Collaborative Design: The Story of La Luna
We design our collection in collaboration with talented Artisans around the world. Artisans use indigenous materials and traditional skills to create modern, fashionable designs. Today on Flourish, discover the story behind the La Luna, the luminous necklace on the cover of our Fall 2015 Lookbook.
Cristobal’s workshop is located in a village nestled between two volcanoes on the edge of Lago de Atitlán in Guatemala. Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The sparkling lake is surrounded by lush foliage, steep volcanoes and traditional villages. Many of the people who live in the communities on the shores of the lake are of Maya descent.
For centuries, the indigenous Maya people have been marginalized. During the Guatemalan Civil War from 1960-1996, the Mayan people were victims of human rights violations. To this day, most of the people who live in the hillsides surrounding Lake Atitlan live in extreme poverty.
Amidst the beauty and the brokenness, Cristobal is writing a new story of hope. Cristobal is an artisan entrepreneur. He is a talented designer who is passionate about creating opportunities for women in his community.
Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala with a group of Noonday Ambassadors to meet Cristobal and the other Artisans who make Noonday’s products. We gathered together on the rooftop of Cristobal’s workshop to listen to stories and ask questions – and to show the Artisans our new Lookbook!
Cristobal is the talented designer behind one of our bestselling bracelets, the La Noche. Cristobal dreamed up the technique and designed the bracelet in the middle of the night – which is why it’s called the La Noche.
Noonday customers love the La Noche Bracelet – and this is good news for Cristobal and women who work at his workshop. Our partnership is empowering Cristobal to grow his business sustainably and to create opportunities for Artisans in his community. As a result, these women are able to earn a reliable, sustainable income – often working from home where they can also care for their children. With their earnings, these women are able to send their children to school, to pay for healthcare, and to buy food to nourish their families.
At Noonday, our design process is about more than simply creating beautiful jewelry – we want to create a beautiful impact. When our designers began to dream up our Fall 2015 collection, they were inspired by the style and the story of the La Noche. Our design team collaborated with Cristobal to create a piece that translates the La Noche’s elegance and shine into a luxurious bib necklace. The La Noche Bracelet is made by hand with a unique double layer technique – and our designers wanted to bring this element into a necklace.
Johanna and Sarah started the design process here in Austin, Texas by creating a digital sketch of a geometric necklace that would be made with the double layer technique. Then they sent this sketch along with detailed instructions to Cristobal in Guatemala. Next, Cristobal created a sample of this gorgeous new style.
For several months, our Product Team in Austin went back and forth with Cristobal and his team in Guatemala until the necklace was just right.
We think the result of this collaboration is stunning – just take a peek at the cover of our new Fall Lookbook! The luminous glass beads in the La Luna make it perfect for adding a bit of glam to your wardrobe this Fall. It will also make for the perfect holiday party statement when December rolls around!
The La Luna Necklace is just one example of our collaborative design process. To design our new collection for Fall 2015, we collaborated with 30 artisan businesses in 12 countries across the globe. By fusing modern design and traditional artisan techniques, we bring you pieces that capture the beauty of partnership.
Want more inspiring stories about Guatemala?
Here at Noonday Collection, Guatemala is one of our favorite places in the world. We love traveling to Guatemala with our Ambassadors and witnessing what happens when they connect with the Artisans who make our products. This summer, Erin Weber, Brooke Van Groningen and Andrea Buck traveled to Guatemala on Noonday Ambassador Trips. Ready to dream up an adventure of your own? Discover a few of Jessica’s favorite places to explore and dine in Guatemala.