Meet Our Neighbors: Calligramme

Marissa Vogel learned about US-based manufacturing while teaching special education in a Pittsburgh elementary school. She became passionate about manufacturing processes and the job opportunities they represented for some of the students she worked with, and this dedication to products made in the USA stuck with her while she took a career pivot: Marissa left teaching to open a boutique selling lingerie made in the USA.

Calligramme is located in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood, and carries lingerie that is "strong, bold, and confident—an attractive combination to her customers of the same characteristics." Marissa finds pieces with metallic accents, lacy harnesses, or even ones custom-designed by shoppers. 

"Clients can come in and see our fabric samples, get fitted, and design pieces from an app here in the shop," says Marissa. The custom pieces can accommodate a range of different skin tones and sizes--bras start at 28A and go through 40J, with some wiggle room to go beyond these parameters. Marissa explains that clients have designed entire collections of custom briefs, bralets, robes, and loungewear, which the manufacturer will modify on the rare chance the products don't fit the customers as desired. 

Like any boutique owner who fits women for bras, Marissa has learned that women just aren't wearing the right size, particularly if they wear a small band and a large cup. When interviewing vendors, Marissa looks for companies who can accommodate these women. Visiting vendors like California-based Dollhouse Betty taught her that people visit stores in person seeking out specialty sizes that are either smaller or larger than those available elsewhere. "It's harder to do production in those sizes," says Marissa, so it's been a challenge for her to find vendors here in the United States.

But working with US-based vendors allows Marissa to maintain a personal relationship that translates to a beautiful place for customers to find classy panties and sensual lingerie that fits them well. Marissa is inspired, for instance, by harMonica, designed by Brooklyn-based Monica Ditzler. Marissa likes harMonica's every-day wear, which is infused with fun metallics and whimsical, dreamy designs. "She makes awesome shorts," says Marissa. "I wear them under dresses and skirts!"

Another favorite is Uye Surana, who Marissa says is one of the more sustainable designers she's met. "She uses fabric scraps to add details to other pieces--beautiful lace and mesh. She even makes her own dyes." Marissa carries everything from bralets to body chains to ombre-dyed briefs from this designer.

Her shop is filled with exciting lingerie products, but also features home decor like these hilarious tan-line planters. Marissa is currently most excited about the bodysuits she's carrying right now. "Bodysuits are a nice piece to transition between seasons," she says, "because you can dress them up or down, layer them...even wear them around the house!"

For now, you can check out Calligramme in person, but stay tuned this summer! Marissa is relaunching her online shop to reach customers nationwide. 

Image by: Dexter Edwards