Ellen Abraham founded Architect Pins as a design-focused brand for the architecture community, using wearable pins to give diverse identities and lived experiences a visible voice. The company’s studio creates custom enamel-molded pins for organizations and individuals, while its shop centers on representation within design.
The Sun*Kissed Designs By ~Chantél Francina~Since 2011, The Sun*Kissed Designs By ~Chantél Francina~ has built a distinctive design and lifestyle brand around the founder’s vision of expressive, coastal-inspired style. The Baltimore-based company hand makes clothing and accessories for clients around the world, with custom-fit service that lets customers order designs to their own measurements. Its work is shaped by the desert, the coast, and nature, giving the brand a recognizable “Sexy. Global. Chic.” character.BALTIMORE, MD
Helena DeneenBorn from a traveler’s improvised use of a bracelet at baggage claim, Helena Deneen makes Persona, a tie-on identifier designed to give luggage and other bags a distinctive identity. Its circular, streamlined design combines a leather-grain vinyl construction with personalization options, bringing a more expressive alternative to the standard luggage tag. The company also offers private labeling and fundraising programs for organizations.LANHAM, MD
Kesso's DesignsKesso’s Designs creates handcrafted jewelry inspired by Native American and African artistic traditions, with each piece made as an individual work of art. Founded around the maker’s vision, the store also welcomes custom designs alongside its seasonal collections.YORKVILLE STATION, NY
SohnBrooklyn-based Sohn turns fashion-trained design into tactile home objects and accessories, including sculptural pillows shaped like hands and feet. Designed by John Sohn, a Cornell-trained fiber and apparel designer whose background includes The Row and Rosetta Getty, the studio treats its pieces as heirlooms meant to be lived with and passed on. Sohn’s name reflects that idea: the Korean word 손 means both “hand” and “craftsmanship,” while its Soft Contact Pillow earned third prize in the fantasy category of the 2020 Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition.BROOKLYN, NY