About
The beauty in chaos.
The beauty in what remains.
My work is rooted in a simple belief: the things we wear should move with us, soften over time, and honor the materials they're made from.
Afro-Colombian designer.
Houston-based.
I'm Julissa Arboleda, an Afro-Colombian designer creating minimalist, sensual clothing from natural fibers. I studied fashion design at the Art Institute of San Francisco and showed my thesis collection, Suffocation, at New York Fashion Week in 2016.
That collection explored depression and anxiety through the lens of institutional care. It taught me that authenticity is the only edit that matters.
After working at Louis Vuitton and launching my first collection in 2017, I paused during COVID. In December 2024, I relaunched with a clearer vision: small-batch production, natural fibers, and clothing designed to age beautifully.
Wabi-sabi philosophy.
Wabi-sabi is the Japanese concept of finding beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness.
In my work, this means designing clothing that embraces wrinkles, values natural texture, and improves with wear. Linen that softens. Hemp that drapes. Cotton that breathes.
I don't fight against the way natural fibers behave—I design with it.
Made in Houston.
In small batches.
Every piece is produced in Houston with a local seamstress. We make 10–50 units per style.
Small-batch production means I can maintain quality control, pay fair wages, and avoid the waste that comes with mass manufacturing.
What guides this work.
Natural Fibers
Hemp, organic cotton, linen. Breathable fabrics that age beautifully and feel good against skin.
Fair Production
Local seamstresses paid fair wages. No exploitative labor. No shortcuts. Quality takes time, and time deserves respect.
Intentional Design
Every piece is designed to last years, not seasons.