Garayalde Design Studio creates sculptural leather accessories that blur the line between fashion, jewelry, and wearable art. Handcrafted in California, each piece reflects a dialogue between architecture, craftsmanship, and modern design, where premium vegetable-dyed leather and signature sculptural brass hardware become objects of enduring beauty.
Inspired by a personal archive of handmade brass buckles created in Mexico during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Garayalde reinterprets these architectural forms through a contemporary lens. Rooted in organic modernism, every design balances quiet luxury with functionality, celebrating exceptional materials, thoughtful construction, and timeless form.
The collection includes The Column Collection—convertible leather accessories designed to be worn as belts, necklaces, waist adornments, and statement pieces—as well as The Vessel Collection, a series of sculptural handbags distinguished by signature brass hardware inspired by the human heart. Each piece is designed to evolve beautifully with wear, becoming more personal over time.
Produced in small quantities by skilled artisans in California, no two hides are exactly alike. Subtle variations in tone, texture, and patina become part of each piece’s story, reinforcing Garayalde’s belief that true luxury is defined not by perfection, but by authenticity, craftsmanship, and longevity.
More than accessories, Garayalde creates enduring objects designed to be worn, collected, and lived with for years to come. As Garayalde’s collections continue to expand, each piece remains rooted in the belief that the most meaningful luxury objects become part of the stories we carry.
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Chantel Garayalde
“Meraki: to do something with soul, creativity, or love. To put something of yourself into your work.”
Designer and founder Chantel Garayalde approaches leather as a sculptural medium, creating pieces that exist at the intersection of art, architecture, and function. With a background in both interior and jewelry design, her work reflects a lifelong fascination with form, materiality, and the enduring beauty of handcrafted objects.
Garayalde’s creative vision was inspired by the organic modernist movement and a personal archive of handmade brass belt buckles created by her aunt in Mexico during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Reimagined through a contemporary lens, these architectural forms became the foundation of a collection that celebrates quiet luxury, thoughtful craftsmanship, and timeless design.
Handcrafted in California by skilled artisans, each Garayalde piece is created using premium vegetable-dyed leather hides selected for their natural character and ability to evolve beautifully with wear. No two pieces are ever exactly alike, and over time they become richer in character, developing a patina that reflects the life of the wearer. From The Column Collection of convertible sculptural leather accessories to The Vessel Collection of sculptural handbags, every design is intended to become a lasting companion—objects that are worn, collected, and shaped by the stories of those who carry them.
At the heart of Chantel’s work is the belief that true luxury lies in authenticity. Guided by clean lines, sculptural silhouettes, and uncompromising craftsmanship, she creates pieces that transcend trends and become enduring expressions of personal style.
As Chantel often reflects, “Courage comes from the Latin cor—to tell the story of your life with your whole heart.” This philosophy is embodied in Garayalde’s signature anatomical heart insignia, conceived by Chantel and brought to life by a master jeweler. More than a logo, the heart serves as the soul of the brand—a symbol of authenticity, resilience, and a life fully lived.
Just as the finest leather develops character through time and wear, Garayalde believes the most meaningful objects are those that accompany us through life. Clean lines, raw edges, exceptional materials, and artisanal craftsmanship come together to create pieces that age beautifully, carrying the marks of experience and becoming ever more personal. Imperfect by nature yet all the more valuable because of it, each Garayalde creation is designed to tell a story—one that grows richer with every passing year.