Paws up, claws out

by Allie

An “Evil Kitten” is all of the following: playful, flirty, punky, fun, and mischievous. At least that’s what Lidia Wachowska, mastermind behind the clothing line Evil Kitty, imagined when designing her collection. Characterized by flirty tutu skirts, dresses adorned with grommets and safety pins, and tee shirts with appliques of the devilish kitty, the line is anything but ordinary. However, Evil Kitty isn’t just a trend to pick up if you’re going for an unconventional look. It is homegrown Chicago fashion that has gone from a concept to an internationally sold line.

As a Polish native, Wachowska won a green card in a contest, traveled to the United States, and settled in Chicago at the age of nineteen. From here, she planted her roots with a dream to work in the creative field, though she was not sure which particular path to choose. Although she attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she did not take a single class in fashion design. Instead, she focused on painting and graphic design. It was there that she envisioned the devilish Evil Kitty. Wachowska explains, “I created a 1 minute public service announcement warning parents against Evil Kitty. ‘Parents Beware! Your teenage kids are in danger. One single exposure to this ferocious feline can be fatal,’ warned the narrator. Since then, Evil Kitty has become my muse and inspiration.”

The rebellious attitude of the “Evil Kitten” is reflected in the flirty-punk style of Evil Kitty. Wachowska uses materials that are easy to clean, yet look luxurious such as satin and tulle. Cute skulls and crossbones adorn the featured pink skirt and after seeing this design, I knew that this line isn’t for the average Jane. Wachowska states that the line is designed for ” women who like to stand out in the crowd; women who are not stuck on latest trends, but instead they develop their own original style,” which is exactly what this skirt has to offer. Her newest line features classic silhouettes, lacy details, and sleek styles. Each each piece in her collection is hand sewn which makes each design a work of art. These higher end garments will  have you saying “meow!” when you check how you look in the mirror!

Since its launch in 2005, Evil Kitty has grown and attracted a following in not only the United States, but internationally as well. Three years later, Wachowska was hand-picked by Toyota as one of four designers to be sponsored and given a great design space called the Creative Lounge in Wicker Park in order to cultivate local fashion design. Wachowska utilizes the space by curating events such as poetry slams to further benefit the art scene in Chicago.

If you like to support independent fashion and have an evil eye on girly-punk styles, check out her site here, or one of the many boutiques across the country that feature Evil Kitty. You can also stop by the Creative Lounge for custom fitting and ordering, but make sure you make an appointment first by emailing her at evilkitty666@mac.com!