Montauk Story Designers

A Peace Treaty

Born in 2008, as a personal pact between Farah Malik, a Pakistani Muslim, and Dana Arbib, a Libyan Jew, A PEACE TREATY creates employment for skilled artisans working in places of socio-political strife, effectively supporting their technique and craft while elevating their products to the level of high design for an exclusive and international fashion audience. Inspired by the hand-crafting cultures of the Middle East, Asia, South America and Africa, A PEACE TREATY was conceived when Arbib and Malik met while living in Rome. The two discovered that they shared both a love of high fashion and a desire to increase awareness of ancient, disappearing crafting traditions. Intermingling Arbib’s strong background in graphic, textile and product design with Malik’s history of developing multimedia marketing campaigns for social justice and human rights, they set about connecting discerning fashion connoisseurs with cache, boutique level artifacts from places typically seen only negatively through the media lens.

Each season, A PEACE TREATY travels to a particular region and seeks out local village artisans to re-define an accessory, designing limited edition pieces in style unique colorways. Each jewelry or scarf collection resuscitates ancient handmade textile and metalsmithing techniques that are at risk of extinction. Working with craftspeople in eight countries and injecting life and trade back into local economies, A PEACE TREATY employs artisans with above fair trade wages and invests in creating income generation opportunities for out-of-work artisans, disabled and widowed women.

 

Fleabags

Shira Entis, a fashion designer and lover of all things tiny and over-sized, and Alex Bell, a lawyer and seeker of adventures, have been fleamarket addicts since they met at Brown University. Frustrated by the inconvenience and environmental hazard of accumulating plastic bags while marketing, they craved a convenient and fashion-hot tote that could fit all of their wares. Fleabags are designed as their ideal solution - dapper, large, lightweight and sturdy carry-alls - that are also eco-minded.

Fleabags strives to create products that are as green as possible while maintaining high quality and covetable design. Fleabags are made with organic and vintage materials, vegetable-tanned and re-purposed leathers, and other parts all sourced in the USA. All silkscreens use water-based ink. Fleabags are made in the USA with good old-fashioned sewing. Fleabags are locally made, in Limited Edition, by hand, in small production runs.

 

Orly Genger by Jaclyn Mayer

OGJM (aka Orly Genger by Jaclyn Mayer) began with one necklace at the start of 2009.  Artist Orly Genger was about to open her largest exhibition to date at the Indianapolis Museum of Art when jewelry designer Jaclyn Mayer visited her studio in Long Island City.  Jaclyn decided to make a necklace out of the rope lying around the studio floor.  Orly wore the piece to her opening which led directly to articles on Style.com and Dazed Digital.  When all this happened within the course of a few weeks, both girls realized they had something uniquely their own which could be developed into a successful brand. Since its inception, OGJM has graced the pages of Vogue, ELLE, V, Glamour, Marie Claire, Surface, along with numerous other publications. It’s been featured online at Style.com, Refinery 29, Daily Candy, The Cut, NBC’s The Thread, along with countless other fashion blogs. OGJM has also made the jewelry for the past 5 consecutive VPL runway shows, 2 WHIT shows, and the Spring 2011 runway show for Lela Rose. Most recently OGJM created a collaboration with J.Crew which hits stores in April 2012.

 

Yigal Azrouël

Israeli-born Yigal Azrouël’s namesake label, introduced in 1998, is beloved for its modern silhouettes and fluid, feminine draping. The self-taught designer, who doesn’t subscribe to trends, draws inspiration from art, architecture, culture, nature and the city he now calls home—New York. With the success of his women’s line, including a flagship NYC boutique, Azrouël has gone on to create men’s, accessories and contemporary collections.

 

Valdez

With a purpose of preserving the Ecuadorian culture of the Panama hat, all Valdez accessories are made with a sustainable conscience. By working directly with artisans in Ecuador the brand aims to strengthen the appreciation for products that are handmade and socially responsible.  Established in 2011 by Gabriela Goldbaum, Valdez sources locally manufactured textiles with traditional Ecuadorian patterns, toquilla straw, tagua beads and felt from the Andes.