Art + Function: Marla Cielo
Photos: Thomas Mendes. To see more Thomas Mendes images visit http://tommendes.com/
The Artist’s Story
Every artist has a story. Andrea Tobin’s story started in Madrid on the day she formally met “Marla.” Andrea and Marla’s paths had crossed many times previously. But Marla’s influence became strong during Andrea’s stay in Madrid where she found herself inspired by a Warhol exhibit. Andrea then started to paint. Days went by and she never stopped painting. She filled blank canvases with color and stories and energy. Marla’s whisper became louder.
Andrea got back to the real-world grind of New York. Her day job temporarily silenced Marla’s voice. But like any addiction, abstinence only made the cravings intensify. Marla’s influence crept-in again. Andrea painted again. Her walls became covered with art. Canvases came down to make room for more canvases. Marla’s voice had become relentless.
One day, Andrea was walking around 38th and 7th. In a store window, she sees a simple hand-snap press. She buys that press, runs home, takes apart a stretched canvas she painted the night before, and begins to cut. Marla is practically screaming. Andrea puts the snap press to the canvas and all of a sudden, Marla is silent. That is the precise moment that Andrea let Marla in – this insatiable and relentless pursuit of fashion and art coming together through creative and functional perfection. In that moment, the first Marla creation was born.
Photos: Thomas Mendes. To see more Thomas Mendes images visit http://tommendes.com/
Who is Marla?
Everyone has a Marla. She is a voice, a feeling and a passion. For Andrea, Marla helped empower a young urbanite inspired by creativity. Marla is the dreamer and the dream. For Andrea Tobin, Marla Cielo is not simply a bag. Listening to Marla is a way of life. It is also about people sharing their own Marla — and unleashing every dream and story that’s inside. To Andrea, Marla should be a reason people get up in the morning and an inspiration that drives them through their day.
Photos: Thomas Mendes. To see more Thomas Mendes images visit http://tommendes.com/
The Process of Creating a Marla Bag
Every Marla bag’s story is unique, unpredictable and timeless.
1. Limitless Possibility – she’s a blank white canvas, 60 inches tall by 6 yards wide
2. The Idea – every square centimeter of canvas is filled with paint and color and texture and design
3. Durability – she lies patiently to dry and is basted with a durable film to protect her from the elements
4. Leaving Home – she’s rolled up, packed up, and walked over the New York City’s Garment District
5. 29th & 7th – she’s unrolled again, stripped into 4-inch canvas strips and backed with luxurious, soft suede
6. Chop, Chop – she’s cut into ½-inch strips sectioned into warp and weft
7. Ready Or Not – she’s placed on the loom and woven into one, big textile blanket
8. No Looking Back – she’s taped up, marked up, and cut up into pattern pieces
9. Final Touches – she’s sewn together and paired with her favorite gunmetal hardware
10. At last – Marla.
Marla Cielo now available on matuse.com – artisan. CLICK HERE to check them out.
Photos: David Grey
Photo: Dugan
