These days, folks are becoming more interested in the authenticity of their design – always intrigued by the craftsman behind the cutlery or the artisan responsible for the intricate weave on their rug. New online shop Maison Numen is going even deeper, capturing the stories of design from hidden spots in often undiscovered areas of the design world.
The brand's first project explores Latin America. From craftsmen in the outlying Venezuelan section of the Andes to colonial Mexican pockets, Maison Numen is sharing these native talents in a first collection titled 'Latin Animae Vol 1'.
The inaugural range includes textiles, woodwork and ceramics, all from Peru, Guatemala, Venezuela, Mexico or Colombia. The one thing they have in common: they are all hand crafted in their home regions, transposing their cultural characteristics on the unique works of art.
Having travelled themselves in collecting the designs, founders Jessica Macias and Ana Caufman strive to share the special culture of their featured makers, telling us of the difficulty they had traversing these locations. The Amazon river in Venezuela, for instance: ‘It's is all dried up right now,’ says Bader Gonzalez, Numen’s marketing director, ‘so you cant even get to it at the moment’.
Ordered into the themes of ‘Atlas’, ‘Story’ or ‘Materials’ on Maison Numen's website, each piece has a personality and character that relates to where they derive from. There is slight quirk in the Talavera technique and katalox wood that can only be found in Mexico, and a sense of meekness in the organic ‘Wii’ baskets created in the Amazonian rainforest by its female aboriginal inhabitants.
While a lot of these pieces remain traditional in style, a contemporary look is evident in the clean creamy ceramics made from Jiutepec clay, from Morelos, Mexico. The designers have rejuvenated the tropical material and transformed it into modern, minimalist design pieces.
‘We have grown with them,’ states Macias when we asked her which design was her favourite, ‘they are our babies!’ Maison Numen is launching a second collection, 'Latin Animae Vol 2', in September.
The collection, titled ’Latin Animae Vol 1’, comprises myriad wares from five countries. The one thing they have in common: they are all hand crafted in their home regions, transposing their cultural characteristics on the unique works of art
The inaugural range includes textiles, woodwork, and ceramics, all from Peru, Guatemala, Venezuela, Mexico or Colombia. Pictured left: ’Margarita Pendant Lamp’, by Studio David Pompa, from Mexico. Right: handmade rug, by The Mayan Store, from Guatemala
Ordered into the themes of ‘Atlas’, ‘Story’ or ‘Materials’ on Maison Numen’s website, each piece has a personality and character that relates to where they derive from. Pictured left: wood playing card box, by Taller Quigua, from Venezuela. Right: ’Talavera Combo’ ceramics, by Ana Gómez, from Mexico
These clean creamy ceramics made from Jiutepec clay – from Morelos, Mexico – evoke a more contemporary style. The designer, Luis Vega, has rejuvenated the tropical material to create a modern minimalist design piece
‘We have grown with them,’ states Maison Numen’s Jessica Macias when we asked her which design was her favourite, ‘they are our babies!’ Pictured: salad serving set, by Onora, from Mexico
Maison Numen are launching ’Latin Animae Vol 2’ in September, and then hope to travel the world finding more international treasures thereafter
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Maison Numen website
-
Tranquil and secluded, Lemaire’s new Tokyo flagship exudes a sense of homeIn Tokyo’s Ebisu neighbourhood, Lemaire’s tranquil new store sees the French brand take over a former 1960s home. Co-artistic directors Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran tell Wallpaper* more
-
‘I wanted to create a sanctuary’ – discover a nature-conscious take on Balinese architectureUmah Tsuki by Colvin Haven is an idyllic Balinese family home rooted in the island's crafts culture
-
‘Concrete Dreams’: rethinking Newcastle’s brutalist pastA new project and exhibition at the Farrell Centre in Newcastle revisits the radical urban ideas that changed Tyneside in the 1960s and 1970s
-
Mexican designers show their metal at Gallery Collectional, Dubai‘Unearthing’ at Dubai’s Gallery Collectional sees Ewe Studio designers Manu Bañó and Héctor Esrawe celebrate Mexican craftsmanship with contemporary forms
-
Tour an artistic Mexico City home by Giancarlo ValleAt an art-filled Mexico City residence, New York designer Giancarlo Valle has put his own spin on the country’s traditional craft heritage
-
One to Watch: Sofia Elias’ squashy chairs and mini-sculptures bring unabashed fun to the foreMexican designer Sofia Elias practises joyful, playful design to reawaken the inner child in all of us
-
Pedro Ramírez Vàzquez’s home in Mexico City is the backdrop for Nilufar’s contemporary design exhibitionNilufar and cc-tapis take over the iconic Mexico house of Pedro Ramírez Vàzquez in collaboration with Studio 84, for an exhibition held during Zona Maco (until 11 February 2024)
-
Masa Gallery launches inaugural Mexico City space with new solo showsBrian Thoreen and Mario García Torres’ solo shows (until 8 April 2023) inaugurate Masa Gallery’s permanent new home in the heart of Mexico City
-
World View: Letter from MexicoThe World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with our international contributors, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. Reporting from Mexico, writers James Burke and Molly Mandell examine the ways in which designers are supporting local makers and elevating traditional craft, avoiding distractions and focusing on the things that matter most.
-
It’s all in the process: Mexico City’s Archivo celebrates design and production
