Today we’d like to introduce you to Laetitia Lopez.
Hi Laetitia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am born and raised in the south of France and arrived in USA eight years ago. I am working as a color, material and finishes designer in the automotive design. My past experiences in fashion, interior design or automotive industries helped me understand the manufacturing process of trimmed parts or products using noble materials such as leather. I am always looking for a way to reduce waste or gain in efficiency to reduce our impact on the planet. I realized that we have an opportunity to use the leather offcuts (and other materials) to save them from landfill. This is how this project came to life. I started to cut geometric shapes out of tiny samples and scraps to make Wall Hanging and then Jewelry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Time is my biggest challenge, LMNT is a hobby and comes to life during the evening after my son goes to bed. I love my full-time job and would not be able to work on my small business without it. I feel like those two feed each other, both creative, colorful and about materials!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I rescue mainly leather from the fashion and automotive industries to create statement jewelry and wall art using a woven technic, avoiding stitching or complex secondary procedure. Once the first few geometric shapes are assembled, it creates a 3d motif, almost like flowers. As I am using scraps, I do not produce a lot of jewels using the same leather type or tint. I see this as a strength allowing my customers to have unique or very limited jewels or art pieces. I love to play with colors and textures, often create gradients using the smallest leather leftover, allowing me to be almost waste-free!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I am lucky to be surrounded by artists, friends, my husband, family who pushed me to jump on this adventure. Always there when I have a question about how to run this small business or to help by encouraging me, speaking about what I do and featuring my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LMNTStudio
- Instagram: @lmnt_art
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LMNT.studio
