In the bustling heart of New York City, something exciting is always happening. At the intersection of fashion, art, and innovation is this bespoke event; a collaboration between the iconic Wolf & Badger and dynamic Rehab Studios. I was running late due to an already overpacked schedule, cursing myself for not leaving my hotel sooner.

Protesters outside the Louis Vuitton boutique in Soho, calling to end their use of exotic animal skin, had traffic backed up for miles. A giant red purse-shaped sign stated, “Louis Vuitton: A Look That Kills.” It’s fashion week. This is expected.

I don’t have time to worry about animal preservation, I thought. My time in the city is focused around addiction recovery and human preservation. I requested my Uber driver let me out and walked the remaining distance to the store to bypass the protestors. I navigated my way through the busy streets, scanning the landscape for the small tucked-away sign for the Wolf and Badger boutique. With only a handful of storefronts nationwide in London, LA, and NYC, this brick-and-mortar location is a true gem.

Wolf and Badger is known as a “creative and ethical hub” for independent designers to showcase their fashion, accessories, and housewares. As many people in the industry know, it has quickly become a landscape of big business where fashion conglomerates such as Kering, LVMH, and Richemont rule the empire. Independent designers launching small-budget labels hardly stand a chance. That is why collaborations such as the one with Rehab Studios were important to the survival of private labels.

Upon entering the Wolf and Badger store visitors can pursue various samples of designer collections as they are organized to denote where one collection ends and another one begins. I walked in hesitantly because I was unsure how much space Rehab Barbie would be allowed to inhabit during such a busy time of year. I was pleasantly surprised to see the unmistakable sign displayed on one of the front-facing fixtures depicting a make-up-smeared Barbie. She is definitely the center of attention today, I thought.

Guests were greeted by the founder, Claire Comei, dressed in a bright pink tutu, happy to show people around. The narrative around her collection of bracelets and clothes is sorta in your face. Yet, Comai seamlessly offers a tongue-in-cheek approach to owning your story with mental health and addiction. One of the highlights of the event was the opportunity for visitors to engage with Rehab Studios’ innovative designs firsthand. It felt energizing to share a laugh with total strangers about a tee shirt. It’s empowering to talk about recovery in such a public setting, and Rehab Studios gave us all the nudge to open up at that event.

This brand brings recovering out loud to a new volume. It sends a message to the universe that says: I survived this addiction and mental health crisis, and now I can live a creative, authentic life in sobriety. It also insists on a snarky narrative that says, “I don’t take myself that f*cking seriously.” The concept is sarcastic and playful, and it is about a topic that most people only speak about in hushed tones. Merged with some Barbie core, bright colors, and pill bottles, you have the most gauche and glam brand of the 21st century.

A Curated List of All of the Other Times We Were Obsessed with Rehab Studios

Claire Comei – We Love You!

WALK YOUR TALK: This must-read section is a haven for sober fashionistas, delivering original content from our fabulous Sober Curators – Kate Vitela, Harley Skorpenske, and Alexandra Nyman. Living a sober life doesn’t need to be dull, and we’re here to smash the stigma surrounding addiction by showcasing that life can indeed be lived to the fullest without alcohol and in great outfits. If you were anything like us in your drinking years, getting dressed to party and the pre-funk that went with that, was usually part of the plan. After putting down the bottle(s), we’re even more excited about getting ready for life and you should be too!

Our lifestyle section is a comprehensive hub for all things related to sober living. Our #ADDTOCART section also highlights unique sobriety gifts, swag, products, and miscellaneous merchandise that we adore. We take pride in discovering and promoting small businesses established by individuals in recovery, contributing to a supportive community. So, let’s walk our talk together in style and sobriety. #becausedrunkneverlooksgood

The Sober Curator & Walk Your Talk are proud supporters of the Break Free Foundation, producing Break Free New York Fashion Week runway shows & annual gala. Click HERE to learn more about getting involved with this amazing fashion community that is rocking the runway for a good cause!

A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.