Aqua Underwear: Craft Lake City Artisans

After pioneering the virtual festival format for the 2020 DIY Festival, Craft Lake City is making their exciting return to the Utah State Fairpark for the 13th Annual DIY Festival Presented By Harmons. The 2021 Festival features the largest offering yet of artisans, craft foodies, performers and much more. Read about some of the fantastic Utah DIY-ers participating at this year’s festival in the following pages, and head to craftlakecity.com for more information on the 13th Annual DIY Festival.

Mel Martinez’s shop, Aqua Underwear, offers boxer briefs customized for every body. “[We] take into account your measurements and between-the-leg needs by offering a variety of gusset (crotch space) style options,” says Martinez of their inclusivity mantra.

Concerning how the business began, Martinez says, “I’m pretty particular about the way clothes fit, especially underwear … so I started experimenting with making my own. The more I got into handmade underwear, the more friends—many of them queer—shared their underwear frustrations with standard sizing and gendered underwear options.”

Being a queer, Chicanx sewist, Martinez was determined to broaden inclusivity efforts, especially in lingerie. “Being a queer, Brown person myself, having my own business gives me a beautiful opportunity to prioritize and highlight folks in that community,” Martinez says. “We also have a 20% undie discount and even some pay-what-you-can options through the Aqua Underwear QTI/BIPOC Community Program!”

To place an order, go to aquaunderwearslc.com and fill out a custom form. Sizes range approximately from 3XS-5XL (with efforts to expand next year), and the briefs are offered in different colors of cotton, lace and mesh.

Martinez says, “eventually, we’ll offer many different fun and exciting styles, like briefs, harnesses, thongs, absorbent undies, etc.—for all genders, of course.” Stay up to date with their work through Instagram @aquaunderwear.