Ellie Chan brings her own unique style to Hell's Kitchen with her new storefront, Artist Made Shop, on W50th Street.
Chan, a former textile designer turned fashion entrepreneur, opened the store in May after thinking about owning her own store since the pandemic hit in 2020. After a lifetime in fashion business and design, Chan said she wanted to curate art and lifestyle pieces rather than just create and sell them.
“I wanted to curate unique items, clothes, and cool accessories instead of making them,” Chan says, “so I created the store, 'Artist Made Shop.' The artist is me, my taste, and my curation.”
Located at 447 W50th Street, Artist Made Shop is a mish-mash of classic clothing, accessories, jewelry, and other products. From the unique products selected from over 40 Korean vendors to the store's branding, Chang's attention to detail is evident in every aspect.
Chan designed the store's logo and signage, as well as all of Artist Made Shop's packaging. She says she dabbles in graphic design from time to time, and also likes watercolor painting, charcoal drawing and sculpture.
Though it's only been open two months, Chang said her store is already popular with West Side residents, tourists and those looking for gifts they can't find anywhere else.
“We don't have a lot of inventory. We're very selective,” Chang says. “Every piece is unique.”
These unique creations include Chang's collection of soaps in various colors, with scents like Lavender Dream, Ocean Breeze, and Summer Stripes, which give off a calming scent at the front of the store. Chang even has a few soaps themed around each month of the year (July's scent was particularly nice).
So far, Chang has worked primarily with Korean suppliers, but he, who moved to the U.S. from Seoul in the 1990s, plans to expand his inventory to include some Italian and French pieces.
“Korea is very trendy when it comes to fashion,” Chang says. “Anything that's unique, high quality and affordable will do.”
Speaking of trends, Chang decided to open a store in Hell's Kitchen because he expects the area to become increasingly popular, especially among artists.
“I believe Hell's Kitchen will become the next SoHo, the next Williamsburg, the next Hoboken,” Chang said. “I truly believe that.”
She looked at 500 potential store locations, including the East Village, but felt the Hell's Kitchen community was the best fit for Artist Made Shop.
“This neighborhood reminds me a little bit of myself,” Chang says. “I was interested in a fresh start, and that feeling is a perfect fit for Hell's Kitchen.”
Before opening her store, Chang worked in the fashion industry, first as a textile designer and then running a children's swimwear brand. She has lived in New York City for over 30 years, including working in the garment district, but now lives in New Jersey.
Artist Made Shop is located at 447 W50th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. They are open every day except Mondays from 11am to 7pm.
