Our Story
Nau, the innovative sustainable clothing company who closed its doors suddenly and unexpectedly in May due to a lack of funding, announced it’s re-launch in June 2008. To the delight of a loyal customer following, including former Regional Marketing Manager and Connect co-founder, Jonathan Shaun, Nau was coming back. "It was heartbreaking when Nau 1.0 closed shop.” Says Shaun. Here was this forward-thinking business bound and determined to revolutionize the sustainable apparel and retail industries with philanthropy at its core, and before it had a chance to really expand throughout public domain it was forced to wind down.”
When word spread that Nau was looking for select third party retail partnerships Shaun quickly called on business partners, Mitch and Nate Lindsay, and the three jumped at the opportunity to bring Nau back to Chicago. With Nau as its anchor brand and an innovative showroom and event space, Connect promises an inspirational shopping experience for all who visit the Wicker Park location.
In the spring of 2008, Nau 1.0 Chicago developed a conscious event for Creative Pitch. We raised over $4,000 for this progressive and local not for profit. Moreover, it was the last event the Webfront in Chicago would ever organize. We didn't know at the time but Nau 1.0 would wind down business within a couple of weeks. It was the end of a beautiful era and the beginning of new grounds.
Enter; Connect... the event was a genesis point for us here in Chicago - it has developed many positive relationships and continues to touch so many like-minded individuals. It was more than break-dancers in Nau clothing spinning on bamboo or street artists flinging VOC-free paint on reclaimed materials under LED lighting.
The co-founders of Connect met because of this event and spawned a new adventure that continues to be dedicated to the people, the plant, and conscious capitalism. Because of this event, Connect is selling Nau product in Wicker Park, we are still developing monthly conscious events, and creating positive change every step of the way.
That said, Nau continues to plant seeds that grow to influence the rest of the world. We thank you -- Ian, Mark, Peter, and the rest of the Nau crew for keeping the dream alive for every last one of us.
By the way, this video footage was almost lost forever, like so many elements pertaining to this journey - it rose from the ashes. We hope you enjoy!
Watch it now...