Marcia Patmos, of M.PATMOS, honed her craft at the Rhode Island School of Design, but she has always had design in her blood. As a child, Marcia learned how to make or repurpose just about anything from her grandmother, who spent most of her time sewing, knitting and crocheting.

After working in the New York fashion industry for several years, Marcia and her friend Tina Lutz came together to start LUTZ & PATMOS, a timeless luxury collection of sweaters, separates and accessories that merged fashion with art and design. After 10 successful years in business, Tina and Marcia's final season was the Fall 2010 line.

For the new M.PATMOS collection, Marcia continues to be inspired by art, architecture and design. She collects travel mementos, artwork and flea market finds. Industrial processes and the combining of new technology with traditional craft continue to intrigue her. Knowing how things are made is fundamental to good design. She always carries her camera to capture ideas, which she finds everywhere. Anything can inspire a color palette, a new seam shape or a construction technique.

Marcia's goal is to make easy, modern, understated, beautifully crafted clothing that feel as comfortable as wearing jeans and a t-shirt and become wardrobe essentials. Into these pieces she incorporates strength, ease and grace, and also uses thoughtful production techniques that are socially conscious and eco-friendly, when possible. By mixing modern manufactured items with handmade ones, Marcia has continued to strengthen her involvement and participation with artisan communities all around the world. She has realized that incorporating her love for and interest in their craftsmanship and techniques brings a singular, unique and personal style to her collections. To Marcia, "there is something very special about an item touched by a human hand." By working with artisan communities, multiple families and even whole villages can be supported.

In appreciation of these principles, Marcia Patmos was named winner of the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation in 2011. Past winners include bold names such as Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, Joseph Altuzarra, Prabal Gurung and Proenza Schouler. Marcia was also awarded the 2011 Lexus Eco-Challenge award for her environmental friendly design practices. In 2012, M.Patmos was named one of the world's 50 most innovative companies by fast company in its fashion division, alongside ralph lauren, ppr, uniqlo, kenzo by humberto leon and carol lim, and levi's.

For M.PATMOS, Marcia uses her touch to create beautiful, relevant clothing that is both special and comfortable. For her, change starts with very small things, and the importance of design is to open minds to new things, making for endless possibilities.

 

There is something very special about an item touched by a human hand. Working with artisan communities can help to support multiple families-and even whole villages.
—MARCIA PATMOS