Who we are currently

All creative ideas are only virtual until becoming tactile realization by a person. With skillful craft, we can tell our stories of our lifetimes in intimate way. Melete studio runs with its own creative rhythm. As we undertook the entire process of creations, we needed to step outside of the existing manufacturing system. The studio creates away from the commercial market calendar, its creation is generated by thoughtfully selected concepts which often starts with single word- such as Enso, Saorsa, liminal and reverie. Producing our own bags from the studio allows to have full control of way to making which is great advantage regarding sustainability. We have lowered carbon footprint significantly by localizing materials sourcing and making all in house. 

Melete ultimately is our continuous quest for being better human, learning to co-exist in nature with respect towards its powerful beauty. We choose to stay on the path to create with care for the environment. Melete’s visual language isn’t chaotic, it’s minimal and poetic, we decide on the lines and forms that speaks to cohesive narrative of the brand. Handmaking enables us to create “one- of-a-kind”, not one piece is the same. We don’t believe a person can draw single line the same ways multiple times. That’s just being human, we are individually unique.

Melete isn’t specifically designed for certain type of person in mind, it’s simply to do with person's spirit perhaps vibe perhaps the sense of belonging.

Brand creator, Ji Lee was born in Seoul Korea educated in NYC with BFA and MFA in studio arts. Worked professionally in fashion for much over a decade as an accessory designer and director. Her move from Asia to North America at a young age, along with exposure to films, visual arts and lots of people encountered along the way provided founding inspiration to become the designer she is today. Melete studio is currently based in Philadelphia, PA.

© MELETE 2023