Join us at the Collectible Design Fair from September 5-8 at Water Street Projects WSA, where the Female Design Council (FDC) is proud to present a Special Installation curated by FDC Founder, Lora Appleton, highlighting the FDC Grant program. This mini-exhibition features works by the inaugural FDC Grant recipients, Luam Melake and Mia Wright-Ross.
Luam Melake, Listening Chair, 2024; courtesy of the Artist and R & Company.
Mia Wright-Ross, Waddie(Jeffrey); courtesy of the Artist.
The FDC Grant program is dedicated to providing vital financial support and mentorship to BIPOC female designers, serving as a cornerstone of our mission to advance equity and inclusivity within the design industry. By offering direct financial backing and garnering industry-wide recognition for the winners, the program plays a crucial role in leveling the playing field for a group of historically underrepresented designers. Winners and honorees also receive free membership to the Female Design Council, enabling them to forge meaningful connections with industry leaders that lead to collaborations, career opportunities, new clients, sales, and more. Grantees are carefully selected by a jury of esteemed professionals, with past recipients gaining significant media attention and achieving notable career milestones.
As a lead cultural partner for the first edition of Collectible Design in New York, we're excited to offer FDC members complimentary entry to the fair*. Additionally, FDC founder Lora Appleton is honored to serve on the fair’s Honorary Committee.
Many thanks to Collectible Design for their support of the Female Design Council.
*Ticket registration information and special entry code was sent to member emails on Wednesday, August 7.We invite you to an informal talk and toast with the FDC to celebrate the artists on
Saturday, September 7 at 3:00 PM
OPEN TO ALL TICKET HOLDERS
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Luam Melake, born in 1986 in San Diego, CA, is a New York-based artist whose practice is focused on handwoven sculptures and functional furniture.
She has exhibited her work in notable solo and group exhibitions, including at R & Company in New York and Parker Gallery in Los Angeles. Melake has been an Artist-in-Residence at prominent institutions, including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, Fondation Blachere in Apt, France, and was awarded the Female Design Council Grant in 2021. Melake lives and works in New York and is currently a senior materials researcher at Parsons School of Design and serves on the board of the Museum of Arts and Design.
Interested in learning more about Luam Melake & her work? Please contact: Alessandra Medina Garretti, r@r-and-company.com
Mia Wright-Ross is a pioneer in contemporary leather artistry, with her work focusing on sculptural installations and object design.
Driven by a desire to revive the value of artisanship, Wright-Ross is constantly exploring new iterations of her practice, including large-scale tapestries and sculptures. Wright-Ross is a visionary artist and designer known for her mastery of leather design, and her signature leather cording technique is a hallmark of her luxury lifestyle brand, MWR Collection.
With over 13 years of experience in the footwear and accessories industry, Wright-Ross’ journey includes leadership roles at prestigious fashion houses like Calvin Klein, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Tibi, and Coach. Currently, she imparts her knowledge as an Adjunct Professor of Footwear Design at Parsons School of Design. Her work is a testament to the enduring power of human touch and the limitless possibilities of leather.
Interested in learning more about Mia Wright-Ross & her work? Please contact: Celina Periera for General Inquiries & Tam Fitzgerald for Marketing & Sales Inquiries at atelier@mwrcollection.com