CONTAINER on The Metro: Inside Nerd’s House of Both Rows

Brittany Epps, known in Detroit’s creative circles as Nerd, is the founder of House of Both Rows. The sustainable fashion house is built on a simple but radical idea: nothing is truly thrown away. Old items are simply waiting to become something new. 

Nerd takes thrifted clothing and transforms it into completely original pieces, giving forgotten garments a second life as wearable art.

House of Both Rows has quickly grown in presence in the city. Nerd and team have brought designs to the runway at fashion shows across the city, building a reputation as one of the names to watch in Detroit’s sustainable fashion movement. Nerd also hosts events at The Ether, the brand’s shared creative space. 

When Nerd isn’t in the studio crafting new pieces, they’re in the community, running workshops for young people that go beyond fashion basics. They’re offering real-world experience in what it actually takes to run a creative business.

The through-line for their idea is a simple goal—to create legacy pieces. Nerd wants to do away with disposable fashion, and rebuild healthy relationships with garments that hold meaning. They want to craft items to be passed down for generations.

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CONTAINER On The Metro is a WDET produced storytelling series that brings Detroit’s creative heartbeat to the airwaves. 

CONTAINER is a program created by The Love Building. Its goal is to showcase Detroit’s creative talent across music, fashion, fine arts and food. Done in collaboration with WDET Public Radio with major support from the Gilbert Family Foundation.

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