Young luxury brand from Barcelona, Mietis is all about color, creativity and craftsmanship
A young luxury brand based in Barcelona, with its fun ladybug logo is a breath of fresh air among a sea of traditional designer bags. Mietis offers a quirky alternative without compromising on great craftsmanship.
Maria Fontanellas co-founder and creative director may have recently launched this brand but she hails from a family invested in the leather business. Her father is the owner of a leather production facility and you can say that leather is in her blood. It was after she studied fashion in Milan that she decided it was time to launch her own unique brand along with her father, balancing the best of both worlds with the family heritage of quality buttery leather paired with her penchant for creativity and design.
I had a chance to meet her during her visit to California, where we discussed, family, handbags and her nickname Mietis.
How did Mietis come about?
My father encouraged me. I was still living in Milan when we decided to work together and start Mietis in Barcelona. He is an amazing supporter and enthusiast for new things.
What does Mietis mean?
Mietis is my family nickname, my dad has called me Mietis since I was a little girl.
Tell us about the ladybug logo:
Ladybug in Catalan is Marieta and Marieta is the diminutive of Maria, that’s why we have a ladybug as a logo. The graphic designer who created the logo imagined that the ladybug was created by weaving threads. The threads symbolize craftsmanship which is a part of the Mietis DNA.
Tell us about the bag you created during quarantine:
We designed the Jill bag, it’s inspired by the 70s and it’s a structured bag with a stiffer and shinier cowhide leather. The Jill bag is finished with a custom metallic closure; the three hexagons that symbolize harmony and balance.
Coming from a family in the leather business did you know you will always be involved somehow?
I would say yes. I’ve always loved fashion.
Tell us a little about your family?
We are very close family, we like to travel and we love fashion. I have one younger brother and one younger sister.
How do you decide on these “happy” colors?
I love color. It depends, there are many ways I get inspired and decide on these colors. For me it’s important to first decide on the 6 keys colors and then start playing around and combining them.
Your favorite color and why?
My favorite color is green. Every shade of green is beautiful, it can be bright and sophisticated at the same time, and it goes well with a lot of colors.
What do you do when not working?
Watch movies, practice yoga and spend quality time with my family and friends.
Last book you read?
The Art of Having It All – Christy Whitman.
What perfume do you wear?
“Rose of no man’s land” from Byredo.
Tell us about the signature hexagon on your bags:
The three hexagons are a custom metallic closure that we created for the Jill bag. They symbolize harmony and balance. We designed this clasp with my dad while we were in quarantine at our family house outside of Barcelona. After all that was happening, I think we all connected with our spiritual side and we thought it was something we needed; harmony and balance.
Who is the Mietis woman?
She’s a strong and independent woman that likes design and appreciates quality. She loves color and is not afraid to be different!
What do you carry in your bag?
Lipstick, wallet, perfume and chewing gum.
What’s your first bag memory?
My grandmother’s Louis Vuitton pastel yellow handbag. It was so beautiful, I remember I loved that bag so much and was trying it on every time I was at her house.
What does a bag say about the woman?
Her style, of course. But apart from that it can say a lot about their lifestyle according to the size of her bag or the way she carries it.
Favorite thing to do in Barcelona?
Have lunch by the sea.
Favorite Spanish brand? (Not yours).
Loewe.
Future of Mietis?
Expand the brand internationally and start doing pop-up experiences around the world, collaborating with different designers and artists as well as start introducing new products.
Thank you Maria!
Mietis available exclusively in U.S. at Please Do Not Enter concept boutique located at South Coast Plaza.
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