About

Founded in 2020, Base Isle is a co-ed clothing line Inspired by the archipeaglo's white sandy beaches and breathtaking rock formations. Base Isle combines the concept of traditional resort wear, with the vision of transforming the way we appreciate locally sourced material and artistry work. 

The founder, Melissa, is an American-born, Chinese Seychellois. Like many immigrant families, her parents moved 8,500 miles to America to provide a better life for their children. From age 6, Melissa expressed an early  interest in fashion, which was instilled in her by her mother, a self-made seamstress and business owner, operating out of the basement of their  home. After her mother was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease In 2010 and her ability to sew declined heavily within the recent years, Melissa made a  promise to her mother that one day she would design her own line.

With the desire to pay homage to her roots, Melissa merged this passion for artistry work with inspiration drawn from her mother and home island. And with this, Base Isle was born.

In an ongoing search for new partnerships and native sustainable fibers, Base Isle’s larger ambition is to embolden pan African artisans as a collective and provide global exposure to local creatives and communities. The overarching vision is to not only support African artisans, but also found a company that focuses on sustainable practices that will be critical to the island’s survival.

The logo was inspired by the main island of Seychelles, Mahe. Each collection is named after a different island within the archipelago, with each item taking its name from a member of Melissa’s family. The name "Base" is a tribute to the cherished memories of her mother, where they spent time sewing together in the basement of their home. "Isle" honors the beauty and spirit of the island itself.

Thank you for supporting my small business. Your purchase means more than you know and I hope you continue to follow Base Isle on this journey as we grow. - Melissa