Calamarie

SPECIALTIES
- Fashion Accessories Made From Recycled Materials

On a trip to her hometown of Cartagena, Colombia, Catalina Lemaitre was inspired by the crafts she had seen at a street market and returned with a mission:  to empower women artisans, preserve tradition and promote cross-cultural understanding.  An entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for economic development coupled with her love for art, tradition, fashion and all things ethical and beautiful led to the creation of Calamarie in 2009.

Before starting Calamarie, Catalina worked in economic development and public diplomacy, including a two-year project with the US State Department.  She traveled to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and was able to experience the diversity in culture and art that these places had to offer.

Calamarie is named in honor of the indigenous people, the Calamari, who lived in Cartagena, Colombia prior to the Spanish conquest.  Carlamarie designs pay homage to the culture, arts and crafts of this and the many other indigenous communities across Coiombia, and the inventiveness and creativity of modern day artisans.  Catalina and Calamarie seek to present these designs to the world as functional, unique and wearable pieces of art.

Calamarie fashion accessories are handcrafted, making each piece unique.  They combine traditional art forms, techniques and recycled materials with contemporary design, helping to preserve tradition by introducing them to the modern woman.