About

At the beginning of this year, I visited my parents at their home in the mountains of Ecuador. The locals there are known for their craftsmanship and dedication to handmade goods. During my stay, I connected with our neighbors, Patricio and Saira, who make their living through leather craftsmanship passed down through generations.

An idea came to mind: to design a few leather goods for myself. I began working with Patricio on these designs, and along the way, I became fascinated by the entire process—selecting the right cut and thickness of leather, finding reliable suppliers, developing patterns, and creating prototypes. Before long, I felt inspired to create a small collection of products to share in the United States, and that’s how Maki was born.

Maki represents high-quality, handcrafted leather goods made with intention—while supporting a family who takes great pride in their artistry. Patricio and Saira are not only close friends but also incredibly talented artisans with limited access to platforms that showcase their work.

By the end of my trip, I had selected a few types of leather, and Patricio began crafting the first batch of Maki goods.