Squasht by Les is a woman-owned and operated clothing and accessories company based in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, IL. The Squasht collection consists of ready-to-wear, hand-constructed pieces, each of which balances a quirky sensibility with subtle sophistication. Squasht produces a seasonal line of day-wear garments, reversible hats, handbags and headbands. Natural, vintage, and/or organic sustainable fabrics are used in the majority of Squasht garments and hats, which are all designed and constructed from start to finish on-site in Squasht's Chicago studio. Squasht by Les was founded by owner and designer Lesley Timpe in her home town, St. Louis, in October 2004 after attending Maestro Mateo Design School in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Upon her return to the U.S. Lesley found herself consumed by European inspirations that sparked her desire to create unique and wearable wardrobe additions. Lesley gained immediate recognition for her fashion-forward designs, winning "best emerging designer" in the 2005 Threads for Hope Fash-N-Bash Fashion Show at the Pageant Theatre in St. Louis. The accolade was the first of many that allowed Squasht to get picked up by more than 25 boutiques nationwide.
ABOUT THE STUDIO
In July 2008, Lesley relocated the company to Chicago to consolidate with her production team there.
By February 2009, Squasht by Les had moved operations into its current digs:
1932 S. Halsted St., Room 509, Chicago, IL, 60608
It's in the Pilsen neighborhood's historic Fountainhead building. A design studio, office, showroom and shop all in one, complete with in-house production, it is open to the public by appointment.
You can contact us for information or call 773-719-1444 to make an appointment to shop Squasht's selection of clothing and accessories. On the second Friday of each month, the studio is open to the public from 6 - 10 pm in conjunction with Pilsen's Second Friday Art Walk.
IN THE PRESS
Squasht by Les has been featured by California Apparel News, Bust Magazine, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Alive Magazine, and Kansas City Star. WGSN's website promoted Squasht as a brand to watch in both 2006 & 2007. The brand has been seen at Stitch Austin Fashion Show in September 2007, Kansas City Fashion Week in October 2007 and in St. Louis Fashion Week in April 2008 and March 2009.
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