Up-cycled, reclaimed children’s clothing label Salvage Maria will make its Pop-In@Nordstrom nationwide debut this Friday, September 12. The month-long event is part of an ongoing series of themed pop-up shops curated by Olivia Kim, Nordstrom’s Director of Creative Projects, showcasing an eclectic mix of rising stars in the design world. Salvage Maria, a “tragically hip” collection that launched earlier this year in Los Angeles, uses a mix of salvaged and new fabrics to create ready-to-wear looks for style-savvy kids. Available at select Nordstrom locations nationwide and online, the eco-friendly-themed Pop-In will feature their distinctive handmade fringe vegan leather jackets, hand-distressed jean jackets, fringed vests, and reworked vintage tees.
Proudly made in Los Angeles, Salvage Maria’s mission is to breathe new life into old favorites. A few years ago, designer Janeesa Joseph was inspired by a friend who made her sons’ play pants out of her husband’s old t-shirts and decided to try her hand at up cycling her own creations. She quickly received custom orders and a warm reception for her reclaimed, handmade styles. Busy after the birth of her son, Janeesa put Salvage Maria on the backburner, hoping to revisit her passion project when her son started preschool. The tragic death of Janeesa’s younger brother on Christmas Eve was the catalyst for reviving Salvage Maria as a way to honor her brother’s memory.
“My mother Maria had packed some of his clothes to be donated,” said Janeesa, a native of Dallas, Texas, with Mexican heritage. “Fortunately, I was able to save some t-shirts and other pieces. With what we had, we designed tees, pants, cardigans, and pajamas for my little guy. We also set aside some of his other items for my sisters whenever they have children. It was bittersweet, intimate, and such a special process. It truly encompassed on a personal level the power of ‘Salvage Maria.’”
Every Salvage Maria piece is proudly made in Los Angeles from salvaged, upcycled, reclaimed, and new fabrics carefully chosen by Janeesa and Maria, who occasionally travels to Mexico to source unique fabrics. Salvage Maria works closely with local vendors to ensure keepsake-quality designs and they also take custom orders, reinventing customers’ personal pieces for their little ones.
Just a few short months after their February 2014 launch, Salvage Maria was handpicked by Olivia Kim via Instagram to sell their one-of-a-kind creations at 8 flagship Nordstrom locations, including Seattle, San Francisco, and Dallas, and online at nordstrom.com from September 12 to October 12. Salvage Maria will be offering special giveaways at all 8 locations as well.
To learn more about Salvage Maria and the Pop-In@Nordstrom, visit http://salvagemaria.clothing and www.nordstrom.com/pop.