Meet Michelle Townson | Mother, grandmother & sustainable fashion designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Townson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
DEFINITELY the most important factor for our success is giving new life to plastic.. Designing modern unique bags that have elevated the quality of our artisans in Guatemala. Using recycled plastic thread has shown the world the importance of fashion with purpose and choosing products with a social impact not only in our community but in our planet.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am an Ocean lover. After learning how my second passion FASHION is contaminating our Oceans I decided to take action. Guatemala is a country blessed with natural artistic talented artisans all over the place. I have loved bags since I can remember. I bought my first Gucci at age 13 with my allowance of $235 my father thought I was totally crazy.. I found this traditional product that needed a new look. The traditional plastic market bag that has been around since 1942 , so I decided to start designing more extravagant designs. They cut the eye of a swimwear designer in Costa Rica . She contacted me and invited me to be a part of her runway in 2018 Costa Rica fashion week and my bags were selected as the most innovative product of that fashion week. This opened a lot of doors in Costa Rica and from there I just knocked on doors literally! Bags on my hand and going door to door.
Today we are present in 9 countries spreading the message of “Choose products with purpose” and “Recycled handmade sustainable “Fashion.. The challenges?? What would be life without those? Life has taught me that from every challenge there is an opportunity you just have to STOP analyze the situation carefully (don’t panic) and suddenly it came to me.
Plastic is easy to clean with any disinfectant or water. It’s odor free, it’s bacteria free and it’s strong, perfect for this pandemic. I did a simple video cleaning one bag with Lysol and here I am getting ready to participate. Espacio VOGUE Miami next Sept. 30 and being a part of Guatemala’s Pavillon in DUBAI world’s Fair starting Oct 1.
Definitely amazed but with hopes to keep growing and really creating an impact and a community of responsible fashion consumers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend would be visiting Guatemala first I would drive her to the main plaza in Guatemala City were we have the most amazing Palacio Nacional our Cathedral and fountain this way she will understand we’re Guatemala started from there I would take her to the modern part of our city and we would get a drink a Beer michelada at any pub from there we would drive to Antigua Guatemala a magical old UNESCO protected city where she would get to the all the colonial ruins that have survived earthquakes, hurricanes and many other natural disasters then will go the see the most beautiful lake in the world LAKE ATITLAN sour rounded by 12 little towns each one with their own ancestral traditions and unique techniques I would love to show her their natural dying from plants, vegetables, fruits and trees. It’s truly an extraordinary experience
This little towns are the best options to experience our cuisine. I am not a big food fan but everything is very tasty and full of unique flavors. We would go back to the city and fly to TIKAL, the ancient MAYAN city in the middle of the jungle. Huge ruins and amazing stories describe the complete civilization. Those are for me the most important places to visit since they describe the root of Guatemala.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My beautiful artisan family The ZAMORAS in San Pedro, Las Huertas, Antigua, Guatemala. They are a humble family that started their basket weaving business after their father got into an accident and he wasn’t able to find a job. His wife decided to learn how to weave and she came back to teach her husband and today they have their small shop giving job opportunities to widows, recovering addicts, single mothers and even handicapped teens. Their strength and humbleness have been my inspiration.

Instagram: @laroja.misha

Linkedin: Michelle Townson

Facebook: La Roja .misha

Youtube: La Roja by Misha

Other: Pinterest La Roja.Misha

Image Credits
Miami on sight community at design district fashion show 2019 Photographer Javier Asturias Guatemala Taller Guadalupana Artisan Team