Production Mode in the Press
Press Inquiries
Questions about Ethical Fashion? Want to know more about Production Mode’s latest collaborations and upcoming projects? Get in touch with Jamie by filing out this form or email her at jamie@productionmodechicago.com
Press Archive
Best Way to Slow Your Fashion Roll
July 16, 2024
Former labor rights organizer Jamie Hayes opened Production Mode in 2015 as an alternative to mass-produced fast-fashion chains. Her take on “slow fashion” breaks the assembly line mold. The tailor-made clothing is designed via a face-to-face collaboration between customers and Hayes’s team of designers and is crafted by seamstresses in the North Center store (the patterning and cutting table is in plain sight, and the sewing machines are just beyond the fitting rooms). Dream up a style (anything from cap-sleeved tops to cape coats) and sustainable material (like luscious wool cotton made locally by the Weaving Mill). There is also an off-the-rack collection, with tailoring onsite at no extra charge. Either way, you’re guaranteed formfitting, flattering clothing that you’ll have a story about. 3860 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago Fashion Week is Back
July 4, 2024
“I think we need to understand and appreciate what makes Chicago unique and different versus NYC, Paris, Milan… We have a lot more in common with a with a fashion capital like Antwerp than with Paris. We have the luxury to create at a slower pace here”
Chicago Fashion Week will turn the city 'into a runway' this fall
May 28, 2024
More than 50 events across Chicago featuring local designers will take place in October, with many open to the public and free to attend.
The Ultimate Shopping Guide to Chicago
November 22, 2023
One of the coolest shops in Chicago, Production Mode creates their own collection of women's slow fashion clothing and accessories in-house. Clients have access to the cutting and patterning tables on the showroom floor. They can buy off the rack, made to measure (at no additional charge), customize color, trims, and even order custom silhouettes. The atelier carries multiple independent designers of clothing, jewelry, and gifts who share their similar slow fashion (i.e. ethical and sustainable) ethos.
Jamie Hayes Featured in New City Magazine—Design 50: Who Shapes Chicago 2020
February 27th, 2020
When working small, there’s more of an incentive for us to band together, and to value everyone working throughout our supply chain. Most of us do not offshore our work, so we depend on the cutters and stitchers in this city to help make our work, and we truly value their labor because we work alongside one another and oftentimes cut and sew our own work, too,” Hayes says. “In addition to the long history of labor movements in Chicago, this interdependence is part of why Chicago has been a leader in the world of slow and ethical fashion. I believe we’ll continue to lead this movement in 2020 and we will benefit from the attention being paid to ethical and independent fashion in general.”
Interview with Jamie Hayes in New City Mag: Thoughts on Fashion Post- COVID 19
April 22nd, 2020
Jamie Hayes of Production Mode is interviewed by Amanda Christine Harth on adapting to the new restrictions, shifting priorities as a small business, and what her role as a designer might look like moving forward.
Feature in NS Modern Luxury Magazine
April 18th, 2018
Production Mode in the April issue of NS Modern Luxury, featuring our 100% wool felt top and vegetable tanned leather skirt.
Production Mode Voted “Best Local Line” in Make it Better Magazine
April 11th, 2018
Thank you to Make it Better magazine for naming us “Best Local Line” in their Green issue.
Chicago Woman Magazine Names Jamie Hayes one of Chicago’s 20 Women at the Top of Their Game
March 18th, 2018
Thanks to Chicago Woman Magazine for including me in their list of 20 women in Chicago on the top of their game. It’s an honor and it’s motivating to receive this recognition! The truth is, for many of us to be on our A game as we start businesses and work multiple jobs to make ends meet, other areas of our lives sometimes go to B game. Thanks to my friends, family, clients, and collaborators who have been patient with me and supported me through this period of sleep deprivation and intense focus on work. It’s a true privilege to love one’s work—I am grateful! by Art & Science Salon. Hair by the amazing Tara Hulka at Art & Science. I am wearing Production Mode.
Chicago Reader Cover + Interview
January 31st, 2018
In the December 6 issue of the Chicago Reader, Production Mode designer Jamie Hayes was interviewed as part of a story on fashion, gender, identity, and politics and the PM collection is featured on the cover and throughout.
Paper Magazine
November 30th, 2017
Production Mode felt skirt featured on Papermagazine.com.
Photo by Diego Campos, Styling by Kit This with assistance from Tanner C. Branson, Hair by Randy Wilder at 10 Mgmt, Makeup by Andrea Samuels at Factor, Manicure by Ashley Crowe, Prop Styling by Kelly McKaig.
Clothing Credits:
Left to Right: Cortazia, Grace, Erica
Grace wears Alex Carter coat, at Sir & Madame. Alice and Olivia blouse, at Nordstrom. Cities in Dust double disc earrings. Manolo Blahnik.
Cortazia wears Odeeh blouse, at Chalk Evanston. Roland Mouret pants, at Chalk Glencoe. Balenciaga belt, at Blake. A Détacher slides, at Robin Richman.
Erica wears Carven sweater, at Chalk Evanston. Production Mode skirt. Manolo Blahnik shoes.
PM Designer Jamie Hayes Voted “Best Local Designer” in Chicago Reader Poll
July 2nd, 2017
Thanks, Chicago, for voting me “Best Local Designer”. I’m grateful for this beautiful city and community that has always been so supportive of me and my work!
Billboard Magazine Cover
October 16th, 2016
Production Mode vegetable tanned leather top featured on the cover of Billboard Magazine, as shot by Austin Hargrave, styled by Whitney Middleton, and worn by Grammy nominee Maren Morris.
Interview with Ethical Fashion Site Trusted Clothes
August 27th, 2016
Trusted Clothes, an organization devoted to promoting ethical and sustainable fashion, interviews Jamie Hayes of Production Mode for their blog. Below is an excerpt of the interview, written by Scott Douglas Jacobsen.
Chicago Reader Feature
June 8th, 2015
Thanks to the Chicago Reader for featuring Production Mode in their Space Feature, and for championing our brand of slow fashion: ethically sourced, locally made-to-order clothing, built to last.
Take a virtual tour of the Department of Curiosities, the production space/showroom co-founded and co-run by myself and Gerry Quinton of Morua, below.
Chicago Magazine Feature
March 3rd, 2015
Chicago Magazine just published a great article about the ethos behind Department of Curiosities, the boutique/production space shared by Production Mode and Morua.
A little context on the genesis of D.O.C.: for years Gerry Quinton (designer of Morua) and I dreamed of sharing a studio. Finally when she moved back from England at the end of 2013, we began to look for spaces. We found so much more than we bargained for–not only a studio, but also a storefront, and thus, D.O.C. was born.
