By Aine Murphy Norris

 

A true Jane-of-all trades, Christie Thompson started Richmond Thread Lab two years ago as a hobby. After a successful season and run of men’s neckties, her one-woman business was born, providing handcrafted accessories unique and rich with detail and texture.

Unlike a typical design house, Richmond Thread Lab takes advantage of both new and vintage fabrics for its designs. Although vintage was Thompson’s preferred medium initially, selection limitations prompted an expansion into using newer fabrics.

“I only use vintage when I can find enough to create at least five pieces from it,” Thompson says. “I supplement this process by sourcing materials locally and online so the brand and line can grow with demand. This allows the vintage pieces to stand out in the line as truly limited run but also gives me an option to sell more of my other pieces.”

Richmond Thread Lab specializes in men’s neckties, focusing on natural fibers and texture-rich materials, rarely found for such accessories. “Regardless of material, I work in very limited quantities. I like to keep the uniqueness of each piece,” Thompson says.

Creating handcrafted men’s accessories in Richmond’s creative market definitely sets Thompson apart, she believes. “I’m not going to say I’m the only one trying to fill the gap in Richmond, but I know that I’m one of the few,” she says.  The world of handcrafted fashion is traditionally focused on women’s purses and couture accessories. As many small companies catering to men’s style and short runs of clothing and accessories are created, the market has opened up room for designers like Thompson who provide unique products.

“Attention to detail for men’s wear is more popular than ever and I’m working hard to provide a product that fits in that category,” the designer says. Richmond Thread Lab consistently has an offering of unique men’s ties, frequently short-run and crafted using vintage materials.

“One of my favorite ties I’ve created this past winter was from an incredible green and yellow wool gifted to me by a friend, courtesy of her mother’s fabric collection accumulated over the years. She had two yards of this luscious wool from the late ‘70s­,” says Thompson. “The ties I made from it were gorgeous and truly unique. This is sort of a dream scenario for finding fabric. It doesn’t happen very often, which made those ties even more special.”

In true Richmond style, Thompson works with other creative minds and designers on ideas and collaborations — two standing relationships are with Shockoe Denim and Modern Artifacts. And this year holds larger markets for Richmond Thread Lab. “I’d like to focus on Charlottesville, D.C. and New York next. Gaining some more retail exposure will really help develop the brand and generate more sales on the webstore,” says Thompson.

Up next for Richmond Thread Lab is a spring lookbook shoot in Baltimore that will kick off enhancements in packaging, retail expansion, and new products – including bow ties. “I’ve had a lot of requests so I plan to perfect my bow tie creation,” says Thompson. “I’ll continue the process of recreation and creating unique, handcrafted accessories while expanding the Richmond Thread Lab market.