Hello!

My name is Heather Schaffnit and I am an alumnus of Montana State University, where I studied architecture and design. I have always felt a strong draw toward the arts, so the MSU program’s focus on traditional media was a perfect fit. I have been drawing and painting my whole life, and had an earnest desire to take my art to a more usable scale. Many people my age could not afford intricate drawings, and I knew my work needed a level of utility to drive interest. I purchased a sewing machine in late 2022 and learned to use it on my own. It took several months before I could confidently lay a stitch. I began using fabric markers to draw and create patches in 2023, when I conceptualized the Chaos Closet. I consider it to be a passion project more than a business; a space to share my work in all forms. My work has evolved since this project was born, with my new collections featuring subdued designs more suitable for daily wear. My growing interest in garment construction has led me to modify the apparel itself, changing its wearability and modernizing outdated pieces.

Above all, the Chaos Closet is a recycling business, with all of my materials (except thread) being second-hand or salvaged.

The Chaos Closet is run solely by me with all photography, design, and assembly done from my home in Flagstaff.