Rae Dunn

Rae Dunn was born in Fresno, California, where she grew up.[3][4] Her brand's about page describes her as a classical pianist and painter.[5] Dunn began taking piano lessons at the age of four.[1] In her youth, Dunn and her siblings were in a band named "The Dunns".[6] She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from her hometown Fresno State in Industrial Design before moving to San Francisco in the 1980s.[4][6]

While in San Francisco, Dunn worked in retail, graphic design, and fashion, and also opened a French bistro in Pacific Heights with her then-fiancé.[4]

Dunn later found a passion for clay art while working as a waitress in 1994.[4][5] Her waitressing job allowed her free time during the day, which she used to go exploring.[4] Then in her 30s, while walking in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, Dunn came across the Sharon Art Studio.[1] The public space offered workshops and classes; Dunn signed up for a clay art class after flipping a coin.[6] Dunn's work is "strongly influenced by the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi".[1][5] Country Living described Dunn's art style as "simple, cozy, and organic."[1]

In 1995, she began to pursue ceramics full-time and founded her eponymous brand.[4] Her ceramic work was featured in Martha Stewart Living.[1] In 2013, Dunn opened her own studio and gallery.[7]

After deciding to pursue ceramic art as a full-time career, she founded her eponymous brand of ceramic wares in 1995.[4] She later secured a licensing deal with Magenta, Inc. and since 2003, the ceramics manufacturer has mass-produced her line of wares.[4][6][8] The brand gained increased popularity in the 2010s due to a confluence of the "farmhouse chic" trend and rise of social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.[8][9]

The brand's wares are known for featuring simple designs and one- or two-word phrases, like "yum" or "family" emblazoned on them.[2][9][10] These phrases are also labeled with the brand's signature font, a "delicate, unadorned, hand-crafted" typeface.[2][11] White or cream-colored ceramic mugs and containers have been cited by media outlets as among the brand's most popular.[2][12]

Products from the brand have been cited to be considerably coveted, with shoppers of the brand lining up early prior to a store's opening in order to acquire products.[9][13] Dunn's brand has attracted a cult following, with shoppers being nicknamed "Rae Dunners" and "Rae Dunn Women" and labeled as "rabid" and "feral" by media outlets.[1][12][14] Additionally, "a voraciously focused secondary market of resellers, traders, and collectors has grown around the brand."[8] Dunn herself has acknowledged the following behind her brand, referring to it as a "weird phenomenon" that she never intended to cause.[2] She also expressed being sad and upset about resellers, stating "I wish I could sell more of my handmade stuff. But when I do it, I know that people are buying it and reselling it for hundreds of dollars more," adding "I feel like I'm just being used."[2]

Since launching her brand, Dunn has ventured into writing. She has authored three books.[1]

Dunn is married and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area,[1] having been based in Berkeley and Emeryville.[7][4] She also has annual residencies in France. Dunn has been cited as "shy", "quiet", and "an introvert" in her personal life.[1][2]

• Wilma's World: Good Advice from a Good Dog (2015)
• France: Inspiration du Jour (2017)
• In Pursuit of Inspiration: Trust Your Instincts and Make More Art (2019)