This past winter, I ventured to northern Portugal alongside one of the partners I represent. We journeyed to the far north of the country to hand-select new vintage pieces and explore the area’s production capabilities for wool, linen, and basketry. 

This month, I'm so excited to bring another interview to you, this time speaking with Haley Seidel, Vice President of Design and Development for The Citizenry. In my eyes The Citizenry is one of the leading artisan brands in the field today. They design and curate a thoughtful assortment of items for the home, made by talented artists around the globe. It’s been such a joy to watch this company grow over the years. I met the founder Carly in Guatemala eight years ago when she was just brainstorming her dream. Then a year later, I reconnected with Carly and her business partner Haley in New York, and their concept was already coming to life in such a strategic and beautiful way. They saw a place in the market for their vision of artisan goods, designed exclusively for their brand. Years later, they now have not only a leading home decor brand creating real impact for the artisan sector but also a newly opened shop in the heart of SOHO. They continue to inspire the field and their consumers.

This past winter I ventured to Morocco alongside my sourcing partner and friend, Frederic Alcantara. We had an incredible journey exploring the craftsmanship of southern Morocco together. The trip is one I will hold near to my heart as Frederic recently and unexpectedly passed away. I feel honored to have spent as much time as I did with him, to see him in action doing what he loves. For those who knew him, Frederic was a special soul. He had a kind heart and a true passion for the artisan sector. He put his all into opening opportunities for artists in Morocco and beyond.

This week, I would love to tell you a bit about one of my partners from Bangladesh that offers all things made of cane. Traditionally, cane artisans in Bangladesh produced household items like baskets for carrying rice or other agricultural products. It was a skill passed down from mother to child, especially within the country’s Hindu communities. In recent years, however, plastic has slowly crept into the market, competing with natural fiber basketry.

This week I am delighted to share some beautiful finds from my partner in Mexico (Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya), who has been working hard to create employment opportunities for master craftsmen and women impacted by the pandemic. In partnership with enterprises around Mexico and guidance from Igenris and the United Nations Development Program, they have created a non-profit to promote the production activity of artisans in Mexico who have been affected by the uncertainty caused by social distancing measures. The non-profit guarantees fair income to families and communities with a mission to help preserve the heritage and cultural identity of Mexico.

There is nothing like witnessing a beautiful spring in France, especially during these hard times. I can't wait until we can escape beyond 10 km…I'm dreaming of going straight to Provence to witness everything taking bloom. It still is one of my favorite spots in France – I particularly love the small towns throughout the Luberon Valley – it’s dreamy.

But on a different note, this week we venture to the Yucatan to unravel another material from the area. If you’re like me, you like to keep things paired down in the bathroom as a way to keep the space fresh, clean and bright. These stone accents make for a beautiful but minimal addition to any bathroom – the handcrafted details, the luxurious cream color, and made to last quality of each piece make them truly special, plus the fact that they support a community of artists.