Interview about Raices Sustainable Jewelry, winner of the A' Jewelry Design Award 2022
The design of the Raices line emerges from the need to reuse thousands of oval cuts of new leather from a safety boot factory, discarded daily for having no utility. To reuse them, the designer focused on the search for techniques that would allow to find their greatest beauty and functionality, finding inspiration in the wings of birds, the scaled, staggered and overlapping. In order to expand the color palette, it was also decided to reuse leathers from other companies.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsMy perspective on reuse was shaped during over five years of collaboration with sculptor Julio Pérez Sanz, a master in the art of giving new meaning to materials. That experience sharpened my ability to see pre-existing forms as expressive resources. Later, I was commissioned by companies to revitalize their brand identity through the reuse of discarded pieces, reducing waste and creating new narratives.This approach is not only technical, but also a way of life—one rooted in valuing the object, overcoming prejudice against what is discarded, and seeking beauty in what remains.
Material experimentation is always the starting point of my process. In this case, the oval leather remnants—slightly different in size and density depending on their source—required in-depth exploration. Guided by a core belief that "geometry is to nature what grammar is to writing," I aimed to create structures that balanced organic fluidity with enough structure to be worn comfortably.The result was a system of layered, feather-like forms that evoke flight, vitality, and freedom. It was both an aesthetic and symbolic choice, making the design a bridge between nature and the human body.
No two pieces are alike—just as no two ovals are exactly the same. The manual processes of cutting and bonding are not just methods; they are the essence of the design. The irregularity of the material, its textures and history, demand a unique, thoughtful approach to each piece.This handcrafted nature makes mass production impossible and turns variation into a virtue, resistance into value, and usability into a design statement.
Argentina is internationally recognized for its leather industry, but it also generates high volumes of waste—up to 20% in some cases. Collaborating with local companies allowed me to build a circular economy network, transforming industrial leftovers into meaningful, handcrafted jewelry.The inclusion of diverse leather sources also expanded the color palette, increasing user identification and the opportunity for personalization in daily life.
Each type of leather, and each company, has its own properties, color palette, and target user. This diversity required deep study of the material’s characteristics—density, flexibility, and manipulability—to ensure structural stability, comfort, and durability.The challenge was to understand and work with these differences while maintaining both beauty and function in each piece.
Mayté Domecq’s pieces stand out for their strong visual language, evident handcrafted volume, and the ability to blend classic aesthetics with contemporary spirit. That combination makes them wearable in everyday life without losing elegance.Each piece tells a story—of craftsmanship, time, and the luxury of conscious making.
From the beginning, Raices was deeply influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, which merges ethics, aesthetics, and creative freedom. This ideology shaped both the brand and its development.Today, more than a decade later, I remain convinced that sustainable luxury lies in conscious design—working with what already exists, guided by intention and care.
In design, proportion is always intentional. My background in industrial design, along with a close connection to art, taught me to view every millimeter as part of a visual and functional composition. Each piece is made to inhabit the body, to dialogue with it, and to stand out without overwhelming.Visual impact arises from the balance between scale, proportion, and expressive intent. Comfort comes from respecting the body as a territory.
It has shown that waste is not an end, but a beginning. That material transformation is also symbolic transformation.Raices has inspired many designers and entrepreneurs to rethink how we value leftovers—demonstrating that waste can become the origin of beauty, and that ethical practices can fuel creativity.
Raices shows that it’s possible to unite luxury and sustainability without sacrificing beauty or desirability. Today, the industry is increasingly aware of how design enables better use of materials.True luxury lies in handcrafting, in the time dedicated to each piece, in proportion, and in the pursuit of beauty through experimentation.
Dive into a world of design excellence with our curated highlights. Each feature showcases outstanding creativity, innovation, and impact from the design world. Discover inspiration and learn more about these incredible achievements.
