Cleveland’s First Frocktails Event to Showcase Local Makers and Handmade Fashion
Published: Sep 13, 2026 - 11:59 a.m.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The local maker community is preparing for a new kind of social gathering as the city hosts its first Cleveland Frocktails event this October. Scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 18, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the gathering will take over CLE Urban Winery on Lee Road. While the concept originated in Melbourne, Australia, in 2013, this marks the first time Cleveland's sewists and crafters will have a dedicated local chapter to showcase their work in a cocktail social setting. Dru Thompson, a veteran fashion designer and owner of Dru Christine Fabrics & Design, is bringing the event to Cleveland Heights. Thompson has spent more than 30 years in the industry, building a career that includes costume design for feature films and operating her own creative studio in the city. She has observed the Frocktails movement growing in other major cities and felt the time was right to give Cleveland's talented maker scene its own platform. According to Thompson, the afternoon is designed to be part happy hour and part runway show. It is an opportunity for people who usually connect over social media or in fabric store aisles to meet in person, dressed in their own handmade creations. Though the name suggests sewing, the event is open to knitters, quilters and any craft enthusiasts who want to celebrate the slow-fashion movement. Attendees do not have to be experts, as the goal is to foster a supportive environment for all skill levels. The choice of CLE Urban Winery provides a backdrop that fits the maker theme, given the venue's own focus on handcrafted, locally produced wines. Several local and national brands have signed on as sponsors, including National Threads Magazine and Moonstruck CLE, signaling strong interest in the region's creative economy. According to the event organizers, attendees can expect a curated experience that ends with an informal runway where makers can model their pieces for their peers. Tickets for Cleveland Frocktails are currently available through the Dru Christine Fabrics & Design website. Those interested in attending or seeking more information about sponsorship opportunities can contact the organizers at frocktailscleveland@gmail.com. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.
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