META MINI ISSUE 05: Masa Toro by META

Chapter One

Table of Contents

Issue 05: Once Upon a Time

CHAPTER 1: TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE 04 - 05

CHAPTER 2: LETTER FROM MASA TORO MASA TORO CHAPTER 3: LETTER FROM THE CO-FOUNDERS JOY CHEN + TIFFANY HUE CHAPTER 4: DAYDREAMING WITH MASA TORO JOY CHEN + TIFFANY HUE + EMILY KIM CHAPTER 5: MASA TORO’S PROCESS MASA TORO CHAPTER 6: PURE IMAGINATION MASA TORO CHAPTER 7: ONCE UPON A TIME JOY CHEN + MASA TORO EPILOGUE: THANK YOU JOY CHEN + TIFFANY HUE

PAGE 06 - 07 PAGE 08 - 09 PAGE 10 - 17 PAGE 18 - 19 PAGE 20 - 21 PAGE 22 - 33 PAGE 34 - 35 5

Letter From Masa Toro

Chapter Two 6

Sometimes we find ourselves in the aether, floating in our minds with no map, and wishing for an adventure to sweep us off our feet. Maybe living in a fairytale with kings and princesses, riddles and mazes, beasts with hearts or gold, and fated prophecies would make us feel better. Story books and the presence of magic was essential in my upbringing. My favorites are the fantasy stories about our protagonist getting lost and ending up in an imaginary world, where they must complete a mission in an effort to return home, until that time comes and they look back on all of the friends they’ve made along the way, before the character steps back into their own world. Stories were a way to lull me to sleep and keep myself entertained on summer days with nothing else to do. As a kid my grandmother would tell me stories of gnomes and fairies that lived in the garden. Her house in Guadalajara defined maximalism; huge potted plants that reached the ceiling, a lush garden with tiny statues, bells hanging in corridors, crowded bookshelves on witchcraft and healing, incense burning in every room, and all the precious rocks and crystals your heart could imagine. Of course as I grew up, my fantasies of magic were snuffed, but my room remained my escape. I would use the same inspiration from my grandmother’s house to make my own nest, and to this day in my studio apartment. Much of what is in my apartment right now has been packed up and traveled multiple times before, in fact, I could tell you when and where any of my decor is from. Sustainability has always been an intrinsic part of my work, as one of my greatest comforts comes from familiarity; rewatching, re-reading, reusing. I’ve kept books since I was little that still pluck my heartstrings, and watch videos and movies and never fail to make me laugh. Some of this sentimentality leaks into my fiber art––I’ll use as much secondhand fiber as possible, because it has a past life we can renew. The creation of my garments usually takes place in the late evening once the sun has set. I’ll put on my headphones and listen to a certain playlist of music I’ve been listening to since I was eleven. Around that age I would draw digitally all the time, and as a kid in 2012 the best way to listen to music was youtube. I would soon discover small pockets of music that became very personal––lesser known vocaloid songs and post rock music put me in a trance––and to this day still do.

Chapter Three

Letter From the Co-Founders

When you were younger, what did you lean on for comfort or entertainment? Perhaps it was your favorite cartoon that came on every Sunday morning, or the scrappy old fairytale book that sat on your bedside table. And years later, these classic stories continue to inspire our creative endeavors. Our childhoods have undoubtedly shaped who we have become today, and because of the magical thinking instilled in our minds as children, we are able to look forward to more hopeful tomorrows. In MINI Issue 05: Once Upon A Time, designer and artist Masa Toro explores the nostalgic fairytales that allowed her to find her creative voice in a world. Drawing inspiration from her heavy consumption of animated television shows and her Mexican heritage, Masa Toro is truly a one-of-a-kind artist who uses this issue to share her imaginative mechanics with the world. At META, we uplift stories and individuals who discover themselves through their upbringings, and Masa Toro is no exception. In her issue Once Upon A Time, enter the daydream she creates as a solace for herself, one that greatly inspires us. Explore the nostalgia of your childhoods that have made you who you are today, and reflect on the stories that continue to inspire the person you have become since then. So, read on to find your own daydream with Masa Toro.

Daydreaming with Masa Toro

Chapter Four 10

“It’s really humbling that something I can

make can bring people some sense of comfort”

Hidden in an impeccably-decorated studio apartment in Los Angeles lives artist Masa Toro, who wears her heart on her sleeve––quite literally––with every piece she creates. Scattered across her walls are mementos from different stages of life, some being animated trinkets from her childhood to Post-It notes collected during school. What seems like arbitrary ornamentation to others turns out to be a world of discovery for Masa Toro, and the decor that makes up her room represents what makes her who she is today. Although the creative world was always a daydream to Toro, it was not until recently when she decided to take this dream to the next level. “It’s really humbling that something I can make can bring people some sense of comfort,” says Toro as she knits a colorful sweater vest for a client. “The concept of my work is very homemade. I didn’t mean for this to be what is is now, but everyone was incredibly lonely during the start of the pandemic, and I had personally gone through a very intense revelation in my life.” From there, Masa Toro found her voice through clothing––that is, through upcycled vintage pieces and custom knitwear accessories.

“The core of Masa Toro’s brand is embracing a new brand of self-discovery that encourages a unique sense of femininity and character. ”

Fairytales are not the only core memories of Toro’s childhood. Gesturing around her room, Toro also points out a Post-It note that sits right above her bedside shelf, a memory that has lasted over half a decade. “When I was 13, I was wandering through school when I overheard this class having a recycling lesson. In the hallway, I found a piece of paper that said, ‘Cannot be reused nor replaced’ and I really liked it. To me, it felt like a message from the universe.” What Toro found in a recycling lesson’s label soon became a mantra for her own self worth. While she is an individual who cannot be reused nor replaced, her art reflects a familiar pattern. Although her pieces are made from recycled materials, the artistic vigor of her work is irreplaceable. “I always loved my grandma’s jewelry a lot and I still have a lot of stuff from her,” says Toro as she recalls the art that initially inspired her oeuvre. “Eventually, I thought to myself, ‘I wanna make stuff like that.’ I started off with sewing patches onto vintage clothing, and I also thrifted my yarn.” In a world riddled with the bearings of fast fashion, independent artists like Masa Toro are working to create charming, handmade alternatives that are bound to elevate your wardrobe like no other. When it comes to her knitwear, Toro creates every piece individually, drawing different inspiration for each item of clothing.

“Cannot be reused nor replaced.”

“Do what you do for the art of it. Do it for yourself.”

“A lot of my work is for the experience of making it. Do what you do for the art of it. Do it for yourself.” All things considered, what makes Masa Toro who she is today are the stories and fairytales that shaped her mind during the most primitive years of her childhood. With her bedroom doubling as her work studio, the walls draped in mementos serve as a stark reminder of who she is and where she comes from, and this nostalgic feeling of remembrance is felt throughout her work.

Chapter Five

Masa Toro’s Process

The creation of my garments usually takes place in the late evening once the sun has set. I’ll put on my headphones and listen to a certain playlist of music I’ve been listening to since I was eleven. Around that age I would draw digitally all the time, and as a kid in 2012 the best way to listen to music was youtube. I would soon discover small pockets of music that became very personal- lesser known vocaloid songs and post rock music put me in a trance- and to this day still do. Most of my garment making takes place on the floor where I’ll cut out pieces of second hand fabric and pin them in place. When creating pins, drawings, or necklaces I’ll work at my desk. In front of me are thank you notes, love letters, and writings from penpals. Plants are also the perfect addition to a workspace; I have around a dozen plants in my space, they keep me grounded with a watering routine. My greatest comforts come from familiarity; rewatching, re-reading, reusing. I’ve kept books since I was little that still pluck my heartstrings, and watch videos and movies and never fail to make me laugh. Some of this sentimentality leaks into my fiber art- I’ll use as much second hand fiber as possible, it has a past life we can renew.

Pure Imagination

Chapter Six 20

Fairytales and the presence of magic was essential in my upbringing. At home they were a way to lull me to sleep and keep myself entertained on summer days with nothing else to do. My family never stayed in one spot, so I got used to moving, packing up my belongings, and keeping contact with friends online. Much of what is in my apartment right now has been packed up and traveled multiple times before. I think my favorite kind are the fantasy stories about someone getting lost and ending up in an imaginary world, where they must complete a mission in an effort to return home, until that time comes and they look back on all of the friends they’ve made along the way, before the protagonist steps back into their own world.

Thank You

Epilogue 34

Thank you for reading MINI Issue 05: Once Upon A Time featuring artist Masa Toro, an individual who exhibits an unbelievable amount of strength and passion that inspires us to continue to create. We hope you found your own magical daydreams through this issue that paid homage to the stories of our childhoods. At META, we want to thank everyone who has helped us share our creative vision and aspirations. To those who contributed to this issue, we would like to honor the creativity and spirit of our team: Emily Kim, Vivian Nguyen, and Gracy Watts. From us to you, thank you. Love, Joy and Tiffany