This October, the DLN will take Members on an unforgettable trip into the heart of Mexico’s artisanal heritage.
The sun sets over Oaxaca, one of the foremost destinations for artisanal design.
Oaxaca’s steep mountain ranges and azure ocean have beckoned generations of inhabitants over thousands of years. The state’s rugged landscapes helped preserve pockets of its 16 recognized Indigenous cultures during and following the Spanish conquest. This preserved cultural heritage has resulted in rich craftsmanship traditions and unique cuisine, as well as impressive examples of both ancient and colonial architectural monuments.
In recent years, Oaxaca’s reputation for craftsmanship has gone global. The state is now a destination for collectors, who travel to the region to witness the production of Mexico’s legendary handicrafts up close. Incredibly detailed, and impeccably crafted, Oaxacan design objects are as varied as the cultures they originate from, comprising traditional and contemporary woodcarvings, weavings, pottery, and more.
Following this October’s Design Leadership Summit in Mexico City, the DLN will guide attendees on an intimate excursion to Oaxaca that honors its architectural history, culinary innovation, and artisanal heritage. The trip itinerary prioritizes these three touchstones to foster deep knowledge of the culture, and, ideally, incorporate new resources and inspirations into their work.
If you’re considering joining us in Oaxaca, here’s what you need to know:
Converted from a colonial nunnery into an upscale hotel, the Quinta Real is an enchanting and unexpected venue in the state’s capital.
You’ll celebrate your arrival inside a restored 16th-century convent.
On the first night in Oaxaca, DLN Members will enjoy behind-the-scenes access to one of the state capital’s most unique architectural landmarks, a former nunnery transformed into an upscale hotel. Nearly five centuries after its construction, the building’s new owners partnered with Mexico’s National Institute of History and Anthropology to complete a painstaking renovation that preserved the majority of its original frescos and tiled floors. Expect to discover a romantic environment—complete with cantera stone facades, vaulted viga ceilings, and twilight-lit courtyards—that will viscerally transport you into Mexico’s past. Plus, you’ll have the chance to reconnect with DLN friends over a welcome cocktail and diligently curated dinner menu.
An ancient spiritual site, the Mitla ruins feature unique mosaics and engravings that represent the artistry of Oaxaca’s early residents.
You’ll discover the best known example of ancient mosaic work in the country at Mitla.
Originally settled by the Zapotec civilization more than 2,000 years ago, Mitla was considered a sacred burial site for the Zapotec and later, the Mixtec, who took possession of the area between 900 and 1500. According to local legend, Mitla was the gateway to the underworld. Today, the site’s impressive structures are renowned for ancient carved reliefs and decorative mosaics featuring precisely fitted stones, held together without mortar. No other archaeological site in Mexico boasts stonework designs of this caliber. To understand the culture behind Mitla, the DLN will consult with the local Hernandez family, who have generously agreed to share their Day of the Dead traditions.
As most weaving communities in Oaxaca exchange natural for synthetic dye, some artisans are working hard to preserve their history. Image courtesy of Cosa Buena.
You’ll get insider knowledge about local cotton weaving practices.
If you love textiles, you might want to know how some of Mexico’s finest quality fabrics are made. The Hernandez family has been tapped for both their deep spiritual knowledge as well as their artisanal prowess. Fifth-generation weavers, the family will demonstrate their expertise using backstrap and flying shuttle looms, a common method in this area known for its rebozos (shawls) and fine cotton textiles.
You’ll connect with makers whose families may have practiced their crafts for hundreds of years.
In the pueblos around Oaxaca, some families have been practicing crafts such as woodcarving, pottery, and weaving since the pre-Columbian era. Through a partnership with Cosa Buena, a local organization that protects cultural knowledge and promotes social welfare, DLN attendees will meet the artisans shaping the landscape of contemporary Mexican craftsmanship. And who knows? Like other collectors who flock to Oaxaca, you may leave the market with an object or contact for a future project—or your own collection.
You’ll learn about natural dyeing from a local family steeped in cultural knowledge.
Forty-five minutes outside Oaxaca, you’ll experience the artisanal communities within Teotitlán Del Valle, a Zapotec area most celebrated for its woven rugs crafted on pedal looms. Natural dyeing has long been a part of the textile production process for these communities, but in recent years, the tradition has begun to disappear, replaced by synthetic dyes that negatively impact health and environmental outcomes. Fewer than 10 local families currently use traditional natural dyeing techniques. The DLN has the opportunity to meet one of these families, the Ruiz-Mendoza, who help preserve local traditions and educate children about the negative effects of synthetic dyes.
With a menu rooted in traditional culinary techniques, Criollo offers one of Oaxaca’s premier experiences in fine dining. Image courtesy of Criollo.
You’ll dine on the best food Oaxaca has to offer.
Critics sing the praises of Oaxaca’s culinary traditions that combine Indigenous elements with contemporary flair. Savor authentic Oaxacan flavors at restaurants including Levandura de Olla, where the owner and head chef has created a menu inspired by her upbringing in the state’s southern mountains. On the last night, attendees will dine at Criollo, a restaurant helmed by Enrique Olvera of Pujol and Cosme fame specializing in local ingredients and creative takes on traditional cooking. Because Oaxaca is the birthplace of mezcal, you might want to indulge in a drink or two—which is why the DLN will bring attendees to Los Amantes, an artisanal mezcal distillery, for a taste of the state’s famous agave spirit.
To add the Oaxaca excursion to your Design Leadership Summit experience, please find more information and register here.