HerStory
As a young girl, I often frequented my grandfather’s ranch house in Mexico and would see small swallows or golondrinas nesting in the eaves of the roof. I envision these golondrinas flying about, delivering the beauty of Mexico to women all over the world. My first full-time job was working in sales for Oscar de La Renta, where my exposure to artisan work being incorporated into couture dresses fueled the idea for my own line. I founded Mi Golondrina in 2013 to share the beauty of Mexico with the modern day woman. I was Inspired by my mother’s Mexican heritage and love of Mexican art, I wanted to continue telling the story of Mexican art by preserving the traditions of hand-embroidery and empowering artisans throughout Mexico. Every Mi Golondrina garment is born in the small villages of Mexico, handstitched by skilled artisans who have been using these methods for over 200 years. Many of these artisans are able to provide a better life for their children and their families through the income they receive from the work they do, and we want to continue empowering these artisan partners and their children to sustain these traditions for generations to come.
The Origin
Mi Golondrina’s mission is to share the timeless beauty and traditions of artisan-made clothing with the world. We collaborate with various artisan communities, including San Antonino Castillo Velasco, San Vicente Coatlan, Chenalho, Chiapas, San Juan de Chamula, Hidalgo Yalalag, Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec, San Juan Colorado, among others. Our community utilizes its own specific technique for making its respective garments. Whether weaving on a backstrap loom, hand-pulling thread to create cut-out lace, embroidering flowers by memory or by pattern, the designs are indigenous to each community and are the equivalent of flags, representing the identity and culture of the people who made them. Importantly, since our inception, we have paid these artisans fair wages. This is a key component in our ability to build sustainable, lasting relationships with these artisan communities. We work with them to collaboratively design new, modern styles that showcase the traditional embroidery techniques specific to each community. Many of these artisans are able to provide a better life for their children and their families through the income they receive from the work they do, and we want to continue empowering these artisan partners and their children to sustain these traditions for generations to come.