In an inspiring collaboration that fuses creativity, craftsmanship, and a commitment to social impact, Michelle Elder of Aunt Funky's Closet and The Kut Studios has partnered with the Baby Yams brand. Tatyana Ali, the acclaimed American actress renowned for her role as Ashley Banks on the beloved sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has expanded her talents into design with Baby Yams. This brand features handmade, heirloom-quality baby quilts crafted from vibrant Ankara fabrics.
(Matt Licari, AP.)
A five-time NAACP Image Award winner, singer, writer, producer, activist, and Harvard graduate, Ali radiates pride as she speaks about the influence behind her quilt line. During her pregnancy, she discovered a passion for sewing, and filled her nursery with handmade items. "Each baby quilt is hand-sewn and unique. We create our quilts in small batches to ensure quality and care," Tatyana explains. The Abundance Series 2 features bright and airy summer hues, reflecting the warmth and joy of new beginnings.
The meaning behind this collaboration is deeper than beautiful quilts; it carries a profound mission. "We deserve loving, comprehensive reproductive and maternal health care," Tatyana expresses. The Baby Yams journey 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 birth workers uniquely positioned to provide the essential care needed by families.
Tatyana's pure love for advocacy shines through in a vulnerable social media post via Instagram.
"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 and 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."
Tatyana beams with passion as she elaborates on maternal health advocacy in an interview with Scripps News. See the full video below:
The Baby Yams brand features a lineup 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
Michelle Elder, an esteemed 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.
(@tatyanaali, Instagram.)
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.
The partnership between Tatyana Ali and Michelle Elder is evidence of their shared dedication to quality, care, and community. Tatyana frequently visits the DTLA studio to oversee the process and submerge each batch of quilts, ensuring that every piece reflects their commitment to social impact and excellence.
Join the #BabyYamsFam and support this purposeful movement by visiting https://babyyams.com/. Together, we can ensure our mothers and families deserve and celebrate the artistry of these phenomenal women.
#babyyams #maternaladvocacy #blackmotherhood #handmade #michelleelder #thekutstudios #reproductivejustice #heirlooms #seamstress #houston #losangeles #dtla #babyyamsfam
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