ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Michelle received her B.S. in Apparel Design and Merchandising Management with a minor in Business & Entrepreneurship from the competitive programs at Oregon State University. Later, she has continued her professional education by earning certificates in Creative Arts and Graphic Design from Colorado Mountain College. Additionally, she attended the prestigious PENSOLE Footwear Design Academy, where she worked with designers from some of the leading footwear design companies in the world.
While concurrently working in the fashion industry, Michelle earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Management & Executive Leadership with an emphasis in Business Sustainability from Penn State University, and is in the process of completing her M.A. in Sustainable Design from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design.
Michelle has a well-rounded background within the Fashion industry. She discovered her passion for design when she was young and began sewing, and soon learned to appreciate creating work with fine details. Michelle began her career working in apparel & footwear retail in sales, store management, and visual merchandising. She has also worked in costume design for costume designer Marti Calson. From there, she also worked as a graphics & print designer and product developer for retailer Fred Meyer, then went into fit, sizing & flat pattern design for the technical outerwear company, Sport Obermeyer. Currently, Most recently, Most recently, Michelle worked as the Director of Technical Design for the sustainability-minded children’s knitwear company Misha & Puff, then to Manager of Global Sizing Standards for Bluestem's portfolio of brands (Draper & Damon's, Blair, and Appleseeds). Currently, working as the Director Product Management, Quality & Sustainability for Charles River Apparel in Boston, Massachusetts..
Michelle has also developed her own fashion line that has been presented in several runway shows across the country. Some of these collections have been invited to show internationally and have one awards for their originality. Michelle has also taken on several other professional projects that complement her industry work, such as creating jewelry and other art collections to raise money for charitable causes, which she continues to do so today.
OUR MISSION
MDfashionsAspen began in the mountains of Aspen, Colorado—a place where nature, scale, and stillness invite reflection, creativity, and care. Living and working in a mountain environment shaped the way Michelle Dunn approaches making: slowly, thoughtfully, and with deep respect for materials and process.
What began as a personal creative practice grew into a body of work rooted in curiosity and experimentation. Michelle is drawn to creative challenges—new techniques, unfamiliar materials, or ideas that feel slightly uncomfortable at first. By starting with questions rather than fixed outcomes, each piece is allowed to evolve organically, often resulting in work that feels unexpected, meaningful, and deeply personal.
Sustainability has always been part of this way of working. Many pieces are created using recycled, repurposed, and found materials, as well as natural fibers and low-impact processes. Limitations are embraced as design guides, encouraging resourcefulness and innovation. Taking something overlooked and giving it new life remains central to the brand’s philosophy.
Beyond making, MDfashionsAspen is guided by a belief that creativity can—and should—be used for good. The brand regularly supports charitable and community-based efforts, whether through donating work, contributing proceeds, or creating tangible acts of care, such as providing meals to families in need. These efforts are not separate from the creative practice, but an extension of it: making with intention, generosity, and responsibility.
Michelle’s creative work spans fashion, jewelry, and fine art, as well as needle arts, weaving, knitting, felting, ceramics, painting, printmaking, and photography. These disciplines inform one another, resulting in work that is tactile, layered, and rooted in hands-on exploration. Each piece offered in the shop is made slowly and intentionally, embracing individuality over mass production.
Though the brand has grown beyond its original geography, it continues to carry the spirit of its beginnings. MDfashionsAspen exists to create beauty with purpose—honoring materials, supporting community, and using art and design as a small but meaningful force for positive change.
We have a passion for giving back! Every design sold, the profits go directly to charity. If there is a charity that you feel passionate about supporting, customers can specify a charity they would like to donate to in the "add note to seller" field, or simply send us a direct message. With every purchase, we will send a receipt showing where exactly your funds went to. Some causes we have donated to in the past include:
- Children's Hospitals
- Care for Foster Children
- Animal Preservation
- Guide Dogs for the Blind
- Preservation of American History
- Women's Health
- Assisted living
- Art Education
Find yourself something beautiful from the variety within our shop, while you yourself being beautiful—your purchase is contributing to the good of others!
RETURN POLICY
We hope that you love our products! Please keep in mind, that since we create for charitable causes, we cannot issue a full refund. Our designs are one of a kind pieces created for runway shows, and are only offered in sample sizes. Please read our product sizing info on each product page to learn more. If you have any questions at all regarding our products, please do not hesitate do write to us! Thank you for giving back to those in need.
CONTACT US
Have a questions, comments, or concerns? Any special requests? Feel free to contact us anytime. We are happy to help! Stay beautiful!