CubaPLUS Magazine

Born seven years ago from the close bond between architecture and design, Textura has carved out a strong place in the national market. Beyond handbags, earrings, hats, and accessories, they also create home décor pieces such as lamps, doilies, rugs, and baskets, among others.

This has been possible thanks to the union of two talents: architect Liset Hernández Vázquez and photographer Shaldrián Gómez Peña. She runs the workshop and designs the pieces; he handles communication on social media and other logistical tasks.

“Working with local, noble, and sustainable materials was always a premise. We began with natural fibers within reach and, from there, built a brand that breathes Cuban identity and respect for the environment,” Liset explained in an interview with this publication.

“Transforming materials from our collective memory into something with a new purpose–a handbag or a lamp–was and always will be our priority. What drives us is creating beautiful pieces from natural materials that people use, because it gives Cuban craftsmanship visibility while also respecting the environment,” she added.

The materials they use are mainly natural plant fibers–rustic, raw, whose texture is the first connection with the body: what you touch, what you perceive without words.

For these young artists, the brand’s name carries a special meaning: “We chose it because it defines our essence–designing from the tactile, the natural, what needs no embellishment to communicate.”

“Our process is artisanal, without industrial machinery. We use natural biodegradable materials, in their natural color, without dyes or chemicals. We work with what the earth offers, without forcing it. We believe in slow, conscious production that respects both the environment and those who inhabit it. That respects design and artisanal creation. Each piece carries the vernacular, rustic spirit of our countryside and historic cities,” Liset said with pride.

But Textura does not rest and continues exploring new paths. They are currently working on a collection in collaboration with the brand Lu by Lucía Zalbidea, to be presented in October at Fábrica de Arte Cubano in Havana’s Vedado district. In addition to accessories, the collection will feature garments made from the same fibers they usually work with, contrasted with Lu’s colorful, stylized acrylic, which will serve as the collection’s core element.

“Textura is not just a brand. It is a way of doing, of seeing, of inhabiting design. We believe in what is built with time, with hands, with intention. And we are deeply grateful to those who accompany us on this journey, where every fiber has meaning,” Liset noted.

“In Cuba, there is immense talent across countless spheres, and at Textura we genuinely believe that good design can change a country. There is so much to be done, and it can be done with our own resources and materials–authentic, contemporary, and why not? Rooted in our traditions,” she concluded.


Contacts
Instagram: @textura.cuba / @textura.cuba_home
WhatsApp: (+53) 5386 8369
Store address:  34th Street, No. 114, between 1st and 3rd, Playa, Havana