I haven't talked much publicly about Make + Matter over the past few months / year. The short story is that we closed the shop in March when Covid cases first started to show up in PA, and we never re-opened. The slightly longer story is that I was briefly involved in creating and running one of the most beautiful shops that I have ever been inside of, and I miss parts of that experience every single day.
I first met Kelly Simpson-Scupelli when I was her brunch bartender at Park Bruges Cafe around 2013/14. She was pregnant at the time, and soon after a new mother, when her adorable family would come in some Sundays and sit at the bar until their table was ready. I knew that Kelly was a clothing designer, and I was starstruck. I couldn't stop myself from telling her about my upcycle design dreams, and she was sweetly encouraging.
In late 2017 Kelly approached me with an idea to open a curated boutique of all Pittsburgh-based designers. From there, Kelly, Rona Chang (of Otto Finn), and I got to work and in opening Make + Matter, we accomplished one of the things that I am most proud of. Being a co-owner of Make + Matter was transformative for me in so many ways, but for me, the guidance, patience, and affection that I received from Kelly & Rona was most important aspect of the project.
I mean, look at these two!!!
Me, Rona, Kelly right before M+M opening, June 2018
I miss seeing them. I miss our weekly meetings. I miss complaining about the length of our weekly meetings. I miss laughing and crying and brainstorming with them. I miss arguing just as much as I miss agreeing! I miss being in the space that we created together.
Me in Make + Matter, 2019
Chelsea of Faire Fauna, with the 1 year anniversary embroidery that she made for the shop, 2019
Kelly, Rona and I in one of those long meetings, 2018
Kelly recently decided to take a sabbatical from her clothing line, Kelly Lane, and in the process, I have come to be the steward of a large amount of her fabric. Some of these are solid organics, which I will be using in Flux Bene pieces for years to come. Some others- the most special ones- feature original prints from Kelly's collections throughout the years.
Woking in the studio with the fabric in this collection has been a meditative process for me. I have been steeped in an amount of gratitude that I am not sure how to express. Kelly changed my life. I don't think that is what she set out to do when she asked me to join her in Make + Matter, but that is the result. I will never stop being grateful to her for believing in me and taking a chance, and for continuing to be gracious even in the (hopefully few) moments when she probably regretted taking that chance ; )
This micro collection of 6 Studio Frocks feature a print that Kelly designed for her Cavern Collection. It is a soft French Terry in olive, and it paired beautifully with the base garments to create some extra cozy Frocks. I am looking forward to working with more fabrics from Kelly's collection, feeling more gratitude, and swimming in beautiful memories.
Love,
Rebekah Joy
Thank you all for choosing to dress consciously. Whether you are making your own Sketchbook Jacket, or adopting one that we made, your support of this small recycling project means the world to us.
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