NewHavenBIZ

n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | M a y 2 0 2 3 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 23 Stay current with the most important business news in Greater New Haven! Emailed to you on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons << SIGN UP TODAY >> GO TO NEWHAVENBIZ.COM/ENEWSLETTERS F O C U S : S m a l l B u s i n e s s showcases other local designers. "It's like a brick-and-mortar for local entrepreneurs and local cloth- ing brands, we help them get started," Shabazz said. He added that moving to a physical location has helped his brand. "It's easier for people to find me — they know where I'm at," he said. "For the most part, I'm enjoying people coming inside the store and getting the full experience." Shabazz's advice to aspiring designers? "ey should take a risk," he said. "Do your research. And once you get your product, be consistent — and network." Both Moss and Shabazz are featured at an event this month for fashion startups seeking guidance at MakeHav- en, the makerspace and entrepreneurial hub at 770 Chapel St. e May 18 event, entitled "How to Build Your Own Clothing Brand," will offer advice on design, manufacturing, marketing and branding, along with demonstrations of screen printing and embroidery. Online to brick-and-mortar Like many streetwear retailers, Alex Dakoulas, founder and owner of Strange Ways at 151 Orange St., got his start in e-commerce — in his case, designing unique pins and patches for young consumers seeking to customize their looks. Dakoulas opened an online store in 2014, featuring products he honed aer a decade working in graphic design for footwear giants Converse and Puma. Strong online sales led to his opening a storefront in New Haven's Westville neighborhood, which featured his designs along with those of other inde- pendent creators. "Aer five years, we realized we were getting foot traffic, people were coming in — we needed to grow. And so, we moved downtown," Dakoulas said. Strange Ways' current location in Pitkin Plaza is four times larger than the Westville store and includes a perfor- mance/pop-up space and room for customization equipment. e foot traffic sparked by growth in residential development downtown and in Wooster Square has brought new customers to his shop, Dakoulas said. "ere's a trend of people saying that storefronts are dying and things like that," Dakoulas said. "I do think if you're doing something that's unique, people are going to come out." Strange Ways' product range has expanded to include hats, socks, bags, bath products and home goods, includ- ing high-end incense. He also sets aside space for local makers to showcase their wares. "Everything we carry comes from independent artists and small brands," Dakoulas said. Dakoulas said the recent growth in streetwear and urban fashion retailers represents the desire of younger people to form a personal connection with makers and find local and unique goods. "Streetwear is about expressing your- self versus following trends," Dakoulas said. "You are wearing something that is about you, versus what you necessar- ily see in fashion magazines and what you're told to wear." Dakoulas added that nearby busi- nesses in New Haven's Ninth Square also cater to independent-minded shoppers, including e Devil's Gear Bike Shop, Plush skateboards and Bark & Vine, which sells plants and supplies. "Ninth Square — it's kind of become this independent retail mecca," Dakou- las said. "I only see that growing." n Alex Dakoulas parlayed his signature pins and patches into a brick-and-mortar store, Strange Ways in New Haven's Pitkin Plaza.

• Cover