My Story
Hi! I am Amy Kawar and I created Areté as a way to honor the rich connections that I have been able to form throughout my life with people and places around the world, through both work and personal adventure. A collection of particularly meaningful trips to Morocco over recent years has now granted me the opportunity to apply my skills and collaborate with teams of incredible designers, particularly in the areas of jewelry, clothing, textile, and interior design. The possibilities are endless! Having the opportunity to build relationships and work directly with Moroccan artisans in Marrakech, Fez, Tangier, Essaouria, and small villages in between, lights me up big time (You should come visit them with me sometime!).
My core intention with Areté is to create and grow a business where everyone involved is motivated by a common passion and collectively benefits from the experience of working, and learning, together. Connection and building understanding are threads that have been woven throughout my entire personal and professional life and they embody the roots of Arête. I feel that everyone profits by sharing the stories of the artisans and their creations. If thoughtfully told, these stories spark curiosity, awareness, appreciation, and positive action. My greatest hope is that arete will serve in some way as a catalyst of inspiration for you along your own journey!
With Habibi,
Amy
Meet the Team
Melody Gentry works at the intersection of design, craft, and lived experience—shaping Areté as both a showroom and community space in Asheville.
In close partnership with founder, Amy Kawar, she helps guide the vision and daily rhythm of Areté, moving fluidly between creative direction and execution.
Within the space, she leads visual merchandising, designs and produces one-of-a-kind garments, and shapes the environment through interiors, events, and ongoing collaboration across Areté’s apparel and home collections.
Her design work extends into long-standing, hands-on relationships with artisans throughout Morocco, where each piece is developed in close collaboration—rooted in trust, process, and shared authorship rather than production alone.
Together, Melody and Amy design and co-lead immersive journeys to Morocco several times a year. Built through years of personal connection, these experiences bring guests into direct relationship with the artisans and musicians who are deeply woven into Areté’s world—offering something far beyond what can be found or replicated.
With a background in fine art and an instinct for both structure and flow, Melody contributes to the connective tissue of Areté—organizing, refining, and sustaining the systems behind the scenes while shaping what is felt in person in Asheville and Morocco.
