Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Christensen
Michelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was young when I knew I wanted to be an artist- around 7 years old. I always drew and it was something that came naturally to me. I grew up in a home that inspired creating, music, and art. Being an artist has always felt like my calling. I lived in Paris for a few months after college, and my brand, My Little Belleville, is inspired by the arrondissement of Belleville, which is quite a diverse area of Paris. I am inspired by pattern, moments in life, films, travel, dreams, and people. I am very inspired by my childhood in Asia- especially in Beijing, China.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
At a young age I realized my desire to be an artist, and recognized I had raw talent that needed to be refined in order to become a good one. This took a lot of work and I was so grateful to have great schools, a degree, and many many mentors and opportunities that helped refine my artistic skill. My struggles have always been when I realize I need to learn something and get better at my craft and take the time to do that. This takes recognition and patience, which as a young person, I sometimes felt impatient to do. Now as I have had years of practice and experience, it feels easier to know when I need to be better or make something I’m working on, better.
I have always been up for challenges, and sometimes, in the very beginning of my art career, I wasn’t ready to face those challenges, and had to learn the hard way. But I don’t think this was bad, I think I was bold because I was young and inexperienced and would sometimes jump head-first into things!
I think pushing through feelings of failure leads ultimately to success if you are willing to learn and grow from those experiences. As I get older, experience leads to confidence in my own abilities. Failure isn’t always bad. It’s a way to learn and get better.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
After moving back to the USA, I was hired to design for Anthropologie’s Home Department and oversaw the design of garden and decorative accessories. My team designed some of the best-selling products in their Home Department, and you can still catch a glimpse of my signature ink-work in some of the pieces still sold there.
Since then I’ve designed for prominent companies like Hallmark, Ellen DeGeneres, Interior Define, Freshly Picked, Terrain, among many others locally and abroad.
In 2020 I decided to focus on my own company and started hand-painting jumpsuits during covid. They got so popular that I had to find a manufacturer to make them in small limited batches. I work with a factory in India who are wonderful and limit waste, use chemical free inks, and use locally sourced fabrics for my illustrative clothing.
My brand has grown a cult following of film directors and other creatives across the film and music industry. My jumpsuits and clothing have been worn by celebrities like Lena Headey, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Sky Katz, Susan Sarandon, Dayna Isom Johnson, and Ali Fedotowsky.
My Little Belleville has been featured in Martha Stewart, Country Living, Glamour, Olive Magazine, Frankie Mag, and Forbes, and Real Simple.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I grew up in China and South Africa till I graduated HS. I was also in a quite eclectic band in college and I played the flute in it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mylittlebelleville.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mylittlebelleville
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mylittlebelleville/
