Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maria Abdala Zolezzi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Maria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
MAYDI was created in 2014, upon my return to Argentina, expressing my franco-Argentine culture. The first question I made myself when creating the brand was: what are the main resources that can be found in the country to create a brand that is 100% local?
I started investigating and discovered that Argentina is one of the major exporters of merino wool and other natural fibers. My purpose from the first moment was to create a sustainable product with a unique contemporary design. That is why, in MAYDI we don’t count with stock; each piece is entirely handmade, using local raw materials, opening the doors to the world, and showing the value of the pieces and encouraging handmade pieces made with traditional and autochthonous techniques. Along the way I found myself working with marvelous artisan women and weaver men. From the first moment they have always worked from their homes.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
MAYDI uses only natural fibers and organic yarns in her hand-woven fabrics.
The timeless spirit of each piece manifests itself in a 100% contemporary and refined design, carried out through ancient techniques of hand-knitting, hand-loom weaving, and crochet.
MAYDI believes in the principles of fair trade, hence her designs are developed and produced in collaboration with local Argentine artisans, assuring them fair remuneration and respect for the legacy of their craft and art.
Loom weaving is one of the oldest cultural traditions of indigenous and a clear statement of the importance of women as transmitters of life and culture in society.
MAYDI selects exclusively the finest materials such as merino wool of Argentine Patagonia —including merino hand-spun —, mohair, llama, alpaca, organic cotton, and silk straw. Argentine organic merino, from Certified Grass-fed sheep, comparable with precious fibers such as cashmere and alpaca for its softness, shine, and comfort, and is one of the principal materials used in the collection. Maydi is concerned with working with Merino wools that are backed by a production process which takes care of the environment, the well-being of animals, the land management and the development of the individuals and organizations involved in the entire value chain.
What also characterizes MAYDI is the search for new natural fibers, to include in its latest collections such as bamboo, hemp, and vicuña fiber.
Furthermore, since January 2019, MAYDI is the first argentine knitwear designer to launch a collection featuring Wildlife Friendly certified fibers, assuring the traceability and the integrity of the Merino wool from Peninsula Valdés, Patagonia Argentina (Sustainable farmers’ cooperative that is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society WCS)
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
MAYDI was created in 2014, upon my return to Argentina, expressing my franco-Argentine culture. The first question I made myself when creating the brand was: what are the main resources that can be found in the country to create a brand that is 100% local? I started investigating and discovered that Argentina is one of the major exporters of merino wool and other natural fibers. My purpose from the first moment was to create a sustainable product with a unique contemporary design. That is why, in MAYDI we don’t count with stock; each piece is entirely handmade, using local raw materials, opening the doors to the world, and showing the value of the pieces and encouraging handmade pieces made with traditional and autochthonous techniques. Along the way I found myself working with marvelous artisan women and weaver men. From the first moment they have always worked from their homes.
In 2018, a top made out of 18 merino wool from the Patagonia, Merino Peninsula Valdés sustainable breeder Cooperative, that is a member of the Wildlife conservation society in Argentina, under the Conscience Program. The Merino Peninsula Valdés is based on the coexistence between the ovine breeding for production wool purposes and the healthy population of wildlife. Through these responsible practices, the sustainable use of grassland in coexistence with native herbivores to protect the sheep using non-lethal methods to control the native predators. Without any doubt, I bought several kilos of raw threaded wool, and with that, the collection would be named VIDA Fall-winter 2019 and was presented in Paris in January 2019. From that moment on, MAYDI was the first designer to obtain a Wildlife Friendly certificate.
I feel it is very important to share with the user from where and who is behind the value chain. The added value that these fibers count with is that not only are they 100% biodegradable, but they also count with traceability. The MAYDI audience appreciates not only the design of each piece, but also who is behind it. I feel as though I am a pioneer in this path, because of the example that opens the local and international market in a new way of dressing, the way of conscious and responsible consumption. “The WFEN certificate offers a sense of seriousness, responsibility, and traceability of the materials, which is very important in the international market, especially in Europe and Japan. For me, as a designer, the communication to the audience about the origin of the fibers, its history and its development is essential. I bet on responsible fashion and the certification helps to reinforce this message. Also, it recognizes the effort of the workers when producing a friendly production with the environment, which also positively affects the regional economies.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Every day I am in contact with the artisans. I receive and choose the materials to be able to make each of the pieces andI think about the different collections.
The contact with artisans is vital to be able to carry out the idea of my designs.
I am constantly. in search of new raw materials to be able to innovate and create new pieces every season.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maydi.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maydi_atelier/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maydiatelier/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/72771339/admin/feed/posts/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/maydi_az
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9_Vvg6NBWtshsCi6P9V1Q
- Other: pinterest : https://ar.pinterest.com/maydi_az/
Image Credits
DANIEL CHEN EZEQUIEL INFANTINO LUCAS RICCI NATASHA YGEL FOR THE PORTRAIT