Our Story
Calle Ural is a street in Puerto Rico where my Cuban grandmother used to live and where I spent most of my time learning –from her– to do the things I deeply love and enjoy. When I remember the time spent at calle Ural, my soul floods with the nostalgia of seeing my grandmother sitting in the balcony, peacefully sewing in her studio, watering the plants, or asking me to bring her some gandules or cilantro from outside.
I inherited her strong passion for vintage garments and was lucky enough to learn her vast knowledge of fashion design history. She made sure to pass on her legacy –sewing, designing, creating, restoring and preserving garments– by teaching me how to sew when I was barely six years old and by gifting me her notes filled with formulas to mend and care for clothing. She proved to me that clothing is timeless and can last forever when taken gentle care of.
Ural is more than a vision and concept. It is a journey through years of ancestral knowledge merged from the heritage of three different cultures –Cuban, Guatemalan, and Puertorican– looking for ways to thrive in the Caribbean.
Our Founder
¡Hola! My name is Melissa, and I am the founder, designer, and storyteller behind this brand. My journey is a blend of contrasts—my mind is rooted in research, academia, and science, while my heart thrives in the humanities, art, design, and the beauty found in the everyday.
I am an academic by training and a PhD student, exploring public and mental health and deepening my understanding of human connection and resilience. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with communities through research initiatives and nonprofit organizations, serving as a grant writer and director. These experiences have given me a profound appreciation for the strength of collective stories, the power of preserving heritage, and the beauty of honoring shared traditions.
I am an artist by passion, inspired by the mundane yet profound aspects of life or what I call la cotidianidad. My creative journey is just as integral to who I am. My love for design, photography, and architecture solidified during my time studying in Spain in 2015. Immersed in a culture that reveres craftsmanship and storytelling, I learned to see the extraordinary in the ordinary; the shadows cast by rejas, the vibrant interplay of colors and textures, and the narratives embedded in everyday spaces. These experiences shaped my artistic vision and inspired me to honor my own heritage through design.
Ural is deeply personal, a love letter to my roots and a tribute to my grandmother. Growing up in Río Piedras, I spent countless afternoons with her, surrounded by fabric, patterns, and stories. She taught me ways to find beauty in life’s quiet details and the magic of shared, everyday moments.
Each piece I design is a reflection of that legacy. Inspired by the balconies and spaces where stories unfolded, Ural celebrates Puertorican and Latin American culture and history. It’s my way of preserving our collective memory and sharing the rich cultural heritage that unites us.
As I navigate the dual worlds of academia and art, I am reminded daily of the deep connection between the mind and the heart, between research and creativity. This brand is a reflection of that balance and a testament to the power of storytelling and preservation through design.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Ural is a project dedicated to remembrance and the narratives that connect us all together.
