Owner, creator and artist Noelle Sharp was raised in the USA but has spent her life traveling the world in search of the most unique art, artisan goods and innovative design. When not traveling owner Noelle Sharp works as a freelances Creative Consultant and runs a studio art practice. 

Owner Noelle Sharp comes from a long line of store owners and small businesses on both sides of her parents. Her great, great, great grandfather Stephen a’Porta opened Cafe a’Porta in 1788 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The cafe continued throughout 100's of years and the building still says a’Porta on the outside. The oil painter Vilhelm Rosenstand created a painting called “Outside the Café A Porta, Copenhagen” by 1882.

Her grandmother Florence a’Porta left Denmark after living through the Nazi occupation of Denmark, World War 2 and came to America for a better life. She spoke no English, took the boat from Denmark to New York then a train from New York to California, by herself. When Sharp started her textile company in Chicago in 2011 she changed the spelling of their Danish family name for her business to APORTA as Americans have an easier time pronouncing it that way.

APORTA Shop began as a designer textile, knitwear and accessories company called APORTA Textiles in 2012 in Chicago, IL. In 2017 APORTA Shop was launched online and in 2019 the retail location opened in Missoula, MT.

In 2023 APORTA Design Studio was created and APORTA Shop the store was paired down to a highly curated collection or art and found items.

Founded by artist and designer, Noelle Sharp, APORTA has been fueled by excellence in craftsmanship and quality of living.

Through Sharp's travels and her collaborative design work she has connected with incredible artists and designers.