Weaving Dreams: How Martha Medeiros Took Brazilian Lace to the World

You can’t think of Martha Medeiros without thinking of haute couture lace in all its glory. After all, Martha is a stylist responsible for taking the Brazilian tradition of lace-making to the world. Born and raised in northeast Brazil, Medeiros had a close relationship with her grandmother, who encouraged her to look at nature as an inspiration. She learned to sew as a child, making clothes for her dolls, which embedded in her a keen eye for fashion and taught her valuable lessons about aesthetics and creativity.

From the northeast of Brazil to the world

Martha Medeiros created her homonymous brand in 2004, but before that, she ran a famous boutique in the city of Maceio since the 80s. When she started her own brand, she did not doubt making artisanal lace an essential part of it. Shethen gave an outlet for her passion for the Brazilian northeastern culture that moulded her. Martha started selling to the whole world from her brand’s first boutique in Sao Paulo: her pieces were everywhere, from Bergdorf Goodman in New York to Harrods in London.

Nature-inspired designs for the modern elegant woman

Brazil’s diversity is part of what inspires Martha’s designs. The reflection of this influence can be seen in the brand’s fluid shapes, lace patterns and wide range of colours – from neutral to vibrant tones – that represent the richness of this beautiful tropical country. There is attention to detail in every part of creating the pieces. They are carefully structured, sophisticated and timeless, focusing on feminine and glamorous dresses. They are made for modern discerning women who seek exclusivity and elegance, from formal events to high-end casual occasions.

A brand with a purpose

There is a true commitment to sustainability and social responsibility behind Martha Medeiros. Something made clear by the project “Olhar do Sertão” created by Martha with the mission to truly transform the lives of communities from the northeast of Brazil. The project achieves that by building houses and artesian wells – which created a positive impact on the agriculture of local families – but also by employing 450 artisan women who craft lace using high-quality, responsibly sourced materials that are used in the brand’s pieces.