Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Ruiz.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Denise. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Madre de Perla Designs was born in 2013 out of the grief that encompassed me through the death of my mother within the same year. Originally, a poet and community activist/educator, I found myself unable to describe that grief through written word. So, one day, I merged my love of thrifting with fashion and began to channel the pain through my hands giving birth to the first collection of redesigned vintage purses and wallets. It became my catharsis and assisted in my journey through loss.
Inspired by my own lineage of Indo-Afro-Caribbean & Latino/x culture and history, as well as the urban aesthetics of the diaspora in major cities across the U.S., I have continued to create, grow, learn and evolve a business that honors the uniqueness and one of a kind spirit of our mother/lands, while simultaneously lessening the carbon footprint through eco-fashion practices.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, not at all. It’s been a trial by fire for sure. I am completely self-taught so just that alone has been a process. I have had to learn not only how to create what I envision, but that not all materials work with that creation. I have had to change mediums used on my pieces throughout the years to find the most sustainable. I have had to learn not all bags or textiles are conducive to what I am creating. I have had to learn the hit or miss and unpredictability of the vendor grind. I have had to learn the ups and downs of sales. I have had to learn to pace myself and not get caught up on what other artists are doing and that comparison is an enemy to this journey. I have had to learn to trust myself and my hands. I have had to learn to be vulnerable in putting my work out there knowing not everyone will support it or get it and that is ok.
But for all of those learning bumps, I can honestly say, it has truly taught me and pushed me creatively and solidified for me, that I am doing what I am supposed to be. And the smooth moments or the moments that just work, definitely outweigh the struggles.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Madre de Perla means Mother of Pearl in Spanish. It is an ode to my mother who I lost to Cancer almost 5 years ago. The idea to begin this business was birthed through a death. So, that in it of itself is unique from many that I know who began their businesses to express creatively or make some side money. I needed this art to pull me out of the depths of my grief. I did not go into it with this idea that I would be pursuing this as a possible career choice, I went into it hoping I could create something beautiful amidst something heartbreaking.
I specialize in redesigning and flipping recycled and vintage materials into a new fresh piece. I take a used purse, bag, or broken pair of earrings or used leather and I remix it. All of my pieces are one of a kind. This means that whoever buys the item knows nobody out there will have what they have, their piece is special. I think that is what sets me apart for sure. I also draw on the complexities and beauty of my culture. There are definitely folks out there who upcycle and repurpose bags and jewelry, but the context of my creations are unique. I am not afraid to uplift where I come from in my art or connect it to language, elements and customs unique to my culture and diaspora and what/who I grew up with. I find that people are drawn to this. Representation matters on all scales. Even in my photography and marketing, I am intentional on having models, settings and tone be aligned to this upliftment.
The materials I use set me apart as well, I tend to push the boundaries by using mixed media in my art. So that it isn’t just textiles or one embellishment, it’s multi-layered: its paint, its earth elements, its imagery, its words. etc.
I am also proud of the collaborations I have had. I think many times artists are afraid to work together, to share success. I am not like that. I am about, how can we lift each other and combine our creativity to make something dope? I plan to continue this for as long as I am here.
What were you like growing up?
It’s interesting because when you look at where you are if you take a minute to think back you can see the trajectory. Growing up I was a bit nerdy. I was a reader, I was a dancer, I was a writer. I was all about fashion and read fashion magazines from front to back. I cut out pictures and taped them to my door before ever knowing what a vision board was. I grew up thrifting with my father and hitting up yard sales with my mother. Taking something someone else didn’t want and giving it new life was a way of life for us out of necessity. I was known in the family for being the most daring in my expression of dress, accessories etc, kind of the weird one. I sometimes got made fun of. I went through a hippie stage. I’ve been rocking big earrings, funky patterns and gold since I was a pre-teen. I journaled and wrote poems and short stories, I used to draw. I guess I was artsy, from the womb on out. When it came time to go to college I remember looking at the fashion design track and then getting scared because I had a baby and did not want to be broke pursuing a dream that was not what I thought to be realistic as a single mom. I put it aside. Sometimes I wonder where I would be today had I just trusted. But then I realize I am right where I am supposed to be regardless.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.madredeperladesigns.com
- Email: madredeperladesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/madredeperladesigns
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/madredeperladesigns
Image Credit:
Image # 5 (multi layered doorknocker earrings) photo credit: Mateo Zapata
Image #10 (blue purse with floral design) photo credit: Mateo Zapata
Image #2 ( the clutch with praying hands: a collaboration with artist Zahira Kelly
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