Ownme means 'being myself' and 'doing my own thing'.

It all started after I (Tessa M. de Graaf) had finished Fashion Academy Montaigne in Amsterdam (AMFI). I had been working as a freelance stylist for almost 3 years and began to realize something was missing. I questioned myself: 'why do we need new clothes every season? Why do we throw away clothes (SALE) when we feel they are not 'in fashion' any more? Isn't fashion more about identity than about 'new' colours, 'new' models etc. Isn't quality much more important than quantity?

I needed some time to figure it all out so I went back to school again. After finishing a master course Fashion, Design and Strategy I decided to follow my heart. Illustration is my passion. I really love to draw! I decided to pluck up courage and started working on a portfolio and website.

Now I have my own label OWNME: screen printed shirts made of bamboo and organic cotton, I am working for magazines like Avant Garde, Opzij, Viva, I have made illustrations for YOI (www.hiphonest.com), Dutch bag label CIN by Cindy Jeurissen (www.bagsbagsbags.nl), fair trade label Studio Jux (www.studiojux.com), Jannissima (www.jannissima.com) and Succes Organizing Systems.

My aim is to work with environmentally friendly materials from beginning (pencil, ink, paper, etc.) till end product (illustrations for magazines, (fashion)brands, interior design, shops, ecological shirts etc.)

Everybody who wants to know more about me, to join me, to share information and inspiration or just wants to be on the mailinglist, send an email to tessa@ownme.nl

Live your heart, life is too short to do something else!