About Ailee Cohen.

Hi! I’m Ailee, a resourceful artist with a passion for nature and sustainable design. I was born and raised in sunny San Diego, California, where I enjoyed an adventurous childhood shaped by the ocean, the outdoors, and endless creativity.

From a young age, I loved spending time at the beach, soaking in all the beauty the Pacific had to offer. That deep connection with nature continues to inspire my art and fuels my love for creating sustainable clothing.

Growing up as the middle child of three girls, I learned to entertain myself in imaginative ways. My parents, busy and wisely limiting our screen time, created an environment that nurtured my creative thinking. One of the best gifts I received was from my dad: a big net. With it, I explored the natural world—catching frogs, turtles, snakes, lizards, and bugs, observing their colors and patterns, and then setting them free.

My mom, on the other hand, gifted me her old collection of Barbie dolls—some pristine, some well-loved. I spent countless hours styling them in scraps of fabric, tissues, and even disposable head coverings I sneakily took from Shul. This early exposure to repurposing materials sparked my love for sustainable design.

To this day, I look at everyday objects—especially discarded ones—and see their potential. A milk seal becomes a toy wedding ring, toilet paper rolls transform into binoculars, and empty matchboxes make perfect drawers for a doll-sized desk.

Currently, I’m a student at the University of Washington in Seattle, majoring in Anthropology. While I’m still exploring different paths as a freshman, I’m deeply interested in design, literature, history, education, and psychology. My journey is just beginning, but my passion for creativity and conscious living continues to shape everything I do.