Some ninjas’ weapon of choice is a sword, but at Fashion Ninja, the needle and thread are preferred.

Areka Ikeler, 28, opened Fashion Ninja in Bay View four years ago. The facility houses her boutique, studio and classroom. She has sewn over 1,200 garments since opening its doors and has no intention of stopping anytime soon. Her urban-chic designs play a starring role in Milwaukee’s thriving fashion scene.

“This is an artist-run shop,” says Ikeler. “You can sense immediately this is not a commercial establishment.”

The Brew City has never been known as an anchor in the fashion world, but times are changing, and Ikeler and a number of independent designers are shaking up the local scene. Milwaukee’s passion for fashion is stronger than ever, says Ikeler, and will only continue to grow.

An interest in the do-it-yourself (DIY) clothing movement is rippling across the nation, turning our industrial city into an increasingly fashion-conscious environment, says Ikeler. Locals are also becoming more interested in spending their dollars at independent businesses and shunning big corporations.

“These days it’s cooler to make something,” Ikeler says. “It shows more charm and character.”

Though the mainstream DIY phenomenon is relatively new, she has been designing almost a decade in the epicenter of Milwaukee’s fashion scene.

Ikeler’s fashion fascination was sparked when she was 17 years old after mingling with other artists. For the first time she was embraced as a new talent and her ideas of independent fashion gained support.

For two years the budding designer attended Mount Mary College, the only local university offering a major in fashion design, but withdrew with plans to pack her bags and enroll at an out-of-state college. Instead, this Milwaukee native stuck to her roots and set up shop.

Today, she tries to find a balance between high fashion and everyday wear.

Ikeler, who enjoys material that creates interesting shape, describes her clothing as cutting edge, but not so avant garde that it can’t be worn on the street. She favors interesting cuts to accentuate the body.

Currently she is experimenting with voluminous styles — a trend spreading like wildfire on runways.

“It expresses high fashion,” Ikeler says. “It’s the type of clothing line one can incorporate into their closet easily.”

But her clothes are not trendy, one-hit-wonders.

There is certainly something edgy about the bubble-gum pink, deep V-neck blouse with a black lace racing stripe hanging from a rack in her boutique. It also has an element of class which radiates from all of Ikeler’s clothes.

“You’re getting a lot more here,” says Ikeler, who cites the human form as inspiration for her creations.

She designs for all women, but there’s one requirement before slipping into that blouse: a Fashion Ninja connoisseur needs a unique mindframe to don Ikeler’s one-of-a-kind duds. She wants her clothing to empower the woman wearing them and express her individuality.

“You have to love art to wear the clothes here,” Ikeler says.

For now, only Milwaukeeans can enjoy her clothing — but not for long.

In a tomorrow not so far from today, Ikeler hopes fashionistas across the nation will be wearing her threads. At the top of her to-do list is building relationships with out-of-state retailers.

“I’d love to see Chicago and Los Angeles pick up Fashion Ninja, and everywhere in-between,” she says.

Ikeler is working on expanding production on a small scale with a local apparel factory. She is proud that her line will remain “made in Milwaukee.”

Though she sticks to creating one-of-a-kind pieces, Ikeler’s clothes will maintain a sense of individuality after production. For example, she may allow only one red style of top in her line.

“You can associate Fashion Ninja with supporting artists and being built in Milwaukee,” Ikeler says.

Ikeler has another love besides fashion — teaching. She offers sewing classes to people interested in testing their abilities with a needle and thread in an affordable way. Ikeler describes herself as a passionate teacher who gives her students creative freedom. Students can sell their work in her shop under a consignment basis.

“I want to totally support Milwaukee people who want to learn fashion,” she says. “The way I teach produces a lot of interesting and wearable designs from the student body.”

Though Ikeler’s one-woman operation keeps her busy, don’t expect Fashion Ninja to slow down anytime soon.

“When you’re doing what you love, there is no clock in and out,” Ikeler told Curb magazine in 2005.

Check out Fashion Ninja at fashionninja.com, or stop by the boutique at 2671 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

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