If you raid the racks of Ginger Root Design when you first walk into the cozy basement store at 1530 U Street NW, you’ll see reworked jackets and finely tailored shorts. With their own line, ReVamp ReWear, they focus on the hidden details like pockets made from recycled fabric, specifically the leftover scraps from tailoring jobs. A tomato red cropped jacket with rectangular cutouts for the back is accompanied with an original photo, letting you know what your jacket was in a previous life. Ultimately, a much less fashionable one.

Though the store has only been open one year, it is already known for championing local artists and designers. Eleven local artists and designers are currently featured in the store including handpainted purses by illustrator Elizabeth Graeber and Jennifer Jeremias’ brass jewelry. The owners discovered jewelry designer Rachel Pfeffer when she walked in wearing a pair of her own wire bicycle earrings. Now the shop carries those along with her line of fool’s gold and quartz jewelry.

To see the rest of NPR’s article, head here!