3 seasons. Sun kissed skin is proof that working in the midst of nature is good for the body and soul. Carmella always finds a way to work outside, even in the dead of Chicago winters. That’s determination. When it comes down to it, we’d all rather be working in dirt that stuck in a cubicle. Who better to help you get the job done than Carhartt? Carmella is sporting Carhartt Force. A new line that is stain resistant, repels odor, and sweat wicking. It’s perfect for those summer days with your knees firmly planted in the mud while you harvest a beautiful batch of tomatoes.

Carhartt in Portland

I’ve been in Portland the past few days meeting some awesome Carhartt women. What I love most about this beautiful city is that it’s a good mix of metropolitan and nature. It’s easy to be a foodie, a music lover, and an outdoor adventurer. If you’re in the area, check out the Carhartt store. (And grab a rain jacket. You’ll probably need it.)

Emily of City Bird in Detroit

Carhartt has always been proud of their Michigan roots. So it’s a good fit for seventh-generation Detroiter Emily, co-owner of City Bird. City Bird is a shop that sells all things Detroit. It’s a beautiful ode to the historic city. Emily also recently collaborated on an Insider’s Guide to Detroit. It’s filled with over 1,000 of The Motor City’s attractions, sites, institutions, events, restaurants, bars, shops, and oddities. Not only is the guide jammed full of priceless info, it’s also filled with Emily’s gorgeous illustrations. You’ve gotta check it out!

Carhartt in Chicago Loop

I’m super excited Carhartt is opening a new location in downtown Chicago! It has a textile theme and a great vibe. There’s a pool table in the back and all sorts of odds and ends to look at. The grand opening will be tomorrow night from 7-9pm on 18 South Wabash Avenue. There are all sorts of festivities planned for the evening. If you’re in the area, come on down. Be one of the first 150 people there and you’ll get an exclusive shirt designed by Paige Foley. Hope to see you there!