<p><img src='http://static1.shopify.com/s/files/1/0017/1862/files/LOVEMERT_LOGO2.jpg' alt='' /></p> <pre><code><strong>Eco-fabulous accessories made with vintage,recycled, surplus and sustainable materials.</strong></code></pre> <p>The Mission of Love Mert. is to create accessories that stand apart from the crowd while putting an emphasis on environmental and social responsibility. We hope to instill a sense of awareness while creating eco-fabulous accessories. These one-of-a-kind and limited run accessories are a collage of recycled, reclaimed, vintage and natural fibers and materials. All sourcing, design and manufacturing are done with the intention of being as sustainable as possible.</p> <p><strong>About the Designer</strong></p> <p>Melissa Michelsen, the owner and designer of Love Mert., has been creating all of her life. Growing up in a family of artists led to an inevitable life of dabbling in many mediums. Her childhood was filled with drawing, painting, building fortresses in the forest, spending time in her father’s woodworking studio and of course, sewing, which she began at eight years old.</p> <p>“I have always been conscious of our impact on this earth. Nature has been a large part of my life.” Growing up in the green mountains of Vermont, residing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California for many years and now settled in Bend, Or, she wanted to create a company that fulfilled all of her interests. Creating fashionable, colorful and quirky accessories with the idea of “re-use” and conscious materials, such as hemp and organic cotton new this season, is her way of treading lightly.</p> <p>Love Mert. began in 2002 when Melissa needed a present for her best friend’s birthday. She loved the bag Melissa had made for her and people began to ask where they could get one. Melissa made a handful more and sold them to her acquaintances over coffee one morning. This led to more and more requests and soon she approached some local boutiques. Currently, Love Mert. accessories are stocked in boutiques nationwide, Canada and Japan. The many different styles have evolved over the past years but one thing remains a constant thread, the focus on sustainability. Creating a line of eco-fashion is a perfect balance to have a creative career and honor our environment. It is extremely exciting to be part of the long awaited “green” movement in the fashion industry.</p> <p><strong>Who is Mert?</strong></p> <p>Many people ask “who is Mert?” While trying to come up with an interesting name for her company, Melissa remembered her grandmother always telling her that she was just like Mert. Mert Hunt was her great-great grandmother whom she never met. Mert was a dressmaker in the early 1900’s in New York City. Once deciding on the company name Love Mert., Melissa learned more about this woman. Mert was truly a woman before her time. She became a single mother after leaving her husband who was a bit shy of a gentleman. In order to make a living she started a dressmaking business in <span class="caps">NYC</span>. She was very successful creating beautiful clothing for the socialites. After some years she remarried and traveled throughout the west and into Mexico. The adventurous and strong spirit of Mert Hunt is ever present in our company.</p> 2008-08-05T22:32:08-07:00 about-us 373922 2008-08-05T22:32:08-07:00 171862 2008-11-19T18:27:45-08:00 <img src='http://static1.shopify.com/s/files/1/0017/1862/files/LOVEMERT_LOGO2.jpg' alt='' /> *Eco-fabulous accessories made with vintage,recycled, surplus and sustainable materials.* The Mission of Love Mert. is to create accessories that stand apart from the crowd while putting an emphasis on environmental and social responsibility. We hope to instill a sense of awareness while creating eco-fabulous accessories. These one-of-a-kind and limited run accessories are a collage of recycled, reclaimed, vintage and natural fibers and materials. All sourcing, design and manufacturing are done with the intention of being as sustainable as possible. *About the Designer* Melissa Michelsen, the owner and designer of Love Mert., has been creating all of her life. Growing up in a family of artists led to an inevitable life of dabbling in many mediums. Her childhood was filled with drawing, painting, building fortresses in the forest, spending time in her father’s woodworking studio and of course, sewing, which she began at eight years old. “I have always been conscious of our impact on this earth. Nature has been a large part of my life.” Growing up in the green mountains of Vermont, residing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California for many years and now settled in Bend, Or, she wanted to create a company that fulfilled all of her interests. Creating fashionable, colorful and quirky accessories with the idea of “re-use” and conscious materials, such as hemp and organic cotton new this season, is her way of treading lightly. Love Mert. began in 2002 when Melissa needed a present for her best friend’s birthday. She loved the bag Melissa had made for her and people began to ask where they could get one. Melissa made a handful more and sold them to her acquaintances over coffee one morning. This led to more and more requests and soon she approached some local boutiques. Currently, Love Mert. accessories are stocked in boutiques nationwide, Canada and Japan. The many different styles have evolved over the past years but one thing remains a constant thread, the focus on sustainability. Creating a line of eco-fashion is a perfect balance to have a creative career and honor our environment. It is extremely exciting to be part of the long awaited “green” movement in the fashion industry. *Who is Mert?* Many people ask “who is Mert?” While trying to come up with an interesting name for her company, Melissa remembered her grandmother always telling her that she was just like Mert. Mert Hunt was her great-great grandmother whom she never met. Mert was a dressmaker in the early 1900’s in New York City. Once deciding on the company name Love Mert., Melissa learned more about this woman. Mert was truly a woman before her time. She became a single mother after leaving her husband who was a bit shy of a gentleman. In order to make a living she started a dressmaking business in NYC. She was very successful creating beautiful clothing for the socialites. After some years she remarried and traveled throughout the west and into Mexico. The adventurous and strong spirit of Mert Hunt is ever present in our company.