Giving back to the world’s most talented—and underrepresented—artisans: That’s the raison d’etre behind this Los Angeles-based brand of exquisite furnishings and accessories. Designer Sami Hayek employs artisans in his native country, Mexico, to create unique designs using indigenous materials like barro negro (a dark clay) and top-quality woods with inventive washes and finishes. The look is fresh and modern, but, if you look closely, you can see references to the past and the undeniable influence of art, architecture and culture.

And the brand’s growing: Hayek plans to expand the company’s talent pool to other cultures worldwide, with the goal of creating a truly global design collective with uniquely elegant design as its common denominator.