Today, we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Malvar-Stewart.
Hi Celeste, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story as a fashion and fiber artist started in my hometown of San Francisco, where my family of four immigrated from the Philippine Islands in the 1970s. SF in the 1970s was a time of rich and diverse cultures (and culture shock!), and my exposure to all the Bay Area had to offer, as well as the local fashion of many genres, greatly influenced me.
As a brown immigrant, I learned to hustle for any endeavors and to be resourceful in my use of materials, which helped build the character that I possess today; and because the language and accents were new to me, I learned quickly that art was the quickest and best way I could communicate.
I can still recall vividly the wonder I experienced when I visited a neighbor’s garage sewing studio and how all the different fabric remnants on the floor fascinated me – even at such a young age, I remember thinking, “what can I make with all of these scraps of fabric?” It’s no surprise that I strive to create my art and fashion with sustainability in-mind!
That experience in my formative years was further enriched by having gone to university in London, England and traveling throughout Europe and Russia in my four years abroad. I believe that exposure to so much diversity influences my aesthetics and reflects so much of who I am today.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest and constant struggles is being able to balance my work and personal life; because I love what I do, I’m always doing it! However, this also translates into neglecting aspects of my life that I also enjoy, like gardening, cooking, and homemaking. Fortunately, as I get older, I get better at it because my priorities change as my goals change and are realized.
Life has a way of allowing us to feel humility, which is also always a good thing! Another ongoing professional struggle is fighting the myth that smaller local brands have less value than big-name luxury brands. The notion that people perceive locally made clothing as equivalent to DIY has given me insight into educating others about the quality and caliber of work.
I believe that brands of any scale should be perceived by the quality of their products even more than the image of the brands themselves. One way that I fight through these obstacles is by teaching the next “generation” (of all ages) through mentorship and on a collegiate level.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a fashion and fiber artist who creates couture pieces that intersect fiber art. I specialize in making my textiles using felting, weaving, spinning, natural dyeing, and surface design to create what I’m most known for: my signature ethereal fashion and visual art.
I’m also known for building my pieces around topics of concern, like our climate crisis and book bans. I’m most proud of my constant effort to create more sustainably and share the importance of doing so with others, especially the next generation of designers and artists. The connections that I’m able to help people experience between ourselves and what we choose to wear fill me with joy and hope!
I believe what sets me apart from others is a combination of things, starting with the fact that I actually know the animals whose fibers I use to create my pieces! Because I strive to create more mindfully and being based in Columbus, I have the luxury and joy of visiting various Ohio family farms and developing wonderful relationships with them and their animals.
These relationships also allow me to access some of the finest fibers from very happy alpacas, sheep, and Pygoras while supporting locals!
Moreover, I have the ability to combine ancient techniques to create very distinct high-end pieces that are accessible and luxurious and yet designed using a sustainable model that includes zero waste, upcycling, biodegradable, regenerative, and minimal carbon footprint (since most of my supply chain is local).
So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
What matters most to me is connection, how I impact others and our ecosystem, and how we all impact our planet.
I treasure the beauty of our environment and find so much joy in the many animals, wildlife, insects, and marine life that share our planet with us; so, it matters to me how I do what I do… it matters to me to be mindful of how I create… it matters to me what my generation will leave behind for the next, which is why I am also an educator.
I believe that by creating connections – whether through our art or personal engagement – we have a better chance of caring for one another across all species who share Mother Earth. I think my question is, “Why not?”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.airoshowroom.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malvarstewart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celestemalvarstewart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_cD9UD5UZo
Image Credits
Wendy, Pramik, Priscilla, Dwomoh, Shiann Banks, and Solomon Sellu
