Photograph by Whitney Ott
Vena Kim’s accessories line, Maridadi Trading, is a product of her far-flung travels. She bounced around Asia as a child. For college, she chose the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, then lived in London; Muscat, Oman; and Cairo—launching-off points for journeys in the Middle East and Africa. Along the way, she made friends, visited mills, collected trinkets and fabrics, and became enamored with traditional craftsmanship. Back in Atlanta since 2008, Kim has been making home and fashion goods inspired by her adventures, also selling rare and one-of-a-kind pieces from the artisans themselves. She uses these objects, materials, and techniques in her own designs, mindful of respecting global cultures. “There’s not a way to mass produce these without losing the specialness,” she says. Find Maridadi, which means “beautiful” in Swahili, at B.D. Jeffries and W.Port.
