A couple of months ago I was asked to do a mini interview with Living Magazine in Argentina. I’ve been a magazine junkie my entire life (starting with my subscription to Cat Fancy when I was seven), and I never imagined I would ever see my own face on a glossy page. Dream come true! The interview is in Spanish but I’ve gone ahead and translated it into English below. Please forgive the rough translation. Trust me, it’s much prettier in Spanish.

Love For Latin America

The origins of her mother- born and raised in Ecuador- made the American girl Christine Martinez take a pause in her career as an interior designer to travel throughout Latin America. In her travels, she discovered “the most interesting and beautiful design work that she’s ever seen” and she decided that her mission, upon returning to Los Angeles, would be to make accessible the work of independent designers to the US market.

This was the way LAMA designs was born, a site from which she makes known the best of Emi Elias – “owner of one of my favorite stores in Buenos Aires, CouCou” – Cecilia Sonzini, Jimena Rios, and Lola Goldstein, among other Argentinean designers.

What is it that you like the most about Argentinean design?

The quality of work, their construcion, as well as the design. The Argentinean designers are not only looking to keep up with the rest of the world, they also want to transform themselves into leaders in the design community.

What particular traits does Latin American design have?

It is sophisticated and it speaks for itself. It is a well informed society and it is so exciting to see how a very strong movement, like the recycling of materials, is opening new paths and is being used in some of the most beautiful and creative forms that I have seen.

Thank you Living Magazine for this interview. I’m am truly honored. Also, to the incredible Argentinean designers who have read the article and submitted your work to me, thank you! I am so happy we have found each other! LAMA is getting ready to make some big changes and I’m thrilled to have so many of you on this new journey to bring forth Latin American design. I’m always taking submissions so please email LAMA at info@lamadesigns.com. Muchas Gracias!!