This month, I am delighted to share an exciting opportunity to travel to Oaxaca from May 15 to 22 alongside filmmaker and professor Carolyn Kallenborn and Ana Paula Fuentes, Founding Director of the Textile Museum of Oaxaca.

It's an interactive journey through which you’ll explore the rich textile culture of Oaxaca, meet talented artisans, participate in hands-on activities, bond with like-minded travelers, and eat some of the best food in the world. This is a unique opportunity to be immersed in Oaxaca's culture, beauty, and craft.

I’ve known Ana for years and her depth of knowledge for artisans and the region second to none. I have no doubt this will be an unforgettable experience and a memorable way to explore this part of the world.

This week, I am delighted to feature the second new collection conceived and brought to life by Maura Kroh Lall, the founder of Creative Women. Since 2007, she has been dedicated to cultivating sustainable partnerships with skilled artisans across Kenya. I consider her an invaluable resource for retail and wholesale buyers alike, particularly those interested in ethically sourced wooden home accents.

I am delighted to spotlight one of today’s hottest independent retailers. PORTA brings together European tableware and home furnishings, with a focus on local craft, independent artisans, unique designs, and everyday use.  I was delighted to interview Alice Russotti, one of the co-founders of PORTA, earlier this month. The brand she and her co-founder Francesca have created always surprises me in the subtle ways it pairs traditional textiles and ceramics with contemporary flair. It's an artful balance that’s hard to achieve, but they do it so.
 
During the interview, we chat about running a small business, sourcing inspiration, marketing techniques, and her favorite spots in NYC. Alice didn't hold back when sharing her insights and wisdom.

This month, I was delighted to interview Alicia Wallace. She is the founder of All Across Africa, which partners with artisan communities throughout Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, and Tanzania to create a strong and reliable supply chain for brands looking to source wovens and natural fiber basketry. I have known Alice for over a decade and am always impressed with her consistency, her dedication to material, and her commitment to using local techniques specific to different regions in Africa.

This month, I'm delighted to share with you another interview with Maud Lerayer, of Behind of Hill. I have been following Maud's brand for quite some time and what caught my eye was her focus on working with one artisan enterprise in Guatemala, and going deep with storytelling, and a focus on sourcing the highest materials that she is able. There is a story of people, material, and of course, her line of products is beautiful. Maud was born and raised in France but a journey to Mexico in 2003 was life-changing. That was where the seed to start her business working with artists in Guatemala and Mexico was born. She now has a blossoming brand creating contemporary textiles using a variety of heirloom color grown cotton which grows wild, offering gorgeous shades of pink, terracotta, greens, and more. She works with artists who still grow, spin, and weave the cotton, the same way it has been done for centuries.

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.