Co-founder & Executive Director, CTFC

Founder, Soul Studio

Born & Raised in Austin, Tx, Melissa Pierce (She/Her) established her brand Soul Studio in 2016 creating a line of womenswear made from recycled flowers and natural dyes. She’s spent her years building community in the Austin area by producing fashion shows, SXSW events, pop-ups, and more. In 2023 she joined forces with Kasi Martin to co-found the Central Texas Fashion Coalition.

Co-Founder & Director of Communications, CTFC

Founder, Peahen Studio

With a career spanning 10 years in fashion and sustainability, Kasi (She/Her) forged her way as a journalist and founder of The Peahen, an award-winning blog dedicated to sustainable fashion. The Coalition’s resident wordsmith, Kasi has also led communications at Fair Trade USA and directed marketing and copy campaigns for sustainable lifestyle brands.

Today, she works as a freelance journalist and wardrobe stylist at Peahen Studio. Kasi joined forces with Melissa Pierce in 2023 to co-found the Central Texas Fashion Coalition.

Director of Finance, CTFC

Stylist at Woad and Weld

Emily Rose, originally from OKC, with deep family ties in Texas, has found her home in Austin as a Fashion Stylist and Finance Professional. As a lifelong fashionista, her path lead her to study fashion at Lasell University in Boston. After finding distaste for the reality of the fashion world and its impact on the environment, she decided early that if she was going to work in fashion it would be sustainable; with a mission to build a better future for the industry. She changed her degree to International Business & Environmental Studies. For the last 12 years, she has gained a plethora of knowledge ranging from nonprofit, accounting, fundraising, environmental justice, data analysis, DEI, community organizing, social media and international fair trade operations.
Her favorite part about fashion is how interdependence and community are woven into every part of it. She joined the CTFC in June 2025, to bring her love of finance and business to support a mission that strengthens that very community.

Community & Media Intern, CTFC

Emma-Rae Robinson (she/they) is a multi-media artist, and community advocate based in Austin, Tx.
She has a history of successful collaborations with organizations such as Whole Foods Market and Keep Austin Beautiful, and a passion for creative direction.
Emma-Rae has recently stepped into Austin’s fashion industry, hoping to grow, learn, and bring her support to the world of sustainable fashion professionals here in central Texas.