Mónica Mendoza, a prominent businesswoman from Bilbao, represents the fourth generation of the classic luxury firm Los Encajeros. Her vision has taken the family tradition to international markets. She is a benchmark for good taste and haute couture for the home, with clients that include European royal houses and international celebrities.
Mónica, Los Encajeros has over 140 years of history. What does it mean to you to carry on your great-grandfather’s legacy in such a tradition-rooted company?
“Honestly, it’s an enormous source of pride… and also a big responsibility. When I think that it was my great-grandfather who started all of this back in 1880, I get emotional. For me, it’s not just about running a business, it’s about keeping alive a family legacy and a way of understanding luxury and quality in something as everyday as home linens.”
At Cayumas, we represent the handmade. What role does craftsmanship play in the daily life of Los Encajeros?
“Craftsmanship isn’t something from the past it’s the heart of everything we do. We don’t work in a rush or with mass production; here, things are still embroidered, sewn, cut, and pressed the old-fashioned way. And today, I think that’s more valued than ever.”
Both Cayumas and Los Encajeros share an aesthetic that honors the classic while still looking to the present. How do you strike that balance in your collections?
“That mix is exactly what I enjoy the most! For me, classic doesn’t mean old or boring. On the contrary there’s a timeless elegance in our lifelong designs that never go out of style. That said, we adapt the designs and colors to fit today’s way of life. It’s a constant dialogue between the past and the present.”
Is there an iconic piece from Los Encajeros that especially represents this artisanal heritage?
“Yes, without a doubt our sheets with embroidered trim are a true emblem. They’re one of those pieces that literally get passed down from generation to generation. Many clients tell us they still have sets they inherited from their mothers or grandmothers. We still make them the same way, one by one, just like they were made a hundred years ago. For me, they symbolize everything we are: quality, craftsmanship, and that traditional luxury that doesn’t need to show off.”
Is there a tradition or ritual in the workshop that has been kept alive through the generations?
“Yes, absolutely! There are many little things we still do the same way. For example, we have a small ritual: every time a special piece is finished, we always lay it out on the workshop table and admire it together. We also continue to use very old patterns, which we treasure like real jewels they are part of our history.”
What does luxury mean to you today? Do you think its definition has changed in recent years?
“For me, luxury today has much more to do with exclusivity, with authenticity, and with what endures. It’s no longer about having lots of things or showing off, but about surrounding yourself with pieces that make you feel good, that are well made, that have soul. Also, the ability to personalize them, to create something unique for each client, adds huge value. That’s luxury: something made just for you, with care and dedication.”
What has been one of the biggest challenges in keeping a century-old brand alive in today’s world?
“When you have a brand with over 140 years of history and such a strong identity, it’s easy to fall into the trap of not wanting to change anything but you have to know how to evolve without losing your essence.
For many years, everything worked very directly: people knew us through word of mouth… It was all very personal. Our biggest challenge was expanding internationally and taking part in exhibitions outside of Spain. That’s when we realized that what we did also had value abroad. Later came online sales, and translating that close, detailed service into a digital environment wasn’t easy. Today, our pieces are in homes all over the world.”
How important are shoes in your daily life?
“Very! Shoes, for me, are like the final touch that completes any look. I like to be comfortable, but always with something special. They need to have style, yes, but also be practical, because my day-to-day is quite busy.”
What would your perfect Cayumas be like?
“Oh, my perfect Cayumas have already been designed. I love the Pagliacci and the new collaboration with Casa López. I’d take them all.”
