My name is Chelsea Billingsley. I was a part of the 2015 graduating class of Chicago Bulls College Prep. I’m from the South Side of Chicago, the Englewood area.

How Chelsea Got Into Crochet

Me learning how to crochet— that came from my homeroom teacher, Ms. McGivney. At the time, Ms. McGivney, she was one of the music teachers here, but she was so down to earth. She seemed funky and creative like me. It was just a way for us to have some type of freedom and fun throughout our day and some form of outlet, outside of me just running track. So after practice, I would just have my little hooks. One day, she just gave me the full box of yarn… So, my great-grandmother, she actually crocheted. I never met her. She passed away way before I was born.

Her Journey from Noble to Savannah College of Art and Design

It’s a beautiful thing to see that Noble was just embracing the creative. Savannah Art and Design was the first school to accept me. I got my red polo and everything, and I ended up just taking a leap of faith and going and I graduated in 2019. But, I was more so: Let me get my experience. Let me work on some music video sets. Let me, you know, put on a couple of collections. Let me collaborate with my friends who are in fashion. And let’s put on some fashion shows. Let’s start to implement some type of fashion program. So that’s what I was doing at SCAD.

Reinventing What It Means to Be Black and Brown in Fashion: From NikeLab Chicago to Chicago Bulls to Celebrity Clients

And then once I graduated from SCAD, it was when I discovered the Nike Lab. Virgil Abloh is one of my huge inspirations— I found out that he had curated this space for creatives. Me, being a persistent person that I am, I was like, “Okay, I’ll show up every single day.” And I think that a lot of kids nowadays, they don’t realize you gotta show up. Sometimes, when there isn’t a space for you guys, show up and try to create that space. So, my inspiration behind making crochet or knitwear, all the things cool, was representation. I know my main purpose and goal when I stepped into this industry was I want to reinvent what it means to be Black and Brown in this space— thinking about that, from infinity scarves till now, I’ve made like jumpsuits, puffer coats. I recently got featured by Chicago Bulls for Black History Month. I made this puffer coat, which is cool… Sneakers or whatever you’re trying to do, you gotta get that 10,000 hours in.

One day, I replied to her {Lizzo’s} comment, and I was like: “Listen, listen, if you ever need something, just hit me up.” Matthew Reisman ended up reaching out to me. They wanted me to make this piece, like this three-piece type of thing for Lizzo. And I’m always about inclusivity. I was so happy. She was one of my first celeb plus-size clients… Then my Marian Puffer coat— this was the first one that got on a celebrity client {which} was Monét X Change with RuPaul’s Drag Race VH1. The Marian Puffer again for Chicago Bulls— that was a— I love that piece, yeah. I represent my city and then it’s just like a full circle moment, like I went to Chicago Bulls College Prep, and then I’m now working with the Bulls and get to do it in such a creative way.

Taking Home a Win From OMG Fashun TV Show

I didn’t ever think I was gonna be on reality TV. When I found out that I made it to the final round {of OMG Fashun} to be featured on TV… this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ve already won by being able to represent my city and myself and what I do on this show. What did come with it is my city and my community being proud of me. I think it put me in the face of a little bit more luxury fashion.

What’s Next for Chelsea

I would say what’s next is some more like innovation, some more collabs, create opportunity and activations for other upcoming fashion designers— so, last year I did an installation, where I helped them curate one of their annual fashion shows. And Chicago is in great hands, you know? And if I can just show up for them in whatever capacity I can, that’s, that’s what I’m gonna do… To be able to be honored and featured as artists of the month {by the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago}— that was honestly a dream come true.

Chelsea’s Advice for Young Artists

Number one, all ideas are good ideas, so don’t abandon your work. But, when I say that, it’s like, don’t get caught up in trying to perfect it. Just flow. Number two, be present. One of the most valuable things that we do have is time, and so once those moments pass, you can’t get them back. The sky’s not the limit. That’s something I learned from Virgil. You know, a lot of people tell you what you can’t do because they deem it as impossible. But what is impossible? So, the sky is not the limit. Just go for it.