Spotlight: Yi-Mei Truxes
Because we are all spending so much time at home right now, I wanted to share a few people who I love to follow and am inspired by, whose work and profiles transport you and are a bit of an escape right now…
Yi-Mei Truxes is the founder of one of my favorite accessory brands, Bembien, and one of the kindest souls. Although we have yet to meet in person, we frequently email & DM about trips to Europe, natural wine and clothes. I own many of her straw bags and they are always in rotation. Bembien’s instagram is truly one of my favorite accounts to follow—you’re immediately transported to a European summer through it (who doesn’t want that?!). Yi-Mei is also my go-to resource for all things natural wine! She is always trying new bottles and I completely trust her taste. Be sure to follow her, Bembien and her Catskills cabin that she’s renovating with her husband.
IN HER WORDS…
Hi! I’m the founder of Bembien, an accessories line inspired by effortless, coastal European style, with a mission to promote the craft of artisan weavers from around the world. My husband and I live in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and spend our weekends renovating a cabin in the western part of the Catskills.
HOW SHE’S KEEPING SPIRITS UP…
Maintaining perspective—remembering this is hard for everyone, and we’re going to get through this difficult time together. Watching clips of Italian grandmothers dancing on their balconies, NYC’s 7pm claps for healthcare workers and countless acts of virtual kindness…it all helps. I’ll never forget this video released at the end of March by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra titled “From Us, For You.” In their words: “We’re adjusting to a new reality and we’ll have to find solutions in order to support each other. Creative forces help us, let’s think outside of the box and use innovation to keep our connection and make it work, together. Because if we do it together, we’ll succeed.”
CURRENTLY WATCHING, READING, LISTENING…
I’m currently watching HOME on Apple TV+ and Ugly Delicious on Netflix, reading “Becoming" by Michelle Obama and listening to a rotating roster of my tried and true podcasts: This American Life, Reply All, Masters of Scale, TED Radio Hour and Hidden Brain.
HER FAVORITE natuRal WINE SHOPS + WINES…
Shops:
— Brooklyn: Dandelion Wine, Leon & Sons
— Upstate New York: Dixie’s Wine & Liquor, Upstream Wine
— Web: Primal Wine (note: they also have a store in LA!)
Wines:
— Les Vins Pirouettes Alsace Eros, 2018… my current favorite: a delicious orange from France with gorgeous coloring.
— Croci, Campedello Frizzante Bianco, 2018… a sparkling (orange) from Italy. Not to miss if you’re feeling festive.
— Meinklang Graupert Pinot Gris, 2017… think honey, dried apricot and citrus. (also orange!)
— Glou Glou, Las Jaras, 2019… if you’re new to natural wines, start with this one. Very easy, slightly funky, extremely yummy.
— Feints, Ruth Lewandowski, 2019… light, bright, fun. Plus, a label that will make you smile.
FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION + next place you want to visit…
Favorite place to take a holiday: Italy, always.
Next destination when we’re allowed to leave the country: New Zealand or Japan!
SMALL BRANDS SHE’S SUPPORTING…
— TEKLA – the best towels! Based in Copenhagen (but they ship worldwide!)
— Jono Pandolfi – beautiful ceramic dinnerware. Local to NYC, Jono’s small team outfit an impressive number of the world’s best restaurants. (Tip: they open up their studio once a month, where you can buy seconds product at a discounted price!
— Peet Rivko – run by my dear friend and officemate, Johanna. I especially love their Gentle Cleanser and Exfoliator.
Thank you so much Yi-Mei! Read more Spotlight profiles here.