wool& Spotlight: Kelly Marciales

kelly marciales is a minimalist that focuses on intentional life.

Born and raised in California, Kelly is now living in Nuutah (Palmer), Alaska.

Kelly wore the Willow Swing Dress for her first wool& challenge.
Read more of the wool& Spotlight Series here.

What is your background?

I am a parent, preacher, and university campus director living in Nuutah (Palmer), Alaska. I am fourth-generation Japanese-American, a co-creator of a mutual aid network for queer and BIPOC faith leaders, and am passionate about climate care and community organizing for social justice.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Southern California just a few miles from the beach.

Where do you find inspiration?

My inspiration for minimalist style and living came from our move to Alaska where we downsized considerably from a 2,700 sq.ft., 5 bedroom home in California. The move caused us to examine what we really needed, what we valued, and what we could let go. I look to Japanese minimalist style, a wabi-sabi aesthetic, and spice it up with eclectic local art and vibrant colors. I dress much like I decorate my home; neutral base and simplicity with bold jewelry and a bright lipstick.

Tell us about how you travel.

I enjoy traveling and have colleagues and friends all around the globe. Having reduced my wardrobe to 49 pieces of clothing, including three wool& dresses (Camellia in black, Lola in black, Willow in ochre), and Axis leggings, I am often traveling with a single small tote no matter what the climate or occasion is.

What is something memorable that happened in the last year.

This has been a big year for me and my family as I have transitioned from my role as director of a national program teaching and developing a faith-based community organizing curriculum, to leading as a director of a university in Alaska. The change in career has been beautiful; I am with my family more, I get to focus my energy into improving the community where I work and play, and I have the privilege of working alongside indigenous communities, farmers, and educators to address food insecurity and work toward food sovereignty in Alaska.

Please tell us about your work with local food initiatives to address food insecurity in Alaska.

The farm is Spring Creek Farm, a small organic and experimental farm on the campus I direct, called the Alaska Pacific University Kellogg Campus. We grow veggies for Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, local CSA members, food banks, and have a couple of community farm stands. We work on cold climate, arctic zone growing techniques that are a blend of western practices and indigenous wisdom to produce food in Alaskan communities so that Alaskans can become food sovereign. Currently 98% of Alaska’s food is imported.

What sort of impact has wool / wool& had on your life?

I was invited to do the 100 Day Dress Challenge by my colleague Rev. Tuhina Verma Rasche after she had completed the challenge herself. At the time I began the challenge, I had over 200 pieces of clothing. By the end of the challenge, I had changed the way I thought about my clothing consumption, justice issues related to “fast fashion,” and I drastically reduced my wardrobe and began only buying second-hand clothing. The challenge also got me thinking about other areas of my life where I was consuming thoughtlessly and how I could reduce my carbon footprint by changing my mindset about everything I buy. I am now living a life that feels more authentic by only owning things that I really love. If I don’t love it and I don’t use it, I re-home it.

Have you completed any of our wardrobe challenges?

I completed the 100 day dress challenge twice but only one was official. First with my black Camellia Tank Dress and then a personal 100 day challenge with my ochre Willow Swing Dress. I did 30 days in my Lola dress, and I did the 7x7 capsule wardrobe challenge.

What is your favorite wool& product?

I have my three dresses (Willow, Lola, and Camellia) and Axis crop leggings but my favorite is the Camellia. It is the most versatile item in my closet and has kept me cool in the muggy summers in the South, and warm in the Alaskan winter.