Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

FASHION Jack Cave, turning accessories into art
by Andrew Davis, Windy City Times
2019-12-10

This article shared 4863 times since Tue Dec 10, 2019
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Jack Cave—a Chicago-based artist, designer, instructor and the founder of Jack Cave LLC—definitely makes articles that help the wearer stand out from the crowd. Items such as PocketART, NeckART, WaistART and even BagART combine boldness and style.

Cave recently talked with Windy City Times about his life, fashion and art.

Windy City Times: How did you become in fashion, and how did you end up in Chicago? [Cave is from Missouri.]

Jack Cave: I was in corporate for about 30 years, but it started when I attended the Kansas City Art Institute. I worked at Hallmark while I was in school, and it blossomed from there. I was in painting and fine art at first—but as I was doing that, I realized I wasn't really going to make any money. [Laughs] Someone at Hallmark saw my sketches, and asked me if I do those for them. I then went into marketing and creative marketing.

I moved to Chicago in 2006. I really wanted to get out of corporate and start a consulting business. Plus, my brother was living here at the time and wanted me to come to Chicago—and I liked Chicago.

Then, 2007 hit—and [the national financial crisis] killed me. Doing what I wanted to do seemed difficult; my clients, who were Fortune 500 companies, pulled their contracts. I then started focusing on my art, and decided that's what I wanted to do—and I started rebuilding myself.

WCT: And you did it through fashion?

JC: And I did it through fashion. I decided to go into accessories, although I had been involved in clothing. I participated in different shows, like during Fashion Week; those went really well. The one thing lacking in Chicago and the Midwest, though, is buyers; they tend to be in New York and L.A.

WCT: Let's talk about those accessories. How would you characterize your items? What would make someone say, "Oh, yeah—that's a Jack Cave piece?"

JC: I would say it's very eclectic and European. There are a lot of luxury fabrics—and I only deal with luxury materials because I like how they handle. That would distinguish a Jack Cave piece. [Note: Cave later texted, "Another characteristic of my accessories is that they are non-gender-specific."]

WCT: And, on the flip side, what's the typical Jack Cave client?

JC: I would say that individual wants to be first in line. They don't fall within traditional parameters. They like to have a certain flair about how they present themselves.

Even individuals who don't have the money will save money to buy one of my pieces. That's the kind of person I want—because they know the pieces are one of a kind. I want to be known as having one-offs.

WCT: By the way, I notice you teach at the School of the Art Institute. What are your classes?

JC: I teach fabrication and materials, and spacial habitats [which explores methods and processes for research, planning, and production leading up to the installation of a body of work] as well as advanced shape and garments.

I learn so much from the students. I teach them, but they feed me with how they see things. Things are so different now! It's technology; I learn how to store information, but they learn how to use a pencil. You can't do everything on a computer or phone.

Also, here are some fast facts about Cave:

—Neighborhood of residence: Irving Park

—Favorite snack: "Oh, my God—key lime pie is my favorite. But, snack-wise, probably candy—especially chocolate."

—If you could have dinner with any three people ( living or dead ), who would they be?: "They would be Commes de Garcons designer Rei Kawakubo, Michelle Obama and my father."

—Influences: "Japanese style and skateboard culture"

—What is fashion to you?: "As a designer, fashion, to me, is anything I would wear. I would wear any of my stuff. What I'm selling is my vision."

Facility Fall-a-Faire, featuring Jack Cave and other artists, will open Thursday, Dec. 12, 5-9 p.m., and will continue Dec. 13-15, noon-5 p.m., at 3616 N. Milwaukee Ave. See FacilityChicago.org . For more about Cave's designs, visit JackCaveLLC.com .


This article shared 4863 times since Tue Dec 10, 2019
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

STRUT marks World AIDS Day with 14th Annual Fashion Show 2023-12-05
- On Dec. 3, John Fleming and Madman Productions presented the 14th annual STRUT fashion show at Joe's on Weed Street, 940 W. Weed St. As in previous years, the standing room only show was a fundraiser, ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars down Houston 3-0 2023-08-06
- In local pro women's soccer action, the Chicago Red Stars closed the UKG Challenge Cup play in historic fashion with three goals all assisted by defender Casey Krueger, blanking the Houston Dash 3-0 on Aug. 5 ...


Gay News

Stefanie Clark reflects on life as a both a fashion model and senior advocate 2023-06-15
- An oft-repeated quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald—usually taken out-of-context—suggests that "there are no second acts in American lives." Local activist—and, as of lately, model— Stefanie Clark has been putting a ...


Gay News

Viktor Luna moonlights once again on Project Runway 2023-06-14
- Out and proud fashion designer Viktor Luna returns for more challenges in the upcoming season 20 of Project Runway. The Emmy Award-winning competition series has assembled 14 designers from its past, with Christian Siriano serving as ...


Gay News

Chicago House welcomes spring with 'Secret Garden' event 2023-05-12
- On May 7, Chicago House presented its annual spring fashion brunch, this year titled The Secret Garden, in the Winter Green Ballroom of the Harold Washington Library. The annual event, which some now regard as the ...


Gay News

Billy Porter discusses his fashion choices, personal ambitions 2023-01-30
- Billy Porter—the Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner—needs no introduction—especially to the many fans of his character Pray Tell on Ryan Murphy's hit TV series Pose. Coming up exclusively in theaters Feb. 3, Porter will star as ...


Gay News

WORLD Murder suspect arrested, Israeli official, conversion therapy, couple's win 2023-01-08
- Kenyan authorities arrested a suspect in the death of fashion designer/LGBTQ+-rights activist Edwin Chiloba after his body was found dumped in a metal box by the roadside near the town of Eldoret, according to CNN. Last ...


Gay News

Annual STRUT event shines spotlight on World AIDS Day 2022-12-07
- On the evening of Nov. 4, the annual STRUT fashion show celebrated its 13th edition at Joe's on Weed St. As in the past, STRUT shined its spotlight on up-and-coming young fashion designers while raising funds for ...


Gay News

Chicago History Museum holds special screening, panel discussion 2022-11-07
- The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum presented a special screening of the Youtube Originals series Supreme Models: The Documentary and a panel with an array of A-list fashion industry panelists. Among the participants were ...


Gay News

Chicago History Museum to host 'Supreme Models' screening Nov. 4 2022-10-19
- The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum will host the official Midwest screening of Supreme Models and an exclusive in-person celebration on Friday, Nov. 4, 5:30-9:30 p.m. at The Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark ...


Gay News

FashionBar hosting Chicago Fashion Week, PFLAG conference 2022-10-01
- Fashion Bar announced that it's hosting Chicago Fashion Week. The shows will take place Oct. 16-23 at Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave. Additionally, FashionBar will host the. PFLAG Northern Illinois conference at Water Tower ...


Gay News

Chicago Fashion Week taking place April 24-May 1 2022-04-19
- FashionBar, LLC announced Chicago Fashion Week will take place April 24-May 1 on the third floor of Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave. Some of the shows will include "Emerging Students" (April 26), "Trans, Media ...


Gay News

Designs for Dignity gala on May 19 2022-04-19
- Designs for Dignity's annual fundraising gala, "Spirit of Design," will take place Thursday, May 19, 6-10 p.m., and will celebrate more than 20 years of impact on Chicago's nonprofit community. The event will take place at ...


Gay News

Chicago Fashion Week April 24 to May 1 2022-04-05
-- From a press release - CHICAGO — FashionBar, LLC is pleased to announce Chicago Fashion Week powered by FashionBar LLC, scheduled from April 24th to May 1st at Water Tower Place on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. FashionBar is proud to celebrate this ...


Gay News

LGBTQIA+-focused talent group launches in Orlando, Chicago and Miami 2022-03-31
- Orlando-based experiential marketing company, 82 South, Inc., has launched MODE (Made on Diversity and Equality) Talent Group this month to promote LGBTQIA+ and other underrepresented talent for bookings in fashion ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.