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Dear Friends,

Some stories begin with a single step into the unknown. Mine started with a journey to Chiapas, Mexico—a quest to discover the art of traditional hatmaking that would forever change the course of my life.

I remember arriving in Chiapas, surrounded by majestic mountains that seemed to touch the clouds. The rich aroma of locally grown coffee filled the morning air as I wandered through colorful markets, my eyes captivated by the intricate craftsmanship of local artisans. What was meant to be a short exploration of Mexican hat traditions became a profound immersion into a world of beauty, skill, and heritage.

It was here, amid the vibrant tapestry of Mayan culture, that my personal and professional lives intertwined in ways I never imagined. I met the man who would become my husband and my best friend—our connection as unexpected as it was transformative. The local Maya communities welcomed me with open hearts, sharing their ancestral knowledge of textiles, patterns, and the sacred relationship between craft and identity. Each day brought new lessons: how to select materials that tell stories, how patience transforms threads into art, how hands create legacy.

Matilda Gira was born from these experiences, but its soul comes from two remarkable women who inspire everything we create. The first is Matilde Márquez, my grandmother—a teacher, wife, mother, and a woman of extraordinary resilience. Though our time together was brief, her spirit has been my guardian throughout life’s journey. Her strength in facing challenges taught me that obstacles are merely invitations to grow stronger.

The second inspiration is Pomba Gira, the powerful Afro-Brazilian goddess known as the protector of women and children. She embodies what I wish for every woman who wears our creations—the freedom to celebrate her sexuality, embrace her power, and dance through life’s complexities with confidence and joy.

This duality of influence—one rooted in family legacy, the other in divine feminine energy—guides every hat we design.

Our collaboration with indigenous communities extends this vision. Working directly with the Embera Chami people of Colombia has been a profound privilege. Their beadwork traditions date back generations, each pattern telling stories of their culture and connection to the natural world. When these artisans apply their skills to our hat accessories, they breathe ancestral magic into contemporary design. Every bead is selected with intention and strung by hand, creating pieces that carry both personal meaning and cultural significance.

Matilda Gira exists for women who, like you, wear many hats in life. You are leaders in boardrooms and nurturers at home. You are dreamers and doers, artists and advocates. Our hats are designed to accompany you through all these roles—not just as accessories, but as crowns that honor your multifaceted brilliance.

As you wear Matilda Gira, know that you’re carrying forward a legacy of strength, creativity, and feminine power. You’re supporting indigenous artisans and sustainable practices. Most importantly, you’re part of a community that celebrates the extraordinary complexity of being a woman in today’s world.

This is just the beginning of our journey together. I invite you to wear your Matilda Gira creation with pride, knowing the story it carries and the future it helps to create.

With gratitude and celebration,

Mao Márquez-Nirkmajer
Founder, Matilda Gira