In Comfort Zone, a profile series in Design*Sponge, Alum Ifé Abdus-Salam ('06) gives an insightful interview to Sabrina Smelko. (Photo: Ruby Tull Photography)
Ifétayo Abdus-Salam, better known simply as Ifé, is a New York City native. Born and raised in “the village of Harlem,” the love she has for her neighborhood inspired her to organize a series of pop-up markets which featured a curated selection of Harlem-based artists, and later on, her own jewelry business. Since her days spent beading as a little girl, jewelry-making has been a lifelong passion for Ifé. After exploring metalwork in high school and during her time as an undergrad at Tisch School of the Arts where she majored in Photography and Africana Studies, Ifé continued to nurture her love of jewelry through various classes. Just as home beckons for you after a long day, so too did the pull of this creative practice. Following a 10-year career as an arts educator and public high school art teacher, Ifé was reunited with her jewelry bench after many moons spent looking out her living room window into the vibrant streets surrounding her. Inspired by the unique visual aesthetic of Harlem, with its array of historical and cultural influences, she launched her bold and elegant jewelry line, Hecho en Harlem from her home overlooking Morningside Park.
