Mariah, originally from Minnesota, first stumbled upon TOP last summer while she was searching for a way to combine her interests into meaningful work.
She is currently a business school student studying Entrepreneurship & Marketing in Washington State, and spends most of her free time in the studio fostering her passions for photography and fibers. She is not limited to a formula or one way of completing a task, but rather equipped with a problem solving skillset that thrives in creative environments seeking a solution from all angles. She is hoping that her experience being a freelance photographer, a marketing strategist with a startup and as a project manager on a biodynamic farm will serve her well for the projects she will be working on with TOP.
Using just a makeshift cardboard loom, Mariah taught herself how to weave simple wall hangings. She claims that even basic weaves are tedious and require a keen attention to detail. She can only imagine the amount of time and effort it takes for the artisans to create their beautifully crafted textiles. Needless to say, being able to travel to the communities and experience a glimpse of the textile process from start to finish is a dream come true.
First time traveling to South America, Mariah is captivated by the rich culture Cusco has to offer. Between the cobblestone streets, ancient Inca built walls, and traditional dress she feels that the city itself is a door to the living past. She is ready to check some things off the bucket list as she hopes to explore the Sacred Valley, and try some delicious Peruvian dishes.
With her passion for photography, she hopes to capture the essence of TOP and the story behind each textile. “In truth, I cannot think of a better place for me to share my belief in the social responsibility for empowering indigenous communities, my skill as a perceptive content curator and my love of textiles and weaving. I am thrilled to be working with a company like TOP who fosters opportunities by consciously connecting cultures while stressing the importance of preserving a traditional lifestyle for the artisans.”