Wai-Ching jackets top off your look with a standout spring layer

The jackets local clothing designer Chrissy Wai Ching creates for her Wai-Ching label are eco-friendly, wearable and decidedly unique.

Wai Ching is committed to sustainability and works exclusively with fabrics like hemp, which enriches the soil it grows in; and peace silk, a silk harvested without killing silkworms. Using these light, breathable materials, she creates detail-rich, avant-garde jackets ($89-$275) that will brighten up any spring wardrobe.

In her Pioneer Square studio, details rule and Wai Ching often offsets her body-conscious creations with androgynous elements such as military cuts and thick lapels. Whether it's meticulous hand-stitching or a mandarin collar, the construction of Wai Ching's jackets commands attention.

Wai Ching wants details to be forward-thinking while the overall design of each jacket is wholly wearable, a go-to in her clients' closets.

"I was trying to strike a chord with something you could dress up with a skirt, to look really elegant, or dress more urban with jeans and boots," the designer says. The hand-dyed silk of her blazers lends an edgy overtone to the classic look of jeans and a tank top -- Wai Ching's favorite outfit.

Liberal use of color is a signature of Wai Ching's designs. Many of her jackets are a crescendo of color, constructed of hand-dyed silk pieces in reds, greens, blues and yellows. Other jackets incorporate only neutral colors -- whites, beiges or lights browns -- or one subtle color, like a hand-painted sky-blue trim.

Wai Ching loves custom work and invites clients to collaborate with her to design their own jackets. Turnaround time can range from one to three months, depending on how many projects Wai Ching is committed to. Custom jackets start at $250, and consultations are done at her studio.

In addition to jackets, Wai Ching designs dresses, jumpsuits, pants, tops and accessories for both men and women, all with her signature style. She welcomes custom requests on any design. Call 206-229-1111 or e-mail through her Web site to schedule an appointment.

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