036. Gee's Bend Quilters and Francine Thompson: Threads of Resistance

This dual feature episode highlights the artistry of the Gee’s Bend Quilters, whose improvisational designs and cultural resilience transformed necessity into celebrated textile art, alongside Francine Thompson, Design Director at Hims & Hers, who shares insights on visual storytelling and building compelling brand narratives.

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Sources:

• Souls Grown Deep
• Gee's Bend Website: geesbend.org
• Instagram: @geesbendquiltmakers
• Gee's Bend on Etsy

About The Quilters of Gee's Bend

The Gee’s Bend Quilters are a collective of African American women from the small, rural community of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, whose quilting tradition dates back to the 19th century. Descendants of enslaved people who once worked the land as sharecroppers, these women transformed necessity into artistry, crafting bold, improvisational quilts from repurposed fabrics like denim, flour sacks, and worn-out clothing. Their work remained largely unknown outside their community until the early 2000s, when museum exhibitions catapulted them into the national spotlight. Now celebrated as one of the most significant contributions to American textile art, Gee’s Bend quilts have been displayed at the Whitney Museum, the Met, and the Smithsonian. Their distinctive designs—like the Housetop and Bricklayer patterns—have influenced modern art and design, blending tradition with innovation. Today, their legacy continues through exhibitions, workshops, and direct sales, ensuring their craft remains both an artistic and economic lifeline for the community.

About Francine

Francine Thompson is the Design Director of Brand at Hims & Hers, where she brings a strategic and thoughtful approach to branding, creating design systems that feel both human and impactful. With a foundation in graphic design, brand identity, typography, and creative strategy, she has built a career helping brands tell compelling stories that connect with people on a deeper level. Her work spans everything from printed materials to physical products, and she’s known for her ability to turn big ideas into tangible, beautifully executed realities. Based in California, Francine’s expertise in editorial design and brand storytelling has shaped her approach to crafting experiences that feel cohesive from the macro to the micro. In this episode, she shares insights on the power of visual storytelling and what it means to build a brand that resonates.

Follow Francine:

• Instagram: @francineathompson
• Website: francineathompson.com
• TikTok: @franslittlelife

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View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:

Instagram: Amber Asay
Instagram: Women Designers Pod