Margo chats with Rochelle Porter of Rochelle Porter Design. A lifelong lover of global design traditions, the Atlanta-based artist takes cues from the breezy hues of her Caribbean roots, the stark simplicity of Scandinavian design and the bold geometrics of West African weaves to create vibrant, eye-catching textiles for the home décor and apparel markets. Her travel-inspired patterns feature joyful, unexpected bursts of color and classic motifs with a fresh, modern twist. Upon learning of the unethical and environmentally hazardous labor practices of today’s globalized “fast fashion” industry, Rochelle nearly abandoned her dream of becoming a designer. That is, until she figured out that style could also be sustainable. Combining her passion for patterns with her commitment to social responsibility, she formed Rochelle Porter Design (RPD), a lifestyle brand specializing in thoughtfully made, eco-friendly home and fashion accessories.
Margo and Rochelle discuss:
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Rochelle’s unconventional journey to becoming an artist
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Suppression of her creativity before going all in
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Her collaboration with West Elm and how it came to be
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The importance of staying true to her core values as a creative
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Making sustainable fashion fashionable
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Trusting in your inner knowing
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Her exciting upcoming projects and where to find her work!
True to its tagline, “Design for abundant living,” the company believes everyone along the value chain should have the chance to live well—from the farmer who picks the pesticide-free organic cotton for its textiles, to the customer who puts them on her sofa. RPD prioritizes fair pay and sustainable production practices. RPD has recently collaborated with West End and The Happy Planner. Rochelle’s designs have also been featured in Elle DECOR, Essence, BuzzFeed, Popsugar, HGTV, and a host of other media outlets.
Connect with Rochelle:
https://www.instagram.com/roporterdesign/
https://www.facebook.com/roporterdesign
@roporterdesign (Clubhouse)
3 people that are inspiring Rochelle:
Her nephew!
