Blue collar Friday: Why a KC streetwear project in the works for a decade could sell out in one night

A just-dropped collaboration between two Crossroads makers stitch together neighborhood history and vintage streetwear, according to the creatives behind the SewKC and MADE MOBB brands.

Patch packs from the Stitching KC Together collection; image courtesy of SewKC

“We’re paying homage to the craftsmanship of the past but bringing it into this new age,” explained Jesse Phouanphet, co-owner of the popular Kansas City streetwear apparel company MADE MOBB. 

The Stitching KC Together collection from SewKC and MADE MOBB features a limited run of 100 quilt-lined, corduroy-collared, cropped-hem black jackets that can be customized with MADE MOBB/Sew KC/Crossroads embroidered patches.

A limited number of the jackets will also feature an East meets West Crossroads design on the back.

The collection launches 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday during the December First Friday event at MADE MOBB, 221 Southwest Boulevard.

“The Midwest is all about craftsmanship, very blue collar,” said Phouanphet. “That’s something we wanted to illustrate when building a drop like this.”

“Of course, we are both focusing on our strengths,” he added. “SewKC, they kill it when it comes to patches, sewing, and craftsmanship. And we’ve been working at MADE MOBB on a mechanic jacket for almost a year. So for us to launch it with SewKC just makes perfect sense.”

Jesse Phouanphet, MADE MOBB, with Johnny and Michele Dawbarn and Kristina Atagi, SewKC; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Customers can pick out their jacket and patches, design their patch layout, and then SewKC will be on site to bring the customizations to life. A variety of beanies are expected to be on hand to purchase and customize. Customers also can bring in their favorite jacket from home to customize with the patch packs.

“The idea is really just to promote that individualism, the customization, and really just bringing people back into the shops,” Phouanphet continued. “We’re in a big online e-commerce space — we do a good amount on e-com, as well — but this is a cool thing for people to come, shop, physically touch all the items, and now, customize the items.”

This collaboration is a decade in the making, noted Johnny Dawbarn, co-founder of SewKC alongside his wife, Michele. The duo also owns and operates Collective Ex and HITIDES Coffee under the same roof at 519 E 18th St. in the East Crossroads. 

“We at SewKC and MADE MOBB have hit a 10-year mark together,” he explained. “We’ve been friends. The idea is, let’s celebrate that history a little bit and get into the idea of what the East Crossroads and the West Crossroads offers and then bring it together in a way of showcasing the strengths between the two, complementing each other versus competing.”

“It’s such a creative community as it is, so we’re highlighting that creativity,” he added.

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The collection also serves as a nod to the winding journey of the Crossroads itself, Dawbarn and Phouanphet shared. MADE MOBB’ storefront on Southwest Boulevard was a mechanic shop at one point and the SewKC space was once a glass and wallpaper store.

“People were doing things that were creatively based and working hard on something passion driven,” Dawbarn continued. “We’re doing the same thing in those spaces — different decades — but the same mentality, which is exciting, if you think about it.”

The First Friday event at MADE MOBB will also feature local vendors, food trucks, and performances presented by One Mic Stand KC.

“First Fridays are so big in the Crossroads, so it makes a lot of sense for us to join up on one of those and do this live customer interaction,” Dawbarn said.

“It’s really cool because we remember each other when we were all getting that first start and we’ve watched each other grow,” he continued of the two brands. “We’ve been able to work together, share ideas, share processes, and help each other.”

For those who can’t make it on First Friday, the remaining jackets from the 100-piece run will be available to purchase at MADE MOBB, they noted. Customers can still design their patch layout, then the jacket will be sent over to SewKC to finish the customization.