There is something so special about accessories designer and master craftsman Santiago Carballo his intensity, his discipline and his bubbling enthusiasm of the crafted pieces he is happy with . Also, the fact that he is still in love with the profession he's started 25 years ago, is an inspiration to us all.
Santiago's collection for GCMC designer Hipertrofico. The stripes glow in the dark.
So, it comes as no surprise that the most talented fashion designers in the Canary Islands go to him when they want accessories designed for their collections .
Glow in the dark stripes.
I am particularly fond of the AZTECA collection because I love how unique it is. And of course, as the name suggests, I love his interpretation of the ethnic vibrantly colourful ancestral world of the Aztecs. Last but not least, I just always get so excited when I carry a bag with an interior that is as equally beautiful as the exterior!
Beautiful blue of Azteca design with embossed interior .
I managed to ask Santiago some questions even though Christmas is one of his busiest periods.
Santiago, have you always wanted to work with leather?
Rather than choosing to work with leather, it was the material that chose me. I consider it to be a living material, every leather is a world, like people.
After so many years working with leather, what would you can say has been your most rewarding moment?
The most gratifying moment is being able to say that after almost 25 years in this profession, practically every day, I wake up with a "childish" excitement about going to work, and that, despite my experience in years, I still consider myself an apprentice.
Your shop is also your workshop and it is evident that you enjoy interacting with the public. Also, contrary to what one might think, when you make an order, you know exactly how long it will take you and the total cost. How long did it take you to get to this point in your career?
Being in direct contact with the public forces you to perfect the habit of listening. Overseeing production, ensure that I know exactly how to make each of the products as well as how long it will take. Day by day, clients make me mature as a designer, adjusting to certain briefings, and learning to tame my creative or artistic side, to be more in keeping with the target market or market trends. This process has not been easy, since most of the time I would prefer to develop my ideas alone, in silence.
A collection designed for GCMC designer Aurelia Gil.
I love the story behind your tees and the fact that you always look so colourful.Your philosophy is just like mine, especially when you wear orange, which is my favourite colour, and makes you look so debonair! Tell me more about your colourful tees.
Regarding my shirts, it's a long story! At first I did not have specific shirts to work in, but I hated to stain my favourite shirts, so I made some super practical black shirts with gold logos. However, I felt that while wearing the same black shirts in my professional life although very dynamic, it was also monotonous, so I decided to make them in various colours such as red, orange, green, blue and lilac, so that now, every day when I wake up, I choose a colour, I wear my belt to match my shirt and I enjoy the choice!
Another Azteca design