On Our First Year
What began as a stirring—an answer to a question I’d been asking myself for years, ever since it was posed to me by a professor in my MFA program: “What do you want to create in this world?” I continued to experiment, pushing my practice, as the question began to take on new meaning. Now, with our current state of overproduction, consumerism, and environmental ramifications, the question has become “What feels worthy of creating in this world?” And so a new framework for design critique and business practices slowly emerged.
With a vision and a business roadmap, I began MARSE one year ago today.
After creating several hundred early design iterations, eight made the cut and soon sample production was underway. Five months later, we shot the collection on my birthday. It was the best present I could ask for. And in early 2020, it was live.
The past six months began with an auspicious start, then unfolded into an unprecedented pandemic and a powerful movement. As with all entrepreneurial ventures, the year has developed in ways I couldn’t have planned. The most joyful, for me, are the relationships that have formed. I am incredibly grateful to be able to create and share MARSE, honored to have your support and excited to get to know you all here.
In planning the collection shoot, we developed our round 20x20” gusseted pillows to help communicate the MARSE aesthetic. Having received overwhelming interest, we’ve worked to make the price point as accessible as possible while maintaining our core values in local manufacturing and quality craftsmanship. The result—high-quality design-forward fabric on a lush velvet pillow, sewn locally—is something we are proud to be contributing to the world.
In celebration of our first year in business, we’re excited to announce that our pillows are now available for purchase.
Shop Pillows
Additionally, as a thank you for your continued support, we are giving away our round pillow flat-pattern for all who would like to cut and sew at home!
We’re transforming our manufacturing flat-pattern into a print-at-home guide. Be among the first to receive it by signing up below.
