Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Celeste Malvar-Stewart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Celeste , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I’ve been blessed with having done many meaningful projects in my career. However, one of the most meaningful projects I worked on was shortly after having moved to Columbus, OH from NYC. It began at the Columbus airport when I was traveling back from my hometown of San Francisco (already feeling homesick), and I felt so profoundly unfamiliar with my new city. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what Columbus sounded like, and I couldn’t! I thought, “if I knew what the city sounded like, perhaps it would feel more like home, and if it feels more like home, then I can contribute to the local community?” So, I began asking locals what Columbus sounded like to them, and as a result, I ended up collaborating with a local musician – Benji Robinson – where we recorded different parts of the city’s sounds which he incorporated into 8 of his songs, while I created 8 couture pieces corresponding to his songs. We then collaborated with another friend Dan Linden, who burned those sound waves onto my pieces, fusing music, technology, and fashion. The collaborative project was called “Local Sound” and thankfully, it did indeed help me to feel more connected to my new home as well as to new friends, and subsequently feeling part of the community!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a fashion and fibre artist as well as an educator, teaching classes as adjunct faculty in tailoring and sustainability at the Columbus College of Art and Design in Ohio. I began my career immediately after I graduated from uni in London in the late 80’s with a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Fashion, when I realized that I wanted to change the way I created clothing after having seen the waste that resulted from establishing my own fashion brand, currently MALVAR = STEWART.
I have since maintained my role as an independent artist and brand focusing on sustainability in luxury fashion.
I’m best known for my ethereal couture pieces and accessories that I create using wool and alpaca fibre that I obtain from Ohio family farms, working closely with the shepherdesses and their animals. I believe in the connection created when we know where our clothes come from, and I believe that the good energy in even every fibre from happy animals can be infused into every piece creating this connection.
Because I know the animals whose fibres I use by name and personality, I create a direct link between the people who wear my clothes and the farmers, land, and animals that have contributed to them. This connection in-turn asks us to care about one another, and is innately sustainable. Every piece I create under my brand is meaningful to me, and they are meant to be herilooms…because how could you ever throw away a dress made using RaeRae the alpaca’s fibres?! And I take pride in the fact that so long as my brand exists, I will always offer mending services and/or finding new homes for any my pieces looking for them.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is my primary creative drive in everything I create! I believe that we must all consider how we effect our environment, society, and our economy and that connection is key to sustainability. I’m driven by the idea that creating mindfully can actually make an impact in an industry that is historically harmful, and my journey is wholeheartedly focused on making a positive impact in fashion and sharing my effort towards sustainability, preservation, and education with future generations.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I find that the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to serve within my freedom to create, according to my values and beliefs. One way in which I serve the fashion community is by sharing my knowledge with the next generation of designers and artists via classes. workshops, and talks. Another way is by supporting fibre producers and caretakers of vulnerable sheep breeds and beautiful alpacas; and every time I share, I feel grateful and fulfilled!

Contact Info:

• Website: malvarstewart.com
• Instagram: malvarstewart
• Facebook: Celeste Malvar-Stewart and MALVAR = STEWART
• Linkedin: Celeste Malvar-Stewart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_cD9UD5UZo
• Other: airoshowroom.com artmakescolumbus.com https://www.columbusmakesart.com/stories/celeste-malvar-stewart

Image Credits
Priscilla Dwomoh Shiann Banks Seth Moses Miller Staley Designs and Patrick Hovan