Leather mask bags by Mexico City designer Carla Fernandez, inspired by Tecúan masks. Made in San Francisco Ozomatalán, Guerrero.

About Sandra

I am carving a path to expand my career to work at the intersection of culture, story, and strategy. With a background in retail and a deep connection to Latin American heritage, I’ve developed a strong interest in how design choices reflect identity, and how they can either honor or overlook the histories behind them.

Through both experience and study, I’ve seen how cultural influence often shows up in mainstream retail without the full story. But I’ve also seen what’s possible when brands take the time to be thoughtful; when storytelling is rooted in respect, and when products reflect more than just aesthetic appeal.

This blog is where I explore those ideas more deeply. It’s a place to reflect, to share what I’ve learned, and to highlight the beauty and integrity that exists when culture is approached with care. Whether I’m writing about artisan traditions, branding, or cultural symbolism in design, I am interested in what is behind it, and how we choose to carry it forward.

What You Will Find Here

This blog is more than a collection of beautiful things, it’s a space for intention, identity, and cultural integrity in design. Whether I’m spotlighting artisan brands, unpacking the meaning behind traditional techniques, or raising questions about what’s missing and what’s possible, my purpose is to bring more care, context, and respect to how culture shows up in the things we create. I want to ask better questions so we don’t lose the meaning behind what inspires us, and to help shift the conversation from aesthetic to origin, from trend to truth.

Here, you’ll find:

  • Stories behind the brands I follow and love, especially those with roots in Latin America

  • Reflections on cultural heritage and how it shows up in product design, branding, and creative direction

  • Insights from my work experience in product culturally conscious retail 

  • Commentary on the tension between tradition and trend, and how brands can create with respect even when working at scale

  • Visual inspiration drawn from artisan practices, architecture, and craft tradition and skills passed down through families over generations

  • Honest questions about How do we honor the origins of a craft in a modern product? How do we bridge the gap between tradition and trend? Can mass-produced still be meaningful? Are we celebrating the culture or just the aesthetic? What are we buying when we buy “inspired” design? Who benefits from the design and who is being left out of the narrative? 

Whether you work in branding, are building a product line, or are simply a curious consumer—this space is here to help you look a little closer. Because the most meaningful products aren’t just functional they’re rooted in story, memory, and the hands that shape them.

Mexican Rebozo, by designer Jesus Herrera and Gabriel Brandon-Hanson, Veracruz, Mexico

Why It Matters

This blog started as a personal space a way for me to stay connected to my roots and give voice to things I care about. The more I learn about cultural heritage, the more I realize how much is at risk of being forgotten, or misunderstood, when stories aren’t told fully.

Working in retail has shown me how fast trends move, and how easily cultural references can be reduced to visuals. But it’s also taught me that there’s space to do better. There’s room for storytelling that is both strategic and sincere, that respects where things come from and honors the people behind them.

This space helps me hold onto that intention. It’s where I ask questions, share what resonates, and imagine what a more respectful, story-rich approach to design could look like. I believe that even in a fast-paced market, authenticity still matters, and that thoughtful design can carry meaning, not just style.

Thanks for being here.
Sandra

Emiliano Godoy, a Mexican industrial designer