Daily Inspiration: Meet Chi Thomas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chi Thomas.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved working with my hands. It started with Legos and model car sets. Then I in 7th grade for my birthday, I was gifted an early model DTG printing machine. I started learning about transfer sheets and ink while trying to learn a DJing software on my moms work laptop. I had friends from school drawing things for me to print when I got home using $1-$3 blank shirts from the thrift store. I always had an itch for fashion, but at that time I hadn’t taken it further. My early fascination with automotive technology landed me my first internship with a performance shop out in Blue Summit. From 14-20 I was spending my time off from school in the shop. It wasn’t until I returned home after dropping out of college, I found my new direction. In 2019 I started experimenting with various printing methods, that progressed into me building my first in apartment studio with the intentions to make the first few years were all about discovery. I began strictly making pieces for myself and the people around me. This birthed KANARI, a project that only had pieces end up in the hands of those around me. We shot a few promos, had photoshoots, even had an entire drop make it thru production; but never brought anything to sale. In 2022 Atelier Studios was established. A brand that emphasizes on 1 of 1 pieces and limited runs. Using hand picked garments and locally sourced textiles, I started mending and patchworking tethered pairs of denim and other high quality garments. Around this time I’d also start screen-printing and sourcing more pieces as I w0as getting invited to pop up at local events around the city. Sustainability has always been a big driving force for the brands mission, and that’s why I’ve tried hard to maintain that integrity within A.S.. I want to make unique pieces that last and I refuse to do that with generic ideas and over-recycled concepts which has equated in it’s exclusivity. Fast forward to today, the community is steadily growing. In 2024 me and my brothers created the union that is ‘UNDADAWGZ’, a collaborative creative house that shines our collective light through multiple mediums of expression. This umbrella houses creatives like Xayy and Exodus visual. Xayy has been a great friend of mine and emerging artist here in KC, he is known for having a range of musical versatility and captivating visuals. His vision has allowed me to express myself through other mediums like photography, videography. Exodus visual emerges as a visionary creative force, seamlessly fusing a vast spectrum of artistic disciplines in a historical context. Rooted in exploration and innovation, it operates as an ever-evolving system where storytelling, cultural expression, and design coalesce into something beyond a traditional standard. Exodus has played a big role within the A.S. journey as a whole. Not only have they assisted on my own projects, but through design has been like a second home. Last year we hosted our first DAWG DAYZ event. It was a packed spring Saturday that featured some really cool vintage curators, brand owners, and performances from some of KC’s best talent. It was an experience I’m forever grateful for, getting to be in our own space to connect with our peers and supporters- as well as our signature drink ‘The Purebred’. Upcoming in September (2025) @In The Lowest Ferns, we will be putting on one of our biggest presentations yet. The first ever Atelier Studios Fashion show, followed by a performance by one of UNDADAWGZ’s finest- Xayy, also featuring curation from Exodus Visual. This will also serve as the debut of the newest Atelier Studios chapter, SANTA MARIA.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Whether it be internal or external, they have always been met with ambition. Discovering and exploring new concepts and ideas will always come with road blocks. We’ve seen it all from mis-prints to the final product of a project not turning out the way we had imagined. But at the end of the day, it’s all of those things that helped us learn and be even better prepared for the next step.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
A brief look into one of my processes looks something like this, I’ll take a couple weeks to focus on sourcing. Once it all makes it back to my studio, they’re divided into a handful of different bins. Pieces to be mended, blank pieces for printing, pieces required for upcoming projects, and garments to be deconstructed to serve whatever necessary purpose at the time. I like to think what I specialize in, is extending the life of already existing clothing/textiles. And honestly I’m just fine with that being my purpose in this space. What probably sets me apart from the rest are the ideologies I walk along side of every day. We don’t care about making the next viral thing or farming for engagement. We are in seek of creating a community we know and understand. One where you can network without prejudice and be provided the means to live off of our land without the reliance on companies/businesses that don’t operate with our best in mind. In the creative sense, you will never find an over or unnecessarily designed garment with a tag from us. The resources we have left on this planet are limited and not to be taken lightly, emerging in certain spaces can have you met with inauthenticity and ones who believe they serve as ostiaries to the things attainable to one another; and that’s just not at all what we’re about. We pride ourselves in taking the time and attention to present pieces of ourselves in a purposeful and meaningful respect.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
At least from my perspective, every year I see more and more people moving to shopping as locally as they can. More individuals trying harder to live within their means. People are searching for more meaningful and quality products that will last, and smaller business are having to step up to provide that. The shift will be gradual but radical. Bigger companies in the industry are profiting significantly off the exploitation of their own employees as well as those outsourced in other countries because there’s not enough raw materials, textiles or production workers are in the US alone. Other than continuing to grapple at every trend and wave they observe within our diverse culture; I’m unsure what will happen to the conglomerates or big ‘luxury’ brands… Maybe try to monopolize on any last threads of the industry they can get their hands on before dissolving their assets. Right now there there is a rise in visionaries and creatives thinking about the new tomorrow. People/artist who work in an office or trade workers who may also happen to who express themselves thru painting on canvas to artists in the booth, being the one behind the camera, mothers with that really good recipe, and that cousin who can work on cars and paint houses. Overall there will be more options for us to choose from, that are even more local and ethically sourced. In fashion; the trends are still forever changing but also repeating, just as history does itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theatelierstudios.com
• Instagram: atelierstudios.us