Name:  

Melissa Baswell

Hometown:  

Chicago, IL (After 12 years of living coast to coast, I ended up back in sweet home Chicago two and a half years ago.  And I am certain that my reason for this decision will become clear to me again once the dirty snow finally melts and spring arrives.)

What is your occupation?  

Sustainable Fashion Designer.  (On the side, I also work as a freelance designer and stylist for bands and events in the music industry).

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?  

A dress that I designed and created from recycled candy wrappers was exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago last fall.

What academic accomplishment are you most proud of?  

Somehow I graduated in the top 10% of my class from the University of Wisconsin-Madison despite my habit of going out and staying out very late almost every night of my senior year.

What personal accomplishment are you most proud of?  

I lived and volunteered at the Tibetan Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington, Indiana for three years, and was able to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama because of this.  It was my dream come true.  I will continue to work for Tibetan rights for the rest of my life if necessary.

What is your favorite word?  

Moon.  It was my first word as a baby and has continued to find ways to play a major role in my life ever since.  (My clothing label is called Mountains of the Moon, and every year for Christmas, my mom buys me something with a moon on it).

What is your least favorite word?  

Metronidazole.  It’s an antibiotic that, despite my objections, was administered to my dog at a very high dosage by an incompetent vet and almost killed him.  Long story, but Leary the wonder dog is okay, and several thousands of dollars in emergency care later, I will never again allow that medication to come in contact with anyone I love.

What would you choose as your “last meal”?

 Tibetan Chura momos, yellow curry w/tofu, orange Fanta (the kind they have in Belgium that tastes like sparkling orange juice), and Crème Brulee with raspberries.  Oh, and a stiff Patron Margarita, with salt.

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?  

I love candy.  I can down an entire bag of sour patch kids in one sitting.  If there is candy in the house, I often have to ask my boyfriend to hide it from me.

Describe your favorite pair of shoes.  

I would say it’s a tie between my Earth Shoe boots I’ve had for years (they have this very boho-looking floral embroidery up the sides and are incredibly comfortable) tied with my metallic buckeled flats that I wear way too often.  I absolutely love heels (especially booties lately) but even as a fashion designer, comfort comes first.

When do you feel happiest?

When I am home relaxing with my boyfriend Robbie and my 13 year-old black lab/chow mix Leary.

Name one book that changed your perception of the world.  

A Simple Path by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.  Read it.

If they made a movie of your life, which actor/actress would play you?  

I am slightly obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, so if she was still living, I’d choose her for certain.

What are five things you’d like to do before you die?  

Travel to Tibet

become a mother

grow my own garden (I didn’t exactly inheret my mother’s

green thumb)

convince my little sister Morgan to move back to Chicago,

buy land in Costa Rica or somewhere else beautiful and warm and live as simply as possible (something I haven’t ever figured out how to do).

The world would be a better place if…

…people stopped worrying so much about other people’s religions, sexual preferences, and lives in general, and each individual instead focused more on making him or herself a better person.

What is your opinion of Oprah?  

I admire her drive, generousity and intelligence.  I also think that she really, really needs to feature some Mountains of the Moon clothing on her show, ya know, just in case anyone reading this has any Oprah connections.

Do you dance?  

Constantly.  My boyfriend works for a band, so I’m sort of obligated.  I also studied ballet and modern dance on and off for 17 years and always found myself to be slightly awkward in my abilities (but I didn’t care).  Dancing is the best release in existence.

What is one product that you think lives up to its claims?  

Hemp fabric.  I use many different types of sustainable fabrics in my designs, but hemp is truly the ultimate eco-friendly fiber.  And despite the stereotypes, it can be used to make some of the most high fashion pieces of clothing you’ll ever see.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?  

Costa Rica is by the far the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.  If I had to pick a more urban place, I’d say it’s a tie between Paris and Amsterdam.

What is the most interesting thing about you?  

As I young child, I was helplessly, painfully shy.  In first grade, I sat by myself in a corner at recess every single day until my teacher finally forced me to choose someone to play with (I ended up chosing my friend Erin, who went on to be my college roomate and still continues to be one of closest friends).  This is interesting because “shy” is no longer a word that anyone could possibly use to describe me.

Do you ski?

No, unless you count the one time I’ve been cross country skiing.  When I lived in Colorado, I tried snowboarding a couple of times, but it didn’t work out so well.  I’m a summer girl.  Give me some sunshine and flowers and I’m happy.

Describe yourself in five words.

Driven, creative, passionate, fun, self-critical