At its core, fashion is about looking forward, but Emily Adams Bode’s appeal lies in her ability to look back and make the old feel new. The self-proclaimed lover of vintage has made a name for herself with menswear that transforms unique, historical textiles into classic workwear silhouettes.

Bode cites her mother and sisters as the main reason behind her love for vintage, as they would often frequent antique stores on family outings.

“I’ve been antiquing since I was a little girl. Some of the people I work with I have known since I was a child,” Bode explained. “We also work with vintage dealers all across the world. I still enjoy sourcing it myself – whether it’s at flea markets or sometimes online. Usually it’s sourcing during the summertime at fleas.”

The Atlanta-born designer is a living testament to the age old adage that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. What some may view as damaged goods presents an opportunity for Bode. Take, for example, a pair of bold patchwork pants currently on display at her Chinatown studio. This particular design was repurposed from a quilt of scraps of tobacco silk, a popular souvenir in the early 1900s that came with purchasing cigarettes and tobacco. “We were able to bring it back to life by mending all the stains and tears and all the initial wear the textile had,” she said. Actor and musician Donald Glover is just one of the look’s fans.

Racks of over-sized quilted jackets and delicate embroidered shirts give the space a sense of intimacy. Describing her line as “historical, comfortable, and timeless,” it becomes  clear just how much this is a labor of love for Bode – and customers are starting to respond. Her unique sensibility has resonated with men far and wide, establishing Bode as one of the few female designers in menswear.

“I’ve always been attracted to menswear. I petitioned to wear the boy’s uniform when I was growing up because it was the dead of winter and we had to play be outside and I thought girls should be able to wear the pants,” Bode recalled. “I think it’s because of the utilitarian aspects of menswear. I love workwear-inspired clothing, and the pieces are made from boyish silhouettes and the details of a lot of historical details are what I’m more so attracted to.”

For Bode, her perspective as a woman gives her a unique vantage point that helps her standout from the rest.

“I work with a lot of female made textiles,” she explained. “We are working with textiles that were initially constructed for the home and family members, and have an intrinsic quality and history to it, I think as a female I bring a storytelling aspect to menswear. There’s a sense of history with each individual textile – behind the mending, sewing, and different quilting methods.”

While she is mulling global expansion, the designer is content with sticking around her cozy Chinatown studio – overflowing with her latest vintage textiles and knick knacks – for now. The energy of the area to the local souvenir shop adjacent to her office is just too good to give up – as is her favorite local restaurant, Spicy Village.

“The spicy cucumber salad,” she said, without skipping a beat, “is my go-to dish.”

For our full interview with the 2018 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist, check out our Question Time Series exclusively on our IGTV Channel.