This month, Annie interviewed with Marcella Echavarria and Kavita Parmar, who just wrapped up TEXTO, so I thought it would be fun to share a quick recap for those of you who were not able to make it. If you aren't familiar, TEXTO was a global gathering of artists and advocates for the artisan sector that took place this past winter in Mexico City. Products were sold from master artists and a lot of conversations were had on the current and future state of the sector.

When you first approach Alentejo you realize why Mizette Nielsen fell in love with the area. The landscapes of central Portugal are breathtaking. The scent of lavender, chamomile, and orange blossom fills the spring air. I made the journey to Alentejo this past spring to meet with Mizette just two months after she sold her business, Fabrica Alentejana de Lanificio.

This month, I'm delighted to interview Maggie Galton, the co-founder and art historian of one of my all-time favorite brands: Onora. Based in Mexico City, Maggie and her business partner Maria Eladia work closely with artisan communities throughout Mexico to create unique home items. Their pieces strike a delicate balance between innovative and traditional design without ever sacrificing cultural identity. Let’s dive in!

This month, I sat down for an interview with Amira Marion of Archive New York, a designer, and friend I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for years. She offered her insights on how she’s seen the industry change, for the good and for the bad. She sheds light on the role social media has played in instigating some of those changes, as well as what's working best for her business, where she’s struggled, and how to stay competitive in what has become a very saturated market.

This month, I was honored to interview Marissa Maximo of Anaak Collection. If you haven't yet seen her line of artisanal apparel, get ready to be swept away by her collections. They evoke ease and approachability. Marissa scouts the globe, searching for the highest quality craftsmanship and materials, presenting a chic, bohemian line of feminine apparel. Marissa shares her thoughts on how Anaak competes in the competitive luxury market. Our candid conversation includes her take on artisan as a luxury, her most successful marketing strategies and how she balances artisan and machine-made products to keep up with demand (her key to creating a sustainable business model).