Biography

The daughter of a lauded poet, Marisol Arteaga was raised to look hard at the world and find the thread worth pulling. Her work reflects that upbringing — the inspirations gathered in a lifelong search for beauty that can't be manufactured, only found.

From her studio in Brooklyn, she incorporates elements from art, architecture, textiles, and apparel craftsmanship into a singular modern vision. With over fifteen years of concept, design, and trend forecasting experience across Fortune 500 retail systems, high-growth startups, and her own founder-led brand, her work embodies luxury, ease, and a deeply rooted romance with craft.

Arteaga's designs are the result of cross-cultural collaborations between craftsmen and weavers from different parts of the world — each piece rooted in authenticity, heritage, and the kind of workmanship that takes generations to perfect. Her collections highlight the exquisite and are created for longevity: each piece is meant to be worn for years to come.

Practice

Arteaga combines the finest fabrications and intricate workmanship with ethical and sustainable design practices. Her sourcing relationships span India, Mexico, Italy, France, and Japan — built directly with artisans and mills, never through intermediaries.

Her unique creations are rooted in sustainable design practices that aim to empower traditional weaving communities and help preserve indigenous design practices from different parts of the world. B Corp values from inception: fair trade, artisan empowerment, and radical supply chain transparency.

She has held long-term creative director and head designer roles at Christopher Blue, Michael Stars, Young Fabulous & Broke, and Alo Yoga — and has directed projects for Nanette Lepore, Kenneth Cole, Hollister, and Abercrombie & Fitch. She began her career at Gap Inc. with Old Navy and Target's Mossimo label.

"I journey far in search of what can't be manufactured — the kind of beauty that takes generations to make. Then I bring it home and build something from it."
Marisol Arteaga · Creative Director
Recognition & Leadership
ADC Award
Sustainability in Design
The One Club for Creativity — recognising creative work with measurable environmental and ethical impact.
FIT Design Entrepreneurs
Selected Finalist
Competitive mini-MBA programme backed by the NYC Economic Development Corporation, for fashion founders with high-growth potential.
Pratt Institute
Venture Fellow — Sustainability & Design Incubator
Fellowship focused on building design-led ventures with embedded sustainability practices.
Imagine Success Grant
$25,000 award recipient (2023)
Competitive grant supporting the growth of Arteaga NYC and its artisan partnership model.
Squarespace
Paid Brand Partner
National Hispanic Heritage Month campaign, 2021.
Nest Guild & Accelerator
Member & Mentor
Active mentor in the Nest Global Artisan Accelerator; advisor to the NYC Media Technology & Design Commission for arts-focused schools.
Selected Experience
Founder
Arteaga NYC
Founder · Creative Director
Ethical womenswear built end to end — creative direction, sourcing, production, merchandising, and go-to-market. Placed at ABC Carpet & Home NYC and specialty retailers in the US and Europe.
5
Countries sourced
Creative Direction
Alo Yoga
Consulting — Pre-Revenue
Recruited to establish the design function at pre-revenue athleisure startup. Redesigned collection strategy around cohesive, fashion-forward storytelling. Built design team and merchandising assortment architecture.
$10B+
Current valuation
Head of Design
Christopher Blue
Head of Design
Repositioned brand from contemporary to premium denim. New design language opened Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom accounts and increased buy depth at Neiman Marcus. Led cross-functional team of 9–12.
Creative Consulting
Nanette Lepore
Private Label Launch
Led launch from brand acquisition through market entry. Sell-in presentation secured a nationwide Macy's account with a $250K initial purchase order.
$250K
First order secured
Designer
Gap Inc.
Old Navy · Target Mossimo
Designed collections for high-performing categories at Old Navy (Boys Division) and co-managed the $40M boys line at Target's Mossimo label. Foundation in large-scale retail product development systems.
Terrain
Mexico City
Hospitality Property
Design-led hospitality property conceived and built in Mexico City. Creative direction spanning spatial concept, material curation, and brand identity. Achieved 85% occupancy before completion.
85%
Occupancy pre-completion
Education
University of California, Berkeley
A.B. Visual Studies & Design, Honors
Université de Lyon II
French Language & Culture
Lyon, France
Parsons School of Design
Design Sketching
New York
Available

Interested in design leadership roles at brands building something with longevity.