Craft experimentation

Okoxal, a Mexican design firm that surprises Trending with accessories made from pine needles.

From Trending , the pavilion where Intermoda brings together fashion talents focused on design, there is a firm that has grown within the fair by betting on two paths: experimentation and artisanal love.

It's Okoxal , a Jalisco project that has been present in the decoration and fashion market for twenty years, through accessories, and has been in business for 12 years, mixing the flagship material that gives it its name (pine needles) with alternative materials such as wood, ceramics, clay, metal, crystals, stones and more.

Delia Lepe , its designer, shares in an interview the contributions that Intermoda has made to the brand, its creative process and who are the team that builds each piece from beautiful Chiquilistlán.

Okoxal has innovated by using a meaningful material. How did the idea of ​​designing accessories come about?

“In Chiquilistlán, where I'm from, there's a lot of forest. We decided we had to do something with that (the okoxal, the pine needle). My mother is a very visionary person, and she was always curious to see what else could be done. One day, she received a gift, a handcrafted product from another country made with a different natural fiber, so she thought about exploring the possibilities of okoxal.”

They're a meeting point for artisans and fashion. Who are they?

“We have two workshops, one in Chiquilistlán and another in Guadalajara (…) the majority are artisan women from Chiquilistlán, who have been learning over the past 12 years. They are people who, as housewives, single mothers, or young women, can complement their household chores and earn this additional income for their families. They know their talent is valued, and they can provide a better quality of life for their children.”

How do you connect your creative ideas with your team?

“Although we have collections, they are generally timeless. The first thing I do is unpack the idea, the inspiration, and the materials. Although the base is pine, we combine the pieces with different stones, metals, and Wixárika art. And with them (the artisans), we review the feasibility of manipulating okoxal, as it is a very noble material to work with.”

Your buyers find a handmade and unusual product. What feedback do you get from them?

"That is the main added value. Okoxal is an ecological and sustainable material, since We support the environment because we use the material once it's dried, meaning we don't disrupt the pine's life cycle. People really like that. Most distributors tell us it's very different from what they find on the market, a unique material and a fusion of other techniques."

You've been involved with Intermoda for years. What has this platform meant for the brand?

"It's one of the brand's main platforms. We've grown as an accessories brand and in our positioning; it's an important trade show for the market to learn about the brand. It's a platform that has allowed us to connect with customers across the country (Mexico), Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia, and the United States." 

How did you experience the process at Intermoda?

"I think the most important thing about exhibitions is consistency and presence (…) so that buyers see you again and again. Intermoda has been one of the most important platforms for the brand.

Anything else you'd like to add?

“We would like to thank the talent of our people, our artisans, and the customers who have trusted us and followed Okoxal’s lead over the years.”

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