SEBASTIAN BRAUER — Soul Safari

"I always trust myself, but I'm also surrounded by an empowering creative community of adventurers, entrepreneurs and risk takers with similar interests. They provide advice and additive experiences that help me through my process."

Born in Ecuador, Sebastian Brauer studied art and industrial design in Milan and Philadelphia before working as an accessories designer for Anthropologie. There, he took a product development trip to India and Africa that set him on his current path. Inspired to connect more deeply with artisan activism and production, he left his job to work independently as a fashion and home design consultant, concepting products and stories for retailers and connecting brands with global makers. He currently works as the Director of Visual for West Elm, helping to create and concept stories and visual identities across the brand's channels.

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What was your pivot point?

A life-changing trip to India and Africa when I started my career at Anthropologie. I was exposed to the world of socially responsible and artisan made manufacturing.

How did you make what you loved into a job?

Soon after that trip, I dropped everything and embarked on a journey to travel the world to discover, design and support artisan communities globally. I had help from friends, mentors and cheerleaders in five different continents. I did this for almost two years as an independent consultant, helping artisan communities find market access through strategic collaborations with retail partners around the world. I helped them to define their stories, skill sets, design sensibilities and approaches.

What's your advice for someone going through their own transformation?

Follow your instincts and take the leap. Don't be afraid...all experiences are transformative and lead to a better place. Believe in your destiny and understand in confidence that everything happens for a reason. Trust in the power of your mind/body and share it along the way with your community and connectors.

Where is your soul spot?

India. I believe I was born there in a previous life. Touches my soul and stimulates my mind every time. Everything there is so extremely romantic and spiritual that I can't help but have deep intellectual and emotional connections to its culture and beauty. It always unleashes my creativity and self-expression.

Are you following the path of a trailblazer or mentor?

Both. I always trust myself, but I'm also surrounded by an empowering creative community of adventurers, entrepreneurs and risk takers with similar interests. They provide advice and additive experiences that help me through my process.

If you could do anything in the world, what would you do next?

Move to India, have a small house in Southern Italy. Share a life between both worlds just making and exploring, continue to unleash my creativity, design and make with my hands in kind with artisan communities I love. Blend my past and culture through my work. Continue to nurture my interest in exoticism, high craft and cultural immersions.

All images used with permission of Sebastian Brauer.