Blog
Beauty Starts With You: Get to know These One of a Kind Makers
03 . 09 . 2023
You are Be-You-Tiful. We spoke with four Spring 2023 One of a Kind artists and makers whose creations encourage and empower everyone to love the skin they're in--from the inside out.
Charita Lucus, along with her sisters Audrella and Charlotte, are on a mission to help all people feel embraced, supported and loved in their own skin through dOSA Naturals' wonderful line of undiluted, clean, safe, natural and simple body care products.
What inspired you to create a skin care line?
Charita: Our great, great grandmother Dosa McGee always said, “Everybody deserves happy skin.” That’s what inspired us to create our natural, health and environmentally conscious skincare products. In addition, proceeds from each sale at dOSA Naturals helps us serve minority youth in underserved communities through our non-profit organization Future Cycle Breakers, where we create opportunities for generating wealth by providing Entrepreneurial Readiness Education that builds upon inborn traits and the natural ability to imagine.
Is there anything you're looking forward to bringing to this year's Spring Show?
Charita: Yes. Our Gift and Self Care Bundles,
What does handmade mean to you? Do you have a most cherished handmade possession?
Charita: Handmade means creating with love. It means going back to a simpler less toxic way of life. Handmade means Happy. My most cherished handmade possession is a blanket that was made for my first born son which he has since passed down to his first born son!
Artist J. Emmett's work expresses beauty as an inherent quality in all forms regardless of society’s current understanding of what is valued as beautiful.
What do you try to convey through your work?
J. Emmett: My work is political and spiritual and I aim to articulate a heartbeat in my pieces while also stripping away the preciousness of my work. Connection is at the center of everything I do and the concept of beauty as a birthright is what I offer. I believe observation and acknowledgement of a form’s beauty diminishes the desire to restrict, control, or harm that body, thus honoring the right to bodily autonomy in all forms.
What inspires you to create?
J. Emmett: Connection to others, my environment and my heart is what inspires me to create alongside challenge and discovery.
What does handmade mean to you? Do you have a most cherished handmade possession?
J. Emmett: Handmade means connection throughout the inception and creation process from the maker to the material. I have so many cherished handmade possessions, it's hard to pick my favorite!
Mckenna Bisson wishes to deconstruct beauty standards by reclaiming a healthier body image with her easy-to-wear line of non restrictive everyday garments.
What is the ethos behind your work?
Mckenna: I believe everyone should feel free to express their style, regardless of unrealistic industry standards.
Where do you find inspiration?
Mckenna: When I am ready to create a new collection, I find inspiration looking at people around me, fashion trends, and movements in general. I then look for the right fabric to recreate the image that I have in mind. I only use fabrics that allow my clientele to feel comfortable throughout their busy day. Furthermore, my collections are designed around eco-friendly materials such as bamboo rayon and Lyocell.
What does handmade mean to you?
Mckenna: Handmade is so powerful. All the creativity translated in an object.
Founder Billy Grady describes Bloom as a "mental wellness company" on a mission to provide people with natural tools to support their mental well-being.
What led you to start your business?
Billy: I struggled with a crippling mental health issue, and after two years of trying different medications with no relief, I reluctantly turned to a naturopathic doctor. To my surprise, after just three weeks of taking amino acids I was feeling better than I had in years. This experience left me with two burning questions: "Why isn't natural medicine plan A instead of plan B in mental healthcare?" and "Why don't we take things to support our mental wellness every day like we do with our physical wellness?" So I started Blossom in hopes of changing that.
Tell us more about Bloom.
I've collaborated with naturopathic doctors to develop a line of convenient and delicious barista-style superfood latte mixes that meet the unique needs of every customer. I'm inspired to make natural medicine more accessible to people, and to encourage people to prioritize supporting their mental wellness just as they do their physical wellness.
Is there anything you're especially excited to bring to this year's Spring Show?
Billy: Yes! We recently launched a Vanilla Lavender Sleep Latte that has quickly become a customer and staff favorite.
Meet these Makers and hundreds more at the One of a Kind Spring Show, April 28-30!