Mercado Global

Mercado Global was started by Ruth DeGolia in a community of returned refugees in Guatemala’s highlands. Ruth wanted to help indigenous women overcome the severe poverty and oppression they faced by tapping into their heritage weaving skills. Since it’s inception, the brand has created jobs opportunities for over 300 indigenous Mayan women and helped to bring about empowerment within their communities, as well as fighting poverty. There is a story behind each symbol and pattern in every collection, just as there is in each huipil that the Mayan women wear, and black and white will always be found in the brands collections, representing the coming into the light and out of the dark for their artisans. Each MG piece is hand-woven and finished with subtle Italian leather, every collection featuring a variety of techniques from stripes, ikat, floor-loom brocades, embroidery and hand detailing done on a back-strap loom.