In Ski Town USA, expensive gear sees its fair share of wear and tear; seams fray, embers burn holes and rips happen.
Local seamstress Brooke Manfred, 28, knows the price of a good adventure, and is offering a new way for Steamboat residents to invest in their gear for long-term use.
The Wild Hem, owned and operated by Manfred, is a new tailoring and handmade fashion shop located in the heart of Steamboat, offering gear repair and custom coats for functional and fashionable use.
“The Wild Hem gives people an opportunity to keep their gear alive,” said Manfred. “Everything’s so expensive, and with the fast fashion industry, it’s really important to me to keep things out of the landfill and keep people’s gear working.”
Newly moved into a brick-and-mortar space at 116 8th St., Manfred is working hard to provide high-quality, reliable service for anyone in need of a repair or a new, stylish coat.
From ski coats and gloves to sleeping bags and puffer jackets, Manfred can fix it all. But she’s not just a repair expert — she’s also a talented designer with a passion for upcycling quilts, rugs and other textiles to create western-inspired coats, skirts and more with unique personality.
After moving to Steamboat Springs in 2017, Manfred enrolled in outdoor education classes at Colorado Mountain College and quickly understood the importance of a reliable piece of gear.
In 2020, she bought her first sewing machine from the LiftUp of Routt County thrift store and picked up a sewing hobby, which turned into a fierce passion for designing one-of-a-kind clothing.
“I thought, ‘Let me just try this out,’” she said. “I’ve always been so into fashion. I love wearing unique items that have a mountain style, and functional pieces that feel good to wear.”
Following her passion, Manfred got a job at Big Agnes as a sewing machine operator, where she honed her craft and learned how to repair tents, backpacks and other outdoor gear.
On top of fixing gear for friends outside of work, Manfred also started creating more of her own clothing on the side, incorporating thrifted textiles into her work. Eventually, she found herself wanting to repair and create within her own small business.
“I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur and run my own business,” she said. “This space opened up, and I’ve always wanted my own space to curate my skills and have people come in and drop off their stuff.”
Named after the “wild child” trait found in Manfred and her clients, The Wild Hem moved into the 8th Street space in September.
Since then, the business has taken off, with locals stopping by to fix up winter gear ahead of the ski season and get to know the new downtown maker.
“People are just walking in, and it’s a lot of older locals,” said Manfred. “I love seeing their clothes and their gear and how old it is. You can see the adventure and activity worn into the product that they’re bringing in. It’s really fun for me to keep it alive.”
Manfred said she also hopes to host workshops and events in the near future, encouraging locals and visitors to better understand gear repair and the joys of sewing.
“Offering classes will be so great,” she added. “It’s a good chance to give back to the community and spark their creative side.”
In the new year, The Wild Hem clients can expect to receive top-notch care for gear and sentimental items, plus an expansion of Manfred’s handcrafted clothing.
“I love keeping things alive,” she said. “And I love making clothing that you can go camping in — that you can climb a tree in. I want them to be comfy and functional.”