Today we’d like to introduce you to merijam roelofs.
Hi Merijam, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I initiated a folk project approximately 12 years ago during my time in Mexico. My passion for vintage and handmade textiles grew, particularly during my studies in fashion at the Atelier Chardon Savard in Paris. Residing in Mexico provided me with numerous chances to explore various regions of the country, including Guatemala. I was truly captivated by the incredible talent, abundance of art, diverse varieties, and vibrant colors I encountered. The remarkable talent, rich artistic abundance, diverse varieties, and vibrant colors in textiles and other art forms I encountered there truly captivated me.
In Chiapas and Guatemala, there is a tradition of repurposing vintage Huipiles, the traditional garments worn by Mayan women, in various creative ways. I believed that incorporating these textiles into furniture pieces was a way of giving them a new life and paying homage to their inherent beauty.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting numerous remarkable artisans, or one might say, artists. Together, we have crafted numerous small-batch capsule collections, spanning rugs, ornaments, clothing, and more. Since 2023, I have shifted back my focus to what brings me the utmost joy—furniture. Collaborating with my carpenter, we have developed new frames and experimented with fresh combinations, incorporating not only Huipiles but also custom pieces embroidered by artisans from Oaxaca and Chiapas.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Navigating a small business is always a challenging journey. You’re responsible for every aspect of the business, requiring a continuous reassessment of tasks and determining the next steps. Crafting one-of-a-kind handmade pieces goes against the prevailing global trend of perpetual growth. And collaborating with fellow humans, whether here or in Central America, who juggle lives, kids, and struggles like we all do, serves as a reminder to practice patience, flexibility, and tolerance. The Folk Project is undeniably a labor of love and passion. Its main struggles revolve around navigating the incessant marketing strategies imposed on businesses for success and the almost complete dependence on social media platforms.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Having studied Fashion and Anthropology in France and lived in Brazil, Mexico, and the US, I’ve always held a profound appreciation for the material culture crafted by humans—their inclination to embellish ordinary objects and the perfection achieved by some artisans and artists. My creative process doesn’t involve conceptualization; instead, I assemble collected fabrics to create new pieces, breathing new life into the worn and weaving fresh narratives. Drawing from my experience as a florist, I relish playing with colors and textures, combining them in unique ways. The Folk Project embodies all of these elements, showcasing beauty crafted with intention and meaning.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I generate a thousand ideas per minute, and, of course, many of them turn out to be either unfeasible or not quite right… hahah. I suppose I play the roles of both an idea generator and an idea eliminator simultaneously.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.folk-project.com
- Instagram: folkproject
- Facebook: folk project
Image Credits
Nicole Sweet
Julissa Arangure Garcia
