Up-&-Coming Fashion Designer Cuts Ribbon On Audubon Shop

The jacket, a faded denim with a shaggy grey fur collar and cuffs, was understated, and one of a kind.

It proclaimed, in its singular style, the essence of MINIPNG, which officially opened Wednesday at 77 Audubon St. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This is a woman-owned, minority-owned, independent clothing and accessories retailer that is owned and operated by New Haven resident and local entrepreneur Eiress Hammond,” said Lauren Zucker, Yale University Associate Vice President for New Haven Affairs and University Properties, who was clad in the jacket.

“Eiress,” Zucker said, ​“prides herself on creating pieces tailored to customers’ individuality, and this jacket is just one example.” 

Mayor Justin Elicker commended Hammond on her seeming calm.

“Starting a new business is so challenging because you’re always having to put out fires,” he said, as Hammond, standing alongside him, allowed herself a quiet smile.

In the crowd stood Hammond’s grandmother Christine Sherwood who, along with her grandfather, raised her in Middletown. While her granddaughter started her brand from doodling faces on a tank top in 2019, ​“Eiress has always been creative, from the time she was 2, and she has always loved fashion.”

She has also ​“overcome adversity to get here,” Sherwood said — most recently, the online retail service AliExpress stealing her signature design of hand-painted faces in her ​“In the City” tank tops and mass-producing them. After decrying their actions on Instagram, Hammond has secured a lawyer to represent her pro bono in her efforts to remove the knockoffs from the site.

After praising the range of Hammond’s artistic creations, Ward 7 Alder Eli Sabin threw down the gauntlet.

“Watch out, Brooklyn: We’re getting pretty creative around here,” he said.

“This is a dream come true,” said Hammond, who was clad unobtrusively in shorts, black hoodie, baseball cap, and Doc Martens, her only concession to fashion a pair of jaunty rainbow-colored legwarmers. ​“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a kid.”

With that, Zucker handed Hammond a pair of scissors. With Handsome Dan looking on, Hammond cut the ribbon. 

“Let’s shop,” someone called out.

Inside, Mercedes Alicea introduced herself to Hammond.

“My daughters and I, we get jazzed about clothes, making bell bottoms, that sort of thing,” she said, as sunlight streamed into the airy space. ​“Fashion is art. This is art.”

Stephanie Felix and Tara von Schmidt, from the Town Green Special Services District, were admiring Hammond’s signature hand-painted T shirts.

“It’s cool, it’s independent, it’s POC,” said Felix of MINIPNG. ​“Also on Audubon. Not a lot of retail here. Only other is Koffee? with its thrift popup. But that’s just on Saturdays.”

Von Schmidt had another take.

“These are really unique pieces that you can’t find online or anywhere,” she said. ​“Plus they’re not just clothes but intentional artwork.”

In the center of the space, Hammond was exchanging fist bumps with friends. 

“I’m just excited to bring something new to New Haven,” she said. ​“I’m grateful to find a retail space for my store that feels right and that fits my budget, thanks to the help from everyone, especially the people at Yale.” 

Her grandmother, who was standing nearby, piped in. 

“People have been so gracious,” she said. ​“Eiress is a good person and people see her honesty and humility and they want to help. That’s a big part of her success.”