Howe is an artist who originally worked in sculpture and photography, eventually moving toward textiles as a medium and dress forms as a canvas. The impeccably tailored wares in Matrushka Construction reflect her past, and are in the same design family as handmade screen-printed T-shirts and lovingly knit scarves you might find at punky do-it-yourself craft fairs like Felt Club and Bazaar Bizarre.
What’s in-store? A cozy black turtleneck sweater showcases a vintage edge with a ’70s stripe, and shiny raw-silk party dresses that will still look fabulous next holiday season. For men, there's a rack of vintage button-down shirts and blazers adorned with screen-prints of quirky bikes and natural curiosities like moose and seahorses. Adding a gallery feel, on the walls (and ceiling) are fine artworks, part of rotating monthly exhibitions. Not to be missed are the semi-biannual T-shirt construction parties where shoppers can choose a T-shirt color and size, customize the shirt--assembly line–style--with patches that relate to the night's theme, and then see it sewn live. You can also personalize whole outfits by choosing your own templates and fabrics. Finally, for those of you looking for something unique-to-go, many of the items in-store are one-of-a-kind or made in limited runs, and alterations can be made on the spot.
Says Howe, “If you don’t see something in your size, we can make it for you.”
