Image: All images courtesy Union Handmade. Photography by Yamho Chan.

Leigh Deleonardo opened Union Handmade in 2013 with her husband, Greg Walker. It’s a consortium shop and atelier combined: a union of traditional retail and workspace; a union of makers and designers offering timeless handmade goods. Slow fashion at its best!

Union Handmade is anchored by Leigh Deleonardo's collection of separates, jackets, and dresses. She is joined by talented clothing designers, jewelers, milliners, knitters, and textile artists. Among these diverse collections are also found hand-woven handbags from Peru, locally made body products, sewing notions from England, and Selvedge magazine. The treasure seeker has plenty to choose from in this simple, inviting shop designed by Robert Rud and managed by the Union Handmade members.

This special consortium shop is in excellent company. It's one of five lovely, locally-owned shops in a row: a one-stop block for all things creative, from vintage home furnishings and special gifts to knitting, bookbinding, and haberdashery. All five shops are well worth a patient perusal.

In a way, Union Handmade is a reunion of Leigh's first consortium shop, Made To Fit, which she closed in 1998 to focus on her new family. Several of the designers who were with her at Made To Fit are among the current 12 members of Union Handmade. Together they offer an exciting collection of items united by a common love of timeless design made slowly, with integrity, by hand.

Visit Union Handmade in Chicago or shop online: https://www.unionhandmade.com

Find Union Handmade on Instagram: @UnionHandmade