Born and raised in the Midwest and currently based in Seattle Washington, I am a multi-disciplinary artist and designer with an education in interior architecture and fine art.

My father is a furniture designer and has always encouraged my creative endeavors. I spent a lot of time outdoors as a kid, running barefoot through corn fields or along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It gave me an appreciation for nature at a young age. I never doubted art would be a part of my adult life. It’s always been a natural way for me to cope, reflect, or question my reality. My work explores themes of nature, femininity throughout history, religion, and human autonomy. I’m passionate about uplifting muffled voices, highlighting societal injustices, and evoking empowered emotions.

What materials do you most enjoy working with? What mediums do you utilize most? 

When it comes to painting, gouache is my sweet spot. I always come back to its forgivability and blendability! I appreciate its character. In my collage work, I hoard odd paper scraps from anywhere and everywhere. A discarded luggage tag or grocery bag can be repurposed into something new and I welcome the challenge to give it a fresh identity. I also lean towards old magazines or dated art history books—it’s direct insight into how life used to be, and how ideologies change and stay exactly the same all at once.

Feminine energy is overlayed in most of my work and I use analog and digital techniques to crop, remove or accentuate the female voice. At first glance, my pieces mockingly appease the male gaze but ultimately my work is for those who push forward despite oppression,  fight to reclaim autonomy, and unapologetically speak up and take space for injustice. More recently I’ve been incorporating my own photography into my collage work. Photography isn’t my most developed creative skill set but it’s something I really enjoy!

You said you believe sustainability should be inherent to one’s practice. Can you tell us about how you weave this into your process? 

I think we’ve passed the threshold where being oblivious to our declining climate is cute and dismissible. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions but everyone can play a positive part in the overarching storyline. Sustainability shouldn’t be a marketing ploy or a bonus concept, it should be baked into everything we do. My practice is far from perfect, but I value reuse in my material choices and ultimately tackle topics in my work that highlight societal injustices aimed at people and our planet. With that being said, screaming your sustainability choices from the rooftops doesn’t make anyone else’s practices less than. That’s my whole point. Make choices because you’re inherently pulled to do so. Small, genuine actions move bigger mountains than any inauthentic greenwashing campaign.

Let’s talk living sustainably/advocating for a sustainable future, and your art practice. Has your work always reflected a consciousness for the environment and a respect for/celebration of nature? 

Nature has been a direct influence on me and my work for as long as I can remember. I was raised between quiet midwest country and small-town life on Lake Michigan. My connection to the water and shoreline was sparked by my Mom and Grandma’s love for shell collecting and treasuring hunting for beach glass. I can confidently say I’ve always had a  level of respect for the power of nature but the deeper consciousness of our impact on the planet and what role I play in that has taken years to develop. My mother-in-law regularly references the Maya Angelou quote “when you know better you do better”, and that’s the ideology I associate with my growth in the sustainability realm of my practice. Do your best, adapt when necessary, and never stop advocating for a better future. Baby steps are still steps.

Tell us about a favorite collection.

My favorite collection to date is the terracotta shell tiles I’ve been painting over the last year. It’s not surprising to anyone who knows me or has seen my work, that I gravitate toward water, sand, and shells. Each tile is an ode to a therapeutic past-time, nature’s architecture, and the reclaiming of antiquated symbolism. I salvaged a hundred or so terracotta tiles roughly 3×3 inches in size. The tiles had a completely different existence before I got my hands on them. That’s part of the fun, they’re finite and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Each tile is unique in color, texture, and form even before I had the pleasure to start painting.

Where do you work from?

Historically I’ve worked from the floating home my partner and I purchased a few years back. It’s located on the edge of Lake Union and I’m biased but it’s a dreamy place to live and create. You’re as close to nature as you can get in a city setting and the access to water and sunlight directly contributes to my work. Recently, I began subleasing a small studio space in SODO. It’s a welcomed change from work/life overlap and there’s an added layer to creating alongside other creatives instead of in a silo alone.

Current favorite local creatives?

1)  Aidan Sakakini is a genius with a lot of mediums but ink on paper specifically. He’s a genuine soul who can capture other creatives in their natural environment. It’s special. He’s also involved in developing more of a fashion buzz in Seattle with his work at Sew Generously and bespoke suits in the heart of Pioneer Square.

2) Sharon Saritama of Gatherings Seattle is an event planner with a focus on intimate gatherings. Her location-specific tablescapes are a bonus to working alongside her radiant demeanor. She has a passion to ideate and create—nothing is off the literal and hypothetical table.

Visit LaurenWilcox.com and follow Lauren on Instagram to learn more.

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Matiz (mah.teez), meaning hue in the Spanish language, designs artisanal work that respects and preserves the indigenous traditions of handmade textiles. I began Matiz in the midst of the global pandemic in 2021, but most importantly in the spirit of my love and admiration for my roots. My designs are a reflection of the beautiful southern state of Oaxaca, Mexico, where my family’s story was founded. In an effort to support artisan makers, I have blended my past expertise in the commercial interior design industry and appreciation for sustainability, by developing artisanal rugs to bring more awareness to cultural heritage craft processes and sustainable practices.

Working directly with our artisans, we bring high-quality, small-batch rugs, committed to using locally sourced materials from Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca. We encourage our team to set their own wages and support them by allowing them to create and continue their craft for generations. 

oaxaca travel guide

Located in southern Mexico, the state of Oaxaca is known for its rich culture, diverse landscape, colorful architecture, and delicious food. If you’re looking for an all-in-one experience, begin your adventure in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca’s capital and largest city in the state. Its central location allows this city to be full of diverse experiences and learning opportunities from dialects, food, and artisanal goods.

Here are some prime locations to visit during your stay in Oaxaca City.

Templo de Santo Domingo: One of the largest cathedrals in the city that continues to hold history, exemplify baroque style architecture, and a strong religious significance. This is the perfect spot in the city to grab lunch or dinner at a nearby rooftop restaurant for extraordinary views of the church and the surrounding landscape. A few of our favorite spots are Gozobi, Tierra del Sol, and Casa Oaxaca.

• Jardin Etnobotanico: Located on the same block as Templo de Santo Domingo, Jardin Etnobotanico is a botanical garden that showcases a wide range of Oaxaca’s native plant species. One-hour guided tours are available in spanish, english, and french, however due to its popularity and limited capacity, it’s recommended you arrive 30 minutes prior on weekdays and an hour before on weekends.
• El Zocalo: El Zocalo is Oaxaca’s busiest public square with a kiosk right in the center. During the day, you can find vendors on the sidelines selling anything from painted alebrijes, embroidered clothing, elaborate beaded jewelry, to many other crafts.
• Mercado Benito Juárez: Walk a block south from El Zocalo to Mercado Benito Juárez, a covered market that showcases everything from artisanal goods to fresh produce. If you are on the hunt for more handmade goods, walk down two more blocks to El Mercado de Artesanias.
• Mercado 20 de Noviembre: The best time to hit Mercado 20 de Noviembre is either in the morning for breakfast or throughout the afternoon for lunch. There is an abundant amount of food stalls, all offering similar menus, so don’t be afraid to sit at any of them, you won’t be disappointed. We recommend you order a tlayuda, which is a large tortilla that is typically topped with, lard, beans, veggies, oaxacan cheese, salsa, and your choice of meat. To top it off, order an agua fresca (fresh juice), to complete your oaxacan meal.
• Hierve el Agua: If your time in Oaxaca allows for day trips to neighboring towns, we highly recommend you visit Hierve el Agua in the town of Roaguía. Due to its location and road conditions, it is best to travel with a local or an agency. Our time with Coyote Aventuras via Airbnb allowed us to visit multiple locations – Roaguía, Tlacolula, and a mezcaleria near Teotitlan del Valle.

wool rug making process

Matiz is a strong believer of sustainability and all it entails. Therefore, we believe in preserving our artisans craftsmanship which includes the practice of gathering local wool and producing natural dyes with ingredients from Teotitlan del Valle. Below is a brief summary of the wool rug making process our artisans have implemented for the past four generations.

1. Washing: After gathering the necessary quantity of wool for a rug, our artisans harvest a local ingredient called raiz de amole, found in Oaxaca’s luscious forests. Due to its cleaning properties, raiz de amole is used to wash the wool because it naturally produces foam.
2. Brushing: Once the wool has been washed and laid out to dry, the wool is continuously brushed until the brushing strokes are smooth and all the knots have been removed. The brushed wool is then spun on a spinning wheel to prepare a full skein.
3. Ingredients Selections and Dyeing: A few ingredients have to be selected in order to proceed to the dyeing process. This is one of the most exciting moments of the process as the color options are unlimited. Noted are some of the ingredients we use to create our standard yarn colors: cochinilla (cacti parasite), añil (indigo), musgo (moss), cáscara de nuez (walnut shells), cáscara de granada (pomegranate skin), flor de cempazuchitl (marigold flowers), and huizache (sweet acacia). Once the ingredients have been selected, they are placed in a large pot to boil until its color has been released, this is then a sign to submerge the skein until it has soaked it’s necessary color.
4. Loom Prep: Before stepping foot on the loom pedals to weave, the loom is prepped to the width the rug will be. This is an intensive process that requires a lot of concentration and uninterrupted time. If a strand of yarn is accidentally missed, our artisans need to traceback their work and begin once again.
5. Weaving: However, once the loom has been completely prepared, our artisans gather all the required colored spindles and weave away. This portion of the process is a lot of back and forth to step on one pedal to the next, physical strength to tighten each weave, and hours of standing. Our artisans’ hard work is never unseen and always appreciated.

 

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Thanks again to Jezarely and Matiz for sharing this Oaxaca travel guide and insight into their artisan process! Check them out, as well as other ethical home décor brands, in our sustainable directory, and follow them on Instagram @matizco_.

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Tell us your journey to bringing your designs to life. How did you find your manufacturers? What challenges did you come across in the industry?

My initial manufacturer research was based on the reliability, traceability, and the respectability of the manufacturing company. The jewelry industry is plagued by large suppliers producing very similar designs. This became our biggest problem; how do we generate the revenue necessary to create unique designs while placing orders large enough to warrant a contract with these larger suppliers.

After almost a year of many different tours, many samples, and a terrible number of no’s we were able to foster a relationship with a major supplier based out of Italy and Turkey. Both regions known for their craftsmanship. We were able to negotiate a contract allowing for some creative freedom, albeit limited. However, this allowed us to launch our first few collections.

Now that we have generated the capital necessary we look to take on more ambitious designs unique and true to the core ideals of the brand.

We have partnered with two artisans based out of Istanbul, their families of which have worked in jewelry making for several generations. This dedication to the craft and art form is why I was drawn to their shop and ultimately was the reason we formed a partnership. They will produce a brand new unique collection, completely handmade. This is only one of many new products we wish to introduce in the next year as we expand our offerings.

Over the last six months we have exploded, landing in a few different store fronts as well as online marketplaces. This increased exposure and reach has allowed us to begin fostering a community reflective of our ideals. In the next year we look to launch a blog and email chain featuring educational material on sustainability and lifestyle.

This new direction Milk and Rose is leaning towards is actually the direction I have always wanted to explore as my goal is not promoting the fast-fashion / factory made (even when it’s ethical), but more so special items to keep for many years, made by someone who is an expert in their field and make their art with love.

Silver is a precious, yet fragile soft metal that needs to be protected well in order for it to arrive to its final destination without dents and scratches. Unfortunately that means multiple packaging!

While brainstorming for the packaging, my goal wasn’t just for it to be 100% biodegradable, but also high quality and pretty enough to be reusable many times after. It’s one of those things that are “just too cute” to throw out, you know.

The packaging we use consists of a cardboard shipping box, cardboard jewelry box with a drawer, cotton pouch, (paper earring holder if applicable). All our cardboard packaging has FSC certification which means products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. Our pouches made out of cotton which could be used to store any kind of jewelry and is intended for reuse and storage of the product.

Tell us about your sustainability journey up until you started Milk & Rose. Have you always been passionate about sustainable/ethical design and consumerism?

Sustainability has been extremely important to me since I was aware of the consequences my actions make. When I first started to change my actions, it was rebellious or “annoying” to be conscious, now it’s annoying to think it was any other way.

Since sustainability wasn’t the hip marketing technique, I knew whatever I do, it was going to be as sustainable as I possibly could make it to be. Because as a person, I can only change my own actions, but as a company I can be a part of the change of other people’s actions, and it is powerful to have an impact towards the future I want to live in, and leave behind.

This actually shaped my company and helped me have a clear direction and a goal. I wanted to make sure that every decision I made, I could call “ethical”. This makes it very difficult to just release new products, or work with different companies, but on the flip side it makes me really aware of every aspect of a product offer, slows me down and reminds me again and again why I do what I do.

Of course, there are things I learned along this journey, things that could have been done better, more ethically, but it’s also a learning process for me, and as I learn, I adapt, change, and improve.

It’s also very interesting to be on the other side of the transaction: to create “that” thing people buy, and all the power you have in that offering and its final state. Demand is very important, yes, but a product could easily be adapted to sound like the demand by many marketing techniques, which makes it difficult to be a conscious consumer and as a consumer myself, I go through this challenge during every purchase decision.

My company is small right now, but my long term goal is to create a marketplace where people can shop without worrying about their impact because that will be executed well beyond its fancy sounding “sustainable” label, with actual practices backing it up.

What is your personal philosophy when it comes to shopping consciously?

I am one of those customers who spend hours at grocery stores, reading the back side of each product, knowing what PLU number is organic, with pesticides, with GMO. At the clothing store I’m the customer who is trying to find that little tag that tells you what kind of fabric the item is blend of.

My personal philosophy is—I’m not supporting and investing in your business even if I love your product—unless your business has the right intentions and does right.

I love shopping small, but I do shop at big businesses as well, as long as their product fits into sustainable category. At the end of the day, these companies have a big impact on what is put out into the landfills and I want that impact to be a good one.

Vida Después doesn’t believe in the end life of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It creates bright colored natural dyes using the peels, and other parts of the once fresh produce, and flowers. Then uses these dyes to color secondhand clothing and ethically sourced silk… and the end product is just gorgeous.

Circular Bodies is a company that designs wellness products using circular practices to achieve sustainability.

I have been exclusively using Circular Bodies body bars since I first discovered them a year ago. The best soap bars I personally have ever tried. The company’s vision and mission is also beautiful which makes me feel good about supporting.

Frost Road House makes the “old” look cooler than the “new”. I have sourced a lot of my props from this one super sweet lady who runs around collects the items and will personally deliver them to you!

Thanks to Pelin Cinar for sharing your journey to a sustainable jewelry brand, and giving us some new favorite shops to follow!

Find Milk & Rose in our ethical shop directory and at www.themilkandrose.com.

The post Starting a Sustainable Jewelry Brand with Pelin of Milk & Rose appeared first on Eco Club.

Four years ago, if someone had told me that I’d be starting my own fashion brand I would’ve laughed in disbelief. I always dreamed of having my own business but never in a million years did I think it would be fashion related. My background is in a completely different field and given my socioeconomic status starting any type of business at that time was a far-fetched dream. That is, until I started listening to a podcast called The Passionate Few. Interview after interview I kept hearing the same thing “find a need and fill it”. One day I ended up signing for an online webinar on how to start a fashion brand and now we are here.

#1 Lack of Plus Size Clothing Options

The first reason or need I identified in my life was lack of clothing options. You’re probably thinking that all women have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, but this isn’t the case for everyone. The options for plus size women are few and non-existent in many retail stores. It’s almost as if we don’t have careers to dress up for or special moments in life that we want to look nice for. Fashion is not only a way to express oneself, it’s also a necessity.

#2 Need For More Sustainable Fashion Brands

Once I started learning about the process that goes into making a garment, sustainability came into the equation. Not only was the final product important but also the process; the more I learned about the making of a garment the more obvious it became that sustainability was a must. Now, let’s not forget that I am also a consumer, so when shopping for myself the lack of sustainably made garments was very apparent. I’d like to remind everyone that just like any other consumer plus size women care about the environment too. We want options, we want colors, and we also want to know that the planet and its people were treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.

#3 Pursue a Lifelong Dream

The third reason why I decided to start my own sustainable fashion brand was to pursue a childhood dream. As mentioned previously, I always dreamed of having my own business. As an immigrant, it’s almost an obligation that we put on ourselves to be successful in whatever we pursue. Not only for ourselves but for our families, we feel pressure to make our parents’ sacrifice worth it.

#4 Empower & Educate Women

Lastly, another important reason why this journey began was to empower women. I was born in a town where a woman’s future was and still is for many, getting married and having kids.  Now, there’s nothing wrong with this, but many would like to pursue other paths and that means facing financial obstacles and experiencing a lack of opportunities. My long-term goal is to empower women by providing access to education and entrepreneurship. At the moment, we try to empower women by sharing encouraging content on our social platforms. We also set aside a part of our budget to donate to a nonprofit that aims to end human trafficking. Human tracking victims are predominantly women and girls, so this is our small way of contributing.

It’s amazing what can happen in four years but looking back at it, it makes perfect sense. As someone once said, “necessity is the mother of invention”: we either settle or take action. If you’re a small business owner I want to encourage you to look beyond the product. See how you can contribute to a better tomorrow because a small business CAN have a big impact.

Thanks to Judith of South Elevation for sharing! Follow along at @south_elevation for more on the brand and their upcoming launch. 

The post South Elevation: Why I Started My Own Sustainable Fashion Brand appeared first on Eco Club.

Before running your own creative studio, you worked with some larger fashion brands. How does your process differ now that you’re running your own business?
Working for big fashion brands has taught me lessons that are so incredibly fundamental about the how-to’s of building and running a successful business. I learned about the things that work, and more importantly about what doesn’t work. It allowed me to fail and make mistakes with multiple safety nets, something that’s not as safe to do when you’re running your own show.

The greatest privilege about being my own boss is that I set and follow my own values: mindfulness, community, environmental responsibility. When designing for a bigger organization, especially in the fashion industry, some personal compromises might have to be made for the greater good of the company. A designer’s job is ultimately to be attuned and adapt to a market and a consumer, and that might not always align with your own creative vision.

Being a value-driven designer is gratifying and gives an immense sense of purpose that may not be easily attainable when working for a brand that’s motivated by sales and numbers more than making a positive impact.

Another big plus about being a small business is how much more personable it gets. Getting to know customers, hearing their stories and understanding their needs and interests. Aside from the fact that it helps me greatly to fine-tune my work, it’s so rewarding to know there’s a real person who I’m creating for, rather than ambiguous data in a chart.

You’ve mentioned “recycling as a last resort”. What role does waste and recycling play in your business?
Problem solving is a fun exercise in creativity. It’s so important to me that I give thought to what materials I’m using and their impact on the user, the work and the environment. Rethinking purpose or end-use is a resourceful tool to optimize those materials and make sure they’re not being mindlessly discarded. It’s also a way to differentiate the product and offer an unusual or surprising element to aspects of design we might take for granted like merchandising, packaging and more. By upcycling and repurposing I’m eliminating the need to use virgin materials, and at the same time extending the lifecycle of the ones that I do choose to reuse.

Eliminating waste is also a key component of staying sustainable, and actually starts at the beginning of the creative process, way before considering to upcycle or repurpose.

Being mindful is huge for me as a designer as well as an individual, and it often means being aware of a project’s needs and sticking to a plan. Upcycling, repurposing and recycling are all symptom-based design tools. They address the issue long after it originated. What we all really should be doing in the first place is act with intention and pay attention to generating any excess we may at later encounter as a by-product of the design process.

How many fashion brands think about the waste issue before they even begin? That’s what we need to be doing. See more of Sivan’s work at sivanilan.com and on Instagram or Etsy.

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