About me

Hi! My name is Aphtan Mellado and I founded Kitsch x Kitsch in 2022. The name takes direct inspiration from the word kitsch (to be considered in poor taste but appreciated in an ironic or knowing way). Having dual meaning, kitsch is also used to describe the art movement of the same name (its origins beginning in the 19th century, but more sincerely used in conjunction with pop art of the 1950's). As an artist and designer myself, I gravitate towards the novelty/eclectic style of kitsch as well as the idea of not being overly sentimental. When creating this logo, I took influence from a favorite painting of the era, Two Clowns by French painter Bernard Buffet.

I'm Mexican-American, born and raised in Houston, TX (with family emigrating from Matamoros). Being a minority owned small business comes with challenges, but creating a brand from the ground up is a rewarding experience in & of itself. I'm self taught, and designed each aspect of Kitsch x Kitsch with thoughtful intentions.

In the same vein, I try to be thoughtful when it comes to packaging. Sustainability is very important, with most aspects being either biodegradable, home compostable, or recyclable (this includes all inks and adhesives). That being said, transparency is equally important to longevity (especially with the rampant use of greenwashing by corporations & businesses alike). These products are made/designed/shipped by one person (me), with supplies manufactured by primarily eco-friendly sources (though this itself is a blanket statement and the technicalities involved, including how each company offsets their carbon emissions is quite complex). I will continue to do my best to navigate this, and am always on the lookout for alternative fair labor solutions.

Thank you for reading (wherever you are) and thank you for supporting small!

- Aphtan