Melinda Tian, Cofounder & Chief Fashion Officer

Location: Los Angeles, Hangzhou

Education: Columbia University, New York

Career history: Harper's Bazaar, Bloomingdale's

Melinda began her career in Bloomingdale's Executive Development Program and later worked at two fashion startups, where she gained expertise in e-commerce, merchandising, branding, and operations. She currently splits her time between Los Angeles and Hangzhou, overseeing various aspects including creative direction, design, merchandising, customer support and operations. 

Tan ah geok, Cofounder & CMO

Location: Singapore, Los Angeles

Education: UC Berkeley, Berkeley

Career history: Uber, Dolls Kill

Before Craftopia, Tan honed her skills as a product manager at Dolls Kill and as a stylist at the US-based boutique Totokaelo. She also spent four years at Uber as a founding team member at UberEverything, helping scale UberDesign into one of the largest creative players in the world. Currently, Tan divides her time between Singapore and Los Angeles, where she leads Craftopia's marketing, brand, and content team.

Sophia Chen, Founder & Head of Felt Craft

Location: Beijing, London, Los Angeles

Education: Royal College of Art, London

Career history: Craft Fairs, Etsy

Sophia Chen began her career by participating in various craft fairs, showcasing her exquisite felt creations. She then opened her own shop on Etsy, attracting a global customer base. Sophia now splits her time between Beijing, Los Angeles and London, overseeing the design, creative direction, and product development of her felt crafts.

James Williams, Cofounder & Head of Leather Craft

Location: Los Angeles, Florence

Education: Florence Leather School, Italy

Career history: Hermès, Independent Studio

James Williams started his career as a leather artisan at Hermès, gaining extensive experience in high-end leather craftsmanship. He then established his own independent studio, focusing on custom leather carving and design. James currently divides his time between Los Angeles and Florence, leading the leather craft team and ensuring each piece reflects unique artistry and exceptional craftsmanship.

Emily Li: Embroidery Artisan and Designer

Based in: New York, Paris, Tokyo

Educational Background: Central Saint Martins, London

Professional Journey: Exhibitions, Etsy Store

Emily Li embarked on her artistic journey through participation in numerous art exhibitions, where she showcased her meticulously crafted embroidery pieces. Her unique style and attention to detail quickly garnered attention, leading her to establish her own Etsy store, which now serves a global clientele. Splitting her time between New York, Paris, and Tokyo, Emily is dedicated to the design, creative direction, and development of her embroidery art, ensuring each piece is a testament to her passion and skill.