Behind the Brand
Mi Golondrina
When our exclusive capsule from Mi Golondrina arrived in the office, our founders couldn’t wait to get it on their daughters. Here, we chat with Dallas-based founder Cristina Lynch about what inspired her artisanal designs.
- Photography
- Taylor Jewell
- Interview By
- Esther Adams Achara
For pretty dresses that pack a springtime punch, look no further than Mi Golondrina’s Mexican-inspired romper and dress, made exclusively for Maisonette. “I love seeing fine embroidery on children’s clothing,” says Lynch of the elaborate needlework that women in Oaxaca have been creating for generations, “It’s beautiful but also playful.” From ornate table accessories to flattering vacation-ready dresses, Lynch deftly combines feminine allure with functionality, which makes her the perfect host for our Dallas trunk show on April 13.
What led you to launch Mi Golondrina?
My mom is originally from Torreón, Mexico, so I grew up surrounded by Mexican culture. Our home in Dallas was covered in paintings from artistic communities, and she always dressed us in Mexican clothing. During my time at New York University, I noticed there wasn’t much in ABC Carpet & Home representing Latin America. It inspired me; so I moved back to Dallas and started working on a home-ware concept; the clothing line came a year later.
What’s behind the name?
Golondrinas are swallows — they are often featured in Mexican songs and poems. My grandfather had a ranch in Villa Hidalgo, Durango, and it was covered in them. The way I think of it, the birds are flying across Mexico getting to know different communities, and in the same way, the women from different communities in Oaxaca create different sections of our pieces.
It takes a village! What’s the process?
The Flores collection is made in San Antonino Castillo Velasco, Oaxaca. The pieces of a dress are stamped with an iron stamp and laid in the sun to dry at a workshop. Then they’re distributed to a neighboring community for hand embroidery, before being passed on to two more groups of women who do the smocking and hand-crocheted details around the neckline. These artisans have been creating the same designs for over 200 years!
How often do you visit? Any packing tips?
I go to Mexico once every two months, sometimes more. I always pack two pairs of jeans, my favorite brown boots and a blouse for every day; it’s very laid back.
Do you contemplate moving there?
Yes! I’d like to live in Oaxaca for a month out of every year. Also, when we have kids it will be so important that they understand and appreciate the culture.
Family is a running theme. Why is it such an inspiration?
I have the most loving mother; I cannot think of a more nurturing woman. Mexican culture has a strong sense of family — we’re proud to have life outside of work, but we also care for each other at work, and that warmth carries over to our brand.
So you have work/life balance! What do you do in your downtime?
My husband and I recently took a Spanish cooking class with my parents. We made gambas al ajillo with paella, grilled cheese steaks with prosciutto and olive oil ice cream. It was so much fun! I also love Bikram yoga; it allows me to reflect on any creative ideas that might be on my mind.
How did you get connected to Maisonette?
Instagram and word of mouth initially, but my cousin who lives in New York did the intro: She knew the merchandising director, Brittany. Thank goodness for that!
What was your inspiration for this collaboration?
We wanted it to be colorful and playful. There’s a dress and also a baby bubble with snaps that go between the legs; it’s one easy, loose outfit with plenty of room for diapers. Everything is decorated in the multicolored embroidery from our Flores collection and is cut from blue and pink gingham fabric — perfect for Eastertime!
What draws people to your clothing?
It makes people happy. It’s bright and comfortable. It’s not fitted, so you don’t feel self-conscious in it. It’s flattering and feminine. Also, I think people really love knowing what goes into creating products.
My mom is originally from Torreón, Mexico, so I grew up surrounded by Mexican culture. Our home in Dallas was covered in paintings from artistic communities, and she always dressed us in Mexican clothing. During my time at New York University, I noticed there wasn’t much in ABC Carpet & Home representing Latin America. It inspired me; so I moved back to Dallas and started working on a home-ware concept; the clothing line came a year later.
What’s behind the name?
Golondrinas are swallows — they are often featured in Mexican songs and poems. My grandfather had a ranch in Villa Hidalgo, Durango, and it was covered in them. The way I think of it, the birds are flying across Mexico getting to know different communities, and in the same way, the women from different communities in Oaxaca create different sections of our pieces.
It takes a village! What’s the process?
The Flores collection is made in San Antonino Castillo Velasco, Oaxaca. The pieces of a dress are stamped with an iron stamp and laid in the sun to dry at a workshop. Then they’re distributed to a neighboring community for hand embroidery, before being passed on to two more groups of women who do the smocking and hand-crocheted details around the neckline. These artisans have been creating the same designs for over 200 years!
How often do you visit? Any packing tips?
I go to Mexico once every two months, sometimes more. I always pack two pairs of jeans, my favorite brown boots and a blouse for every day; it’s very laid back.
Do you contemplate moving there?
Yes! I’d like to live in Oaxaca for a month out of every year. Also, when we have kids it will be so important that they understand and appreciate the culture.
Family is a running theme. Why is it such an inspiration?
I have the most loving mother; I cannot think of a more nurturing woman. Mexican culture has a strong sense of family — we’re proud to have life outside of work, but we also care for each other at work, and that warmth carries over to our brand.
So you have work/life balance! What do you do in your downtime?
My husband and I recently took a Spanish cooking class with my parents. We made gambas al ajillo with paella, grilled cheese steaks with prosciutto and olive oil ice cream. It was so much fun! I also love Bikram yoga; it allows me to reflect on any creative ideas that might be on my mind.
How did you get connected to Maisonette?
Instagram and word of mouth initially, but my cousin who lives in New York did the intro: She knew the merchandising director, Brittany. Thank goodness for that!
What was your inspiration for this collaboration?
We wanted it to be colorful and playful. There’s a dress and also a baby bubble with snaps that go between the legs; it’s one easy, loose outfit with plenty of room for diapers. Everything is decorated in the multicolored embroidery from our Flores collection and is cut from blue and pink gingham fabric — perfect for Eastertime!
What draws people to your clothing?
It makes people happy. It’s bright and comfortable. It’s not fitted, so you don’t feel self-conscious in it. It’s flattering and feminine. Also, I think people really love knowing what goes into creating products.
Any Mi Golondrina styling tips?
Just throw on a dress, put your hair up and you’ll feel put-together!
Six years in, would you do anything differently?
Talk myself into calming down! I remember crying, trying to figure things out, but that’s normal, and stress helps you build things. Now I say to anyone starting out, just go for it, and if it doesn’t work, pivot.
What’s helped you build a successful brand?
Surrounding myself with positive people! A lot of that has been my family, but now it’s my team. We want success for the brand, and we want it for the artisans in Mexico, too. Having that energy around you is so important.
Esther Adams Achara is a freelance fashion writer whose work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Vogue, and Glamour.
Just throw on a dress, put your hair up and you’ll feel put-together!
Six years in, would you do anything differently?
Talk myself into calming down! I remember crying, trying to figure things out, but that’s normal, and stress helps you build things. Now I say to anyone starting out, just go for it, and if it doesn’t work, pivot.
What’s helped you build a successful brand?
Surrounding myself with positive people! A lot of that has been my family, but now it’s my team. We want success for the brand, and we want it for the artisans in Mexico, too. Having that energy around you is so important.
Esther Adams Achara is a freelance fashion writer whose work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Vogue, and Glamour.