The Nipomo brand is RANGE’s dream come true—sustainably produced and female-owned, they engage with skilled artisans to create blankets, handcrafted leather straps, visors and sandals in tribute to the color and craft of Mexico. Launched in San Diego by mother-daughter team Elizabeth and Liz Clark, Nipomo was founded through the inspiration Liz gained from watching her mother work with artisans to import pottery and mirrors from her native country.
Through their brand, Liz is able to share the south of the border color and culture she loves, which she feels is sometimes misrepresented or unappreciated in the United States. Partnering with skilled weavers in central Mexico, Elizabeth and Liz are able to observe the entire production process and watch as they spin each beautiful colorway from a recycled blend of poly cotton and acrylic.
Explaining the discovery of the brand’s sustainable roots, Liz told us, “When we visited the yarn supplier, we kept seeing a lot of color variation throughout a dye lot and found out the yarns were being made from clothing production remnants. In a world where things are constantly being produced, we feel strongly about creating pieces that are helping communities take waste out of the cycle.”
As Nipomo expands and curates new goods to add to their stocklist, they’re excited to create a more expansive line for beach and park life. “The main thing we’ve learned is that it’s always good to see what the makers can do and then slowly introduce your ideas. Creating a partnership takes time, and understanding their process helps all of us build a product we’re happy with.”
This article was originally published in RANGE Magazine Issue Seven.
Images by Liz Clark, courtesy of Nipomo.
xx Alex