Your cart

Meet the Sewers: Caitlin, Deja, and Ursa

 Tchoup Industries is a small business. We have 3 sewers – Caitlin, Deja, and Ursa – who craft each of our Tchoup bags by hand. Since they are often hidden behind the scenes, here are some fun facts to help you get to know our multi-talented, hard-working, all-female team.

 

Caitlin Trussell

unspecified-1Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

When did you learn to sew?  I learned to sew while getting a BFA in Fashion Design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Where were you raised?  I’m from the Midwest, but my father was born and raised here, so we spent a lot of time in New Orleans while I was growing up. After graduating and the last polar vortex, I wanted to leave the cold and move to a place I really loved.
unspecified
What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever sewn?  My showpiece from my BFA presentation. It took me a whole month to make the quilted silk-wool blend cape dress [see it here].
What’s your favorite Tchoup Industries product and why?  I love my all black leather Le Tour [a custom design]! It’s the perfect size for biking all around town and carrying the essentials.
What’s your favorite New Orleans band or performer?  Quintron and Miss Pussycat
What’s your Mardi Gras parade or tradition of choice?  I was able to go to Red Beans and Rice last year! I had a great time, the costumes were amazing. I’m most excited to go to Krewe de Eris this year.

Deja Trudeaux

unspecified

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

How did you learn to sew?  The Tchoup ladies showed me how after I asked them. It was definitely a challenge, but so worth it to learn how!

What’s your favorite Tchoup Industries product and why?  My favorite Tchoup product is the Fanny Pack. I don’t know why it has gone out of style. Hands free is the way to go. Especially during Mardi Gras!

unspecified-1How has sewing for Tchoup changed your perspective on shopping “local”?  I’ve started being a lot more conscious about where my clothes come from and who makes them.

What’s your favorite Mardi Gras parade or tradition?  Personal favorite: Muses. The best part are the psychadelic butterflies! They are always killing the parade game.

What’s your biggest goal?  My biggest goal is to preserve the history of NOLA and the world as best as possible. I want to be an archivist in the long run because I did it as an internship in college and loved it!

Ursa Eyer

unspecified-2

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

How did you learn to sew?  Self-taught.

What do you do when you’re not sewing for Tchoup?  I’m a working artist. I spend most of my time working in my studio and drinking too much coffee. [Ursa has done lots of illustrations for us, such as for our Fauna Bandana. Check out her personal website: ursaeyer.com and her upcycled, stuffed creatures, Angsties, which we now sell in the Tchoup shop!]

unspecified-4What’s your favorite Tchoup Industries product and why?  The Roulez Pack. I’m most in love with this design. The style is beautiful and it’s ability to expand and contract, makes my day to day life a lot easier. I bike everywhere, so an expandable bag is crucial. On a side note, instead of using the interior pocket for an ipad I use it to hold my U lock which fits perfectly!

Favorite local band?  Alexis and the Samurai

Favorite places to eat in NOLA?  Yuki for food, Whodat Cafe for coffee, and Shake Sugary for sweets!

 

Stop by the Tchoup shop to see our sewers in action, at 1113B St. Mary, New Orleans, LA. Shop online at tchoupindustries.com.

#ShopLocal #ShopSmall #ShopHandmade

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

← Back to Journal