MEN IN DESIGN
hosted by
RON DAVID STUDIO

We're excited to announce that we’ll be one of the special guests at this weekend's men's designer showcase at Ron David Studio in the Union Market neighborhood!

MEN IN DESIGN is all about highlighting some of the DMV based men’s designers, artists, and curators, and we're honored to be featured. This shopping experience is specially curated for men who love fashion and have a passion for supporting independent and small brands.

Come join us for the launch party, Friday, July 26th, for an evening filled with style, creativity, and inspiration, with music by DJ, @farrahflosscett.

Alongside CHRiS CARDi, you’ll meet fellow DMV based designers: DARYL LOCKO (@lockosworld), WESLEY NY (@wesleyny_), and KHALIF (@iamkhalif).

Mark your calendars – this Friday! 🗓️ 4 - 7PM

DJ + Cocktails + Vibes 

Our luggage collection will be showcased all weekend and will feature some limited edition items and new releases, exclusively for this event!

Details:
Ron David Studio
1262 5TH ST NE, WASHINGTON, DC  20002
FRIDAY, 7/26/24 | 4 - 7PM
SATURDAY, 7/27/24 | 11 - 7PM
SUNDAY, 7/28/24 | 12 - 5PM

JUL. 26-28
Ron David Studio: Men’s Designer Showcase

Visit us at Ron David Studio in the Union Market neighborhood as we showcase our luggage collection alongside other DMV area based Men’s designers. We’ll be featuring some limited edition items and new releases, exclusively for this weekend event!
1262 5TH ST NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20002
FRI | 5 - 7PM
SATURDAY | 11 - 7PM
SUNDAY | 12 - 5PM

AUG. 10
Pack Party 6

Join us at the Pack Party 6: The Last Dance, a celebration of D.C. culture, community, and creativity. Hosted by The Pack enjoy live music, DJs, games, vendors, food and more! We will have a wide range of our Washington Bastards capsule collection advocating for D.C. statehood ft. t-shirts, tank tops, jerseys, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, and other collectibles.
1726 17TH ST. NE, WASHINGTON, DC
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 | 10 PM - 2:30 AM

PRESALE TICKETS

SEPT. 17-21
H Street Pop-Up Boutique at Hill Prince

Peruse our H Street NE capsule collection in the comfy confines of Hill Prince the week leading into H Street Festival! We are making it easy setting up shop in this neighborhood staple for 5 days. Swing by with friends sip, shop, and get ready to celebrate H Street NE in style!
1337 H ST NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20002

MORE DETAILS TBA IN AUGUST

Back in June, we teamed up with D.C. based artist Isaiah Aladejobi - also known as PZay the Creative - to host A Beautifully Black Bazaar. The bazaar was all about celebrating the legacy of Black cooperative economics and pooling both the resources and talent of some of the DMV area’s Black creative community.

Pzay’s lofty art space at the Fillmore Studios in Georgetown served as the host venue for the festivities which took place the afternoon of Sunday, June 30, 2024. Attendees enjoyed an interactive experience including art installations by Pzay, an African-American flag photo backdrop with photography by Ryan Hampton, music by DJ Lois Lane, curated cocktails by Courtney Taylor and a variety of vendors from apparel to apothecary and, of course, art. Shouts out to our featured vendors ABSNCE, Art/cor, AVAlien, Inner Flydom, Kettles and Kandles, Maurice James Jr., and Nicole C Johnson Art.

Juneteenth was the catalyst for A Beautifully Black Bazaar, with the bazaar being a foundation for how we want to commemorate the past, celebrate the present, and build for the future of what Black Liberation looks like in every aspect of American society when we [Black people] control our own narrative, our own destiny, and the vitality of our own unique and distinctive communities. In an effort to document this, Molly Rufus interviewed a number of our creatives to get their thoughts and perspectives. We look forward to sharing that content with you in the near future.

We’d like to thank everyone that helped to promote A3B (A Beautifully Black Bazaar), all those that attended, shopped, shared their experience on social media, and all of our collaborators for making it possible. 

We look forward to partnering again with Pzay and bringing you another A3B this year. If you are interested in being involved or attending a future A3B email: beblackbzar@gmail.com.

HOME RULE THEN. STATEHOOD NOW! CAPSULE

History is our greatest teacher when we know the whole story. As we transition from celebrating Black History Month to Women’s History Month, championing the intersection of this history as a precursor to the present day struggle for D.C. statehood brings into focus the movement’s pivotal role to the social justice issues of today. 

It is this history, particularly that of the Home Rule movement, that we examined as the source for our “Home Rule Then. Statehood Now!” capsule.

The 1966 Home Rule Day rally (July 17, 1966) at the National Mall was the catalyst of our inspiration. Drawing 32 speakers and approximately 4,000 people, attendees heard from notable advocates including Richard Claxton "Dick" Gregory, civil rights activist and comedian,who said, "You can't laugh your problems away." Senator Wayne Morse further stated that home rule legislation at the time offered the "opportunity to strike a blow for human dignity which we cannot afford to reject." Looking back at the few black and white photos available, we pulled ideas from a variety of campaign signs at the rally. 

 One photo in particular taken that day, featured in the Washington Star, depicts three young women at the rally sitting on the grass at the National Mall. The woman in the forefront holds a pennant banner which reads 'Home Rule Now Washington, D.C. 1966’.

We recreated that banner as the graphic featured on the front of “Home Rule Then. Statehood Now!” t-shirt and crewneck sweatshirt. The large print featured on the back is a reinterpretation of a combination of signs carried by marchers at the rally. This capsule is in recognition of this lesser known moment in the statehood movement. Using our medium of fashion, we want to bring awareness not only of this moment, but also amplify the ordinary women - Black women - that have done extraordinary things; oftentimes leading movements that they ultimately are the last to benefit from. 

Civil Rights activist Dick Gregory leading Southwest residents at Home Rule Day on the National Mall - Jul.. 17, 1966

The historical legacy for representation of D.C.’s residents via the Home Rule and Statehood movements is interwoven with the Civil Rights Movement, Black suffrage, and Women’s suffrage. Black women were instrumental in advocating for universal suffrage and equal representation in the 19th and 20th century and continue to be a force of political power in America today. 

Members of the American Federation of Teachers demonstrate in support of home rule - Jan. 1, 1967

From assembling church functions, attending political conventions, organizing meetings, forming political societies, to planning strategies towards gaining the right to vote, Black women have traditionally exerted their influence in American  politics to the greater benefit of the Nation.

Despite facing the patriarchy, sexism, and racism of white supremacy so deeply rooted at the core of American democracy — Black women leaders past and present such as Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Ida B. Wells, Sojourner Truth, Coretta Scott King, Rep. Shirley Chisholm, Rep. Cori Bush, Rep. Jasmine Crockett; to Black Panthers Elaine Brown, Ericka Huggins, Frances Beal, Fredricka Newton, and Kathleen Cleaver; to D.C. 's Nannie Helen Borroughs, Mary Church Terrell, Anise Jenkins, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Councilmember At-Large Christina Henderson, Councilmember At-Large Anita Bonds, Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, to D.C. Votes - Kelsye Adams, have all been a part of the legacy of advocacy and activism for the rights, freedoms, protection and representation of Black people and liberty for Washingtonians.

Black women have been formidable in social justice movements from before the founding of the United States but faced opposition even from within the movements they’ve fought so passionately for. Even now the contributions of Black women in politics, activism, and advocacy lack the broader acknowledgement of their accomplishment. While amazing strides have been made by the likes of those forementioned, these Black women and countless others are still largely under-recognized, under celebrated, and in some cases under attack. Longtime activists such as Anise Jenkins-Executive Director of Stand Up! for Democracy in D.C. (Free D.C.) have made it their life’s work in pursuit of statehood. 

Deeper knowledge of the Black Liberation, Women’s Equality, Civil Rights and the D.C. Statehood movements and how they are all interconnected and historically linked to other watershed social justice moments, is necessary to dismantle white supremacy and counter the actions of those in power acting to turn back time in America. Republican lawmakers in a number of states have even taken steps to deny the teaching of this full history through defunding education programs, outlawing curriculum, and banning books. 

The present day struggle for D.C. Statehood persists as racism and white supremacy persists as the primary obstacle to progress. Republican politicians continue to deny resolutions that would modernize American democracy and put total control of the District’s affairs in the hands of its citizens. D.C. Statehood is not only for full representation of Washingtonians but also the pathway forward for every citizen to be afforded the American ideal of liberty and justice for all.

Students demonstrate their support for home rule at a rally in front of the District Building - Oct. 3, 1973

SUPPORTING THE PRESENT DAY MOVEMENT 

A donation of $3.51 from every t-shirt and $6.51 of every sweatshirt sold will go to dcvotearchive.org / @dcvote in support of their mission. Founded in 1998, DC Vote is a national citizen engagement and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening democracy and securing equality for all in the District of Columbia. 

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Learn more about the legacy of  civil rights leaders and activists - both past and present - from “Mayor for Life” Marion Barry and luminary Coretta Scott King to Yaddiya and Kelsye Adams of Long Live GoGo, and their contributions to the history of D.C.’s Home Rule and Statehood movements:

Up from the People: Protest and Change in D.C. 

‘THE HOME RULE THEN. STATEHOOD NOW!’ CAPSULE

We priced the items in this capsule to be accessible; as spreading greater awareness of advocacy for D.C. Statehood holds more value than a profit margin. There’s also significance in the price itself, with the t-shirt pricing at $32 - representing the 3 stars and 2 bars of the D.C. flag; the crewneck sweatshirt at $66 - representing the year of the Home Rule Day Rally of 1966 and the .51 cents symbolizing D.C.’s push to become the 51st State in the Union.

SHOP THE CAPSULE

CELEBRATING FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH THIS WEEKEND IN D.C. 

COMMUNITY

SAMASAMA x Kam & 46 presents UMPUKAN, a Filipino-American History Month celebration! UMPUKAN will take place at Metrobar on Sunday, October 29 from 12 - 6pm. The celebration will feature food, music, art, fashion and live performances by Klout Sitty Burd Gyang, Cody As Always, with Les The DJ. 

We at Chris Cardi are proud to be a FIL-AM owned featured vendor. Join us for a Sunday Funday celebrating Filipino-American history, Filipino culture, shopping with FIL-AM owned businesses, and the broader diversity of our shared D.C. community. This is a free admission and family friendly event. Bring your friends and pamilya! We are excited to see you there!

Click here for more details and to RSVP. RSVP not required but we will honor a 15% discount on Chris Cardi pop-up purchases at UMPUKAN for those that do.

CULTURE

Hiraya is the newest addition to the H Street NE Corridor culinary scene and features a menu that celebrates the beauty, history, and flavors of the Philippines. To celebrate Filipino-American History Month, Hiraya is hosting a slew of Fil-Am chefs changing the game for Hiraya & Friends happening this Saturday, October 28 starting at 11am.

No reservations are needed and the tasty dishes will be served on a first come-first served basis. Don’t meet us there, beat us there!

Check out the line-up here: Hiraya & Friends.

COMMERCE

Honoring Chris’ Filipino roots, we’ll be releasing the 2nd drop of his Pinoy centric capsule collection of apparel and accessories “Salamat Po” Drop II this weekend. The capsule features clothing, accessories and art that will be available at the UMPUKAN Fil-Am celebration on Sunday, October 29 and available online Monday, October 30. 

Shop the “Salamat Po” Drop I capsule now online at chriscardi.com/salamatpo.

Be sure to subscribe to our emails for all the latest releases, updates, and events.

RSVP