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Q & A: Wear Proclaim, the NUDE revolution!
Proclaim was born from the frustrating experience of shopping for the perfect nude bra as a woman of color. Anyone who has gone through this has probably realized the same thing we did; the fashion industry has a narrow definition of the color “nude” and it does not include millions of women.
When I was asked to take part in representing the new nude lingerie company, Proclaim, I was both flattered to be asked and in awe of how the founder Shobha Philips was putting this whole campaign together. She brought together 6 gorgeous women of different ethnicities and types of bodies to showcase her new company lingerie Proclaim. A Lingerie Company! Not exactly your typical representation! She is pushing boundaries on fashion and changing peoples minds on what nude should look like. Not only do they have 3 beautiful different color tones, but all of the bras are made here in San Francisco and from a fabric that was once plastic bottles. We here at Melanie Abrantes Designs are always supporting sustainability and especially in a world of fast fashion. So I knew, even as uncomfortable posing in a bra would be hah, that this was a company I had the full support of!
See more images from the shoot and learn more about Proclaim below!
“As a woman of South Asian descent, I’ve always been aware of this color called nude that did not include me or millions of women in its narrow definition. It was frustrating trying to find the perfect undergarment for a white dress or lightweight top. It didn’t exist in my nude. In starting Proclaim, I wanted to address the lack of diversity and inclusion in fashion in a way that felt authentic to my own values as a conscious consumer. ”
BRAS FROM BOTTLES
Our fabric is made out of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic water bottles and is manufactured in the USA. Plastic water bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is BPA-free. In the recycling process, the bottles are sterilized and turned into small flakes. These flakes are then heated and spun to form strings of yarn which are knit into our recycled polyester (rPET) fabric. These fibers are certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) for recycled content claims and have received the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification, ensuring that they are free of harmful levels of more than 100 restricted chemicals.
By using recycled polyester we are diverting plastic from landfills, where bottles are estimated to take up to 400 years to decompose. In addition, we are reducing the reliance on natural resources such as petroleum which are used to make virgin polyester.
JOIN Shop is Open!
I am so excited to announce that JOIN just opened a storefront in Seattle! We are so honored to have our goods in this space. Sallyann and Joe from fruitsuper are heading this new venture for JOIN and they did an amazing job! The JOIN Shop is filled with all American made goods from stylish accessories to gorgeous furniture. The shop features over 50 independent designers and makers around the US. JOIN is proudly bringing a platform and home for these beautiful objects. Starting August 2017 they will also be adding events, workshops, and classes to the calendar to further connect the hand of the maker to the beautiful objects in your home. Including a carving workshop with me in September that will be a part of my book tour!
If you're in the area, please go check it out and support this new local gem. They would love to see you!
Location:
400 Fairview Ave N, Suite 102 | Seattle, WA
Hours:
11:00-6:00 Tuesday-Saturday
Design/Curation : fruitsuper
Partner : JOIN Design
Branding : Civilization
Photography : Love Song Photo
Book Pre-order Now Available!
Pre-Order Carve
Ships out August 22, 2017. Get a signed copy in the shop TODAY!
WOW! Only a month away until Carve officially debuts! I am so proud of this book and I can't wait to share with you how to make all of these new projects! Book tour and workshops will be happening in the fall! Make sure to check the calendar to see if we are coming to a city near you!
About Carve: Whittle a beautiful spoon, comb, pair of dice, and more with this fresh introduction to a folksy craft. Carve modernizes a mindful hobby that people have turned to for generations to help them slow down, relax, and connect with the outdoors. Choose from a dozen projects with bespoke details, all are designed to be useful at home or while camping. And because these objects are small, they require only a few hours and a tool or two to complete. You'll also learn how to choose the right knife and wood, helpful information on techniques and safety, and tips for refining, personalizing and maintaining your piece. Whether you're headed to the woods or just to the porch, this pocket-sized guide will have you carving your own unique designs in no time.
WEST COAST CRAFT X CAMPARI PANEL DISCUSSION
West Coast Craft and Campari America invited me to be apart of the first installment of their Aperitivo Series, Artists and Makers. I was on a panel with other artists and designers discussing what it was like to be in this community and how we run our businesses. It was a great night full of interesting discussions and delicious food and drinks. Campari made their signature drinks and WCC provided a beautiful array of snacks.
Please check out the images of the panel below!
Megan Shimek's beautiful wall hangings.
Cocktails by Campari America
Guests mingiling before the panel discussion.
Kristen Phillipkoski moderated the conversation between us artists, Meghan Shimek, Sam Culkins, Shawn Kam, and Morgan Schick, about our creative practice, and how San Francisco inspires our craft.
My cork planters on display for the show!
Our moderator and fellow artists!
Anna Wu's Spoon Carving Workshop
Images courtesy of Kayla Photography + Anna Wu
I'm so excited to share the images from a gorgeous event I had the pleasure of teaching for Anna Wu, a terrific SF based wedding photographer. Anna has a delightful birthday tradition she shares with her close friends. Instead of throwing a traditional party, each year she has her friends join her to learn a new craft. I'm obsessed with this idea and would love to do something similar with my friends.
Images courtesy of Kayla Photography + Anna Wu
The birthday soiree was held in the outdoor courtyard of Anna Wu's gorgeous studio. Florals were all done by Amanda Vidmar Design, I love how she styled delicate single stems using my bud vases. Her bouquets were full of colorful, fragrant flowers that I was totally swooning over.
Images courtesy of Kayla Photography + Anna Wu
Images courtesy of Kayla Photography + Anna Wu
Anna's friends were all so kind and I had a lovely time teaching them how to carve their spoons. Their energy was infectious, it's always a pleasure to teach a group that is creative and ready to learn.
Images courtesy of Kayla Photography + Anna Wu
The finished spoons were beautiful and I left the party feeling so proud of all my "students". I'm confident they will use the skills I taught them to continue carving and expanding on this fun and easy craft.
Images courtesy of Kayla Photography + Anna Wu
Thank you, Anna, for inviting me to teach at your birthday soiree! It was a lovely morning spent with a great group of talented people!
Toronto Design Offsite Festival + Outside the Box
Outside the Box, January 2017. Photo by Jenna Wakini, courtesy of Toronto Design Offsite Festival and WantedDesign.
This past January I had the amazing opportunity to curate for Wanted Designs exhibit for the Toronto Design Offsite Festival. Specifically, I curated the San Francisco Bay Areas exhibit for the Wanted Design's: Outside the Box!
Curating has become an exciting addition to my design arsenal and each opportunity I have been given to flex this creative expression has been endlessly rewarding, Outside the Box was, of course, no exception!
Outside the Box, January 2017. Photo by Jenna Wakini, courtesy of Toronto Design Offsite Festival and WantedDesign.
Outside the Box featured 11 cities spanning from Los Angeles to Halifax, each city was represented by one curator who had the exciting responsibility of choosing thoughtfully designed objects that reflect the particular resources and makers of their area.
Outside the Box, January 2017. Photo by Jenna Wakini, courtesy of Toronto Design Offsite Festival and WantedDesign.
The designers I chose to represent San Francisco were ~
+ Adrian Clutario | www.adrianclutario.com
+ Alice Tacheny | www.alicetacheny.com
+ Fire Road | www.fireroad.us
+ Hannah Quinn | www.hannahbeatricequinn.com
+ Heather Palmer | www.heatherheather.com
+ Materials + Process | www.materialsandprocess.com
+ Melanie Abrantes | www.melanieabrantes.com
+ Most Modest | www.mostmodest.com
+ Silvia Song | www.silviasong.com
Outside the Box, January 2017. Photo by Jenna Wakini, courtesy of Toronto Design Offsite Festival and WantedDesign.
San Francisco is a multi-layered city that celebrates its inhabitants differences and diverse backgrounds. Our designers chose to explore unique materials and ways of creating objects through the use of varied craftsmanship and technology. There is a dichotomy at play in this city that is an undercurrent in design, the push and pull of our natural surroundings and our engagement with technology. As designers we have embraced these opposing influences to create work that is as multifaceted as our habitat.
La Fem Pop-Up ReCap
In early December we proudly opened the much anticipated La Fem Pop-Up! This Holiday Pop-Up was a curated temporary Holiday store featuring local female designers and makers in South Berkeley in partnership with the store Social Studies.
I had such an amazing experience curating and working on the La Fem Pop Up with Social Studies. I'm so grateful for all of the love from the community, people came far and wide to come visit the space. We worked together as a collective to put the store together, painting, merchandising and decorating. I wanted a minimal rock garden at the front of the space as well as a feminine touch of dusty pinks and neutrals. I couldn't have been more excited with how La Fem turned out! Check out the images below to see for yourself!
Entrance to the shop. You can see the tables and shelves full of goodies.
Waltz clothing, Golden Pony Necklaces and bags by Materials and Process.
We had a gorgeous bouquet made by the amazing floral duo Studio Mondine! Their pink blooms matched perfectly with the La Fem color scheme! The pink pillow is a custom piece from Mineral Workshop and the Rattan Chair is by WEND.
We had my new pink marble cork on display on the table! You could also find jewelry by Christy Natsumi, Abacus Row and ceramics by Totem Co.
I can't thank the AMAZING ladies that were a part of it enough, everyone worked together to run the shop and keep it looking beautiful. Thank you, thank you for all of your hard work :)
Full List of Participants:
- Abacus Row
- Alice Tacheny
- Christy Natsumi
- Emma Moran
- Golden Pony Workshop
- Materials + Process
- Melanie Abrantes Designs
- Mineral Workshop
- People I've Loved
- The Greater Goods
- Totem Co
- Waltz
- WEND Studio
- Western Editions
Until next time! Please let me know what you thought of the pop up in the comments below :)
LA FEM HOLIDAY POP-UP & WORKSHOPS!
I am so excited to have curated this all women's show, La Fem Holiday! We are taking over Berkely's Social Studies in December to bring you an amazing line of up women designers and makers! I feel like more than ever we need to be supporting businesses and companies that matter to us. I wanted to create a pop-up that featured all of the cool women I know in the bay area and love personally. From Jewelry to Homewares, we have you covered for the holiday season! Find out more about the show below:
Friday, December 9th will be the OPENING PARTY! Come join these talented studios to celebrate the season, shop, and drink the night away! RSVP Here!
Featured Designers and Makers:
+ Abacus Row
+ Alice Tacheny
+ Christy Natsumi
+ Emma Moran
+ Golden Pony Workshop
+ Materials + Process
+ Melanie Abrantes Designs
+ Mineral Workshop
+ The Greater Goods
+ Totem Co
+ People I've Loved
+ Waltz
+ WEND Studio
+ Western Editions
The opening party will be from 7 pm - 10 pm on Friday, December 9th. But the Holiday Pop-Up will last from December 9th to Sunday, December 18th! Come all week to shop this curated Holiday store.
Sign up for our workshops as well!
2016 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
The holidays are around the corner and we are always scrambling to get the perfect gift for the ones we love. This year we've tried to make it easy and picked out our favorite pieces from our collection. From the entertainer to the DIYer, we got you covered!
LOCAL TIP: If you're in the bay area come see us at West Coast Craft this weekend, Nov, 12-13 10am -6pm. Check out the calender to see other markets and events we will be at this season!
Bauhaus Metal Coasters are the perfect gift for the serial entertainer. Bring these coasters to their next holiday dinner party and become their favorite guest! Each coaster is sold individually but you can also purchase them as a set. $26-$120
Cork Hanging Planters are for those city-dwelling friends that have run out of space in their small home! Easily hang these pieces from the ceiling to enjoy a little greenery at home. Bonus: Let them know you can use it as a fruit basket as well! $74- $110
Hardwood Bud Vases is a unique piece to for anyone that loves fresh flowers in their home. To make it even that much more special, give this gift together with flowers from a local florist! $60-$75
The Deluxe Spoon Carving Kit is for that SERIOUS DIYer. Get anything and everything you need for carving several spoons on those wintery weekend afternoons. $199