Gem City Style: June 2023 Pride

Jessica Hunter

Gaby Reyes, creator of Melancholy, a clothing brand that spreads the message of hope and healing, has also designed the cover of this June Erie Reader issue. They hope their design conveys the message that love will prevail over the current wave of anti LGBTQIA rhetoric and legislation.

Jessica Hunter (JH): Melancholy is a clothing brand rooted in self-love, personal growth, and mental health awareness. Gaby, you have an incredible story behind Melancholy Brand. Can you share a little bit about yourself and how you got started with the idea for the brand in 2018?

Gaby Reyes (GR): Sure! I am the product of an immigrant Latino family, a first-generation college graduate, and I am a queer artist based here in Erie. Melancholy was born out of a want to do more with my second chance at life. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when I was 17. I went through a thyroidectomy, radiation treatment, isolation, and mental health struggles because of my experience. I was declared cancer-free Nov. 30, 2017. I've always had an appreciation for clothing and the way it is used for expression so I wanted to take my art concepts and put it on clothing to spread messages of hope and healing.

JH: You are an advocate for self-love and growth in its many forms. How do you also promote inclusiveness and diversity into your brand?

GR: Melancholy creates a space where all are welcome. One of my core values is to show up wherever and be my authentic self. Melancholy encourages others to be their authentic selves as well. Being someone who is queer and Hispanic, I want to create an environment that welcomes people as they are and allows them to share their story with me. Mental health struggles don't discriminate and I want to be able to offer an experience that lets everyone know that they matter.

JH: How has the feedback been from the community and beyond? I am sure you get orders from all over the world!

GR: The feedback from the community leaves me in awe truly. I've gotten messages from people telling me that they are rooting for the brand and that Melancholy is making an impact and it amazes me. I've had one person ask me if they could get one of my designs tattooed! At the moment Melancholy is represented in 28 states and, internationally, Melancholy has been to England, Spain, Iceland, Denmark, and Canada.

JH: You recently worked on the latest Erie Reader June Pride Month cover. What was your inspiration behind the message and design?

GR: When coming up with the design, I drew inspiration from the feelings I had in response to rhetoric surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community lately. Often it can be overwhelming to see so much news about things like states banning gender-affirming care or other attempts to erase queerness from the public eye. In response to that, I feel that love shall prevail. No one can make us go back into the closet.

JH: What is your favorite type of imagery? And what is something new you would like to create in the future?

GR: My favorite type of imagery currently is that of the pop art movement. Two of my favorite artists are Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. In the future I would like to create posters of my original works that I would screenprint. I was inspired by Erie artist Roy Ahlgren to try and screenprint my works.

JH: You offer a screenprint and sip party. Can you tell us about the concept, experience, and how to book with you?

GR: The screenprint and sip experience is one that gives a group of up to six people the chance to make their own garments with designs provided by local artists or the participants themselves. I wanted to create an interactive experience to demystify screenprinting and show that anyone is capable of making art. Guests can come in with their favorite beverages and spend an hour and a half printing with me and getting hands-on experience with the medium of screenprinting. There are some transitional things happening right now but when booking becomes available folks can book through the website or through messages to me directly.

Gaby Reyes of Melancholy can be found at melancholybrand.com or via Facebook or Instagram @melancholy_brand

Jessica Hunter can be found at jessicahunterphotos.com