Marías, Solidarity Luxury Bags

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

The ex-beauty queen turned successful businesswoman has changed her life and that of more than 500 artisans in her country with divine accessories that you will already want in your wardrobe.

Former beauty queen Alida María Boer has changed her life and that of more than 500 Guatemalan artisan women designing luxury accessories with a long history. Discover how this Super Woman came to achieve her dream in the new section that we inaugurated today, the international women's day, and that you can also find in the April magazine that is already on sale.

You were Miss Guatemala 2007. How do you think your experience as a model has helped you when designing and creating your own fashion brand?

Being a model gave me the opportunity to be in a highly creative environment […] Being Miss Guatemala opened doors for me in my country that I did not know and that definitely had a great impact on me and [today] are the soul of [my brand] Marías. The trips to the interior of my country, to see these exquisite artisan techniques, to see the internal strength of the fighting woman who, despite being the center of her home and having a lot of work, dedicated so much love to her fabrics, that is where the seed is born which later becomes what Marías is today.

What is the story behind the name?

María is my middle name and when I started the project there were only 3 artisans and me. We all had Mary in our names. It has always fascinated me, I feel that it is a beautiful name, universal and with so much meaning. For me it is the perfect name since it not only represents the women who weave our textiles but also the woman who carries our bags.

What is the philosophy of your brand?

We reinvent the classics through the finest artisan techniques, creating unique pieces, which more than a product are a work of art. Despite being a relatively small country, in Guatemala there are a large number of techniques […] that have been lost over time and one of our main objectives as a brand is to preserve this art and craft heritage.

What is the huipil?

The word huipil comes from the Nahuatl huipilli, which means "my covered". In Guatemala, the huipil is the most important garment for indigenous women since it represents the traditions and customs of the Mayan culture. […] In them stories, legends are woven, they can be geometric, with human, animal or plant figures that have a unique meaning and the colors symbolize fundamental elements of the Mayan worldview. In the huipiles the history of a town is revived that for more than 3000 years has kept alive the art of weaving with ingenuity, expression and creativity. A huipil takes meticulous work in its elaboration so it takes from 3 months to a year to make.

Many brands subcontract the manufacture of their clothing and accessories, but you have your own factory. How did you make that decision?

It is very important for me to have control over the entire production line, from the material used in the huipiles, the sourcing of the leather to the art of assembling the bags. So I can guarantee our customers the finest finishes. And that is Marias, it is luxury, it is art, so attention to detail on each level is extremely important. We have 30 employees in our factory and a network of more than 500 artisans.

Part of the profits from the sale of your bags goes to social work, what kind of initiatives are those funds dedicated to?

The most important thing is a fair and decent payment for our artisans. Art, creativity, time and dedication have a cost and it is not a low cost, so for us it is very important to promote this art and transmit the work that there is behind a huipil. We also collaborate with a project called “Changing Lives” that provides food and Montessori education to 260 children in extreme poverty, giving them an opportunity for a better future.

Where do you think this philanthropic streak of wanting to help others comes from?

My mother has been a great example since childhood instilled in us solidarity and empathy. Also seeing closely the realities of many people in my country caused me a lot of shock and outrage. I understand that we cannot change the world overnight but we have to start in some way and for me one way of contributing has been empowering Guatemalan women and exalting the beautiful things that my country has to offer.

You are an entrepreneur, you care about keeping alive the culture and traditions of the women of your country … do you consider yourself a superwoman?

I don't consider myself a superwoman, but I try every day to be a better version of myself. There are days that I achieve it and there are days that I don't, but it is the nature of life. I want to set a good example for my son and be able to contribute my grain of sand in this world.

What women do you admire?

My grandmother and my mother, strong women and fighters of whom I am extremely proud. Of famous women there are many that I admire, some are Margaret Thatcher, Sara Blakely, Melinda Gates, Gloria Steinem …

What or what would be your best tips for Latino entrepreneurs in the fashion world?

Be true to your essence and work hard and constantly. Don't give up and don't let negative comments affect you and lead you away from your big dreams.

If you had a choice, what would you change about the fashion business?

I feel that the fashion cycle is going so fast that it is difficult to fully appreciate it. I would like it to be like before where there were two seasons a year. I would like the focus to be more on quality that transcends than on disposable “fast fashion”.

If you want to get one of their bags and wallets: mariasbag.com