“When the sun rises, it rises for everyone”
-Cuban Proverb
a creative on a mission.
Hola! I’m Marissa. I believe that we should all pursue our bliss. That we are all connected. And that we, as members of a global community, are better off when we nurture ourselves and forge our own path.
My passion is to bring the beauty of ancient arts and the wisdom of global healing practices to the 21st century. To create unique spaces that cultivate positive energy and inspire us to be our best selves.
I love meeting new people and figuring out ways to collaborate. In my spare time, you can find me dancing bachata and indulging in delicious pastries and experimental libations. I’m currently exploring Ayurvedic medicine and energy healing on my path to wellness. On occasion I’ve been known to create personas with different accents. British, Indian, Russian, Southern. Cheerio love!
‘a quirky mix’
When I got accepted to the London College of Fashion program in Sustainable Design in 2010, the acceptance officer said “you certainly have a quirky mix of backgrounds.” Quirky as they are, those diverse studies in culture, journalism and human rights have paved a beautiful journey in which storytelling and design are leveraged for good.
Ever since I was a little girl, I had dreamed of being a fashion designer. Yet the industry was horribly exploitive and superficial. In my twenties, I set out to find my purpose in the world. In 2006 I traveled to India to research my thesis on how the fair trade model empowers craftswomen in India. There I interviewed scores of women artisans and was captivated by the beauty of block printing. While watching a young woman print a tablecloth, I envisioned it as a beautiful dress. It was the perfect way to combine my passion for design with women’s rights.
impact entrepreneur snapshot.
In 2012 I founded Symbology, an ethical fashion label that merges handcrafted fabrics from developing countries with trend-forward style–aka fair trade made sexy. I bring my background in anthropology to my designs, celebrating the cultural symbolism imbued into each motif as a means to connect people around the world.
My inspiration to start Symbology developed from my research as a Mahatma Gandhi Fellow in college and later as the 2007 Duke Leadership Fellow at Ten Thousand Villages. I have worked with a multitude of artisan communities in India, the West Bank, Mexico and the Philippines. I have a BA in Journalism and Anthropology from the University of North Carolina.
In 2019, I founded Etico, DFW’s first women-owned sustainable collective featuring brands that put people and planet at the forefront. I curate the space to celebrate local makers and global artisans alike, sharing the amazing stories behind each piece with customers. My mission at Etico is to make it an inclusive and welcoming space, which now has a majority of BIPOC-owned brands.
Following My Bliss | my vision for the future
Heritage + modern Design.
Partnering with global artisans and community makers to create beautiful pieces that spark joy.
infusing Wellness + Culture.
Bringing global culture and wellness to create healing and inspiring spaces.
Sparking synergystic Collaboration.
Finding the win-win in all scenarios. Exploring ways we can collaborate together.