Los Angeles, California Jun 13, 2024 (Issuewire.com) - In a heartwarming collaboration that combines creativity, craftsmanship, and a passion for social impact, Michelle Elder of Aunt Funky's Closet and The Kut Studios has joined forces with the Baby Yams brand. Tatyana Ali, a celebrated American actress best known for her role as Ashley Banks on the beloved sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, has expanded her talents into the world of design with her brand, Baby Yams, a series of handmade, heirloom-quality baby quilts crafted from vibrant Ankara fabrics.
Ali, a five-time NAACP Image Award winner, singer, writer, producer, activist, and Harvard graduate, beams with pride as she talks about her inspiration for creating the quilt line. She discovered her love for sewing while pregnant, filling her nursery with handmade items. "Each baby quilt is hand-sewn and unique. We make our quilts in small batches to ensure quality and care," Tatyana shares. The Abundance Series 2 features bright and airy summer hues, reflecting the warmth and joy of new beginnings.
Michelle Elder, a highly accomplished seamstress, fashion designer, costumer, and custom tailor, brings her extensive experience to this collaboration. Her impressive portfolio spans movie sets, red carpets, and top magazines, earning her recognition as one of the industry's leading talents. Michelle's Downtown LA studio is a treasure trove of fashion artistry, where she creates stunning shoulder pieces, costumes, and other clothing items. She also opens her studio to aspiring seamstresses and fashion enthusiasts, offering classes and sharing her expertise through her social media channels.
Michelle and Tatyana first crossed paths through mutual connections in the fashion and entertainment industry. Impressed by Michelle's reputation and the exceptional results of her previous work, Tatyana saw an opportunity to bring her vision for Baby Yams to life with Michelle's expertise. This partnership allows Tatyana to meet the demand for her quilts to be sold everywhere without compromising on quality, ensuring that each quilt is crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail.
The alliance between the two stars is a testament to their shared dedication to quality, care, and community. Tatyana visits The Kut Studios in person often to manage the process and pour love into each batch of quilts, ensuring that every piece reflects their commitment to excellence and social impact.
This collaboration is not just about beautiful quilts; it carries a profound mission. "We deserve loving, comprehensive reproductive and maternal health care," Tatyana asserts. Her journey to creating Baby Yams began after the life-threatening delivery of her first baby boy. Seeking answers, she found solace and support in the reproductive justice movement and the Black midwife who guided her through her second pregnancy. For the past four years, Tatyana has been an advocate for reproductive justice, and Baby Yams is her way of giving back. Proceeds from each quilt go to Black and Indigenous birthworkers uniquely positioned to provide the essential care needed by families.
Tatyana's personal experience and advocacy shine through in her Instagram post: "During both of my pregnancies, I did a lot of sewing and made most of the items in our nursery. I’m glad I shared my story about what happened during my first birth because it helped me find the Reproductive Justice Community and my midwife. While expecting my youngest son, I made him a quilt with Ankara Fabric and got so many compliments on it that I thought others would like it as well. I found answers. I found power. And, I want to share this feeling with other parents. All proceeds from these limited edition, heirloom-quality baby quilts will be given to the birth workers uniquely positioned to give our families the care we need."
The production of these exquisite quilts involves a team of dedicated artisans:
- Designer: Tatyana Ali
- Fabrics: (Tatyana’s) Auntie Esther in Ghana
- Sewing: Michelle Elder at Aunt Funky's Closet and The Kut Studios in Los Angeles, CA
- Quilting: Cassandra Thomas of Designers Touch in Houston, TX
Join the #BabyYamsFam and support this meaningful movement by visiting BabyYams.com. Together, we can provide the care our families deserve and celebrate the artistry of these remarkable women.
Photos Courtesy of Tatyana Ali on Instagram (@tatyanaali)
About Michelle Elder and The Kut Studios
Michelle Elder (aka Aunt Funky) is a highly accomplished seamstress, fashion designer, costumer, and custom tailor whose exceptional skill set, diverse design concepts, and keen eye for fashion trends have earned her recognition as one of the industry's leading talents. Her artistic fashion style has been showcased in prestigious magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Elle, Elle Arabia, Maxim, Vogue Italia, and many more. Michelle's clientele includes A-list celebrities such as Jenna Ortega, Erykah Badu, Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Gwen Stefani, Jason Derulo, Omar Epps, and Paris Hilton among others. (Instagram: @auntfunkyscloset, @thekutstudios)
Visit Aunt Funky's Closet to rent or buy stunning fashion art for your next jaw-dropping appearance. Learn how to sew and design from a seasoned seamstress and costume designer for top fashion houses, film, and TV at The Kut Studios (TheKutStudios.com) Visit the studio at 222 E 11th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 or call (310) 403-6327.
Media Contact
IMURJ Public Relations, Inc. mediadesk@imurjpr.co 213-267-1171 11400 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90064 http://www.imurjpr.co
