Up a winding Cali mountain road, Lake Tahoe glimmers expansively beyond loose-leaf trees, and Melissa Michelsen designs, cuts, prints and sews accessories that are trickle their way into cities, finding people who Love Mert.

Love Mert is the brand Melissa started back in 2000, using recycled materials before sustainability was cool. She uses deadstock fabrics, old leather jackets, and textiles like this purple geometric vision from 1979.