I first came to Danilos as a stranger, accompanied by a close family friend: “Let’s go visit a group of friends we rarely get to see when they have free time,” she told me. My sporadic visits gradually led me to become involved in the creative process of this family business. One ordinary day, as I shared my opinion, they began to involve me in day-to-day operations, letting me participate in photo shoots and the approval of graphic designs—and this led to the great joy of meeting Don Danilo Martínez in person in his private yet welcoming world. How could I forget the day I had the opportunity to work with Don Danilo Martínez on an idea for creating braided pendants for a handbag in the Spring 2013 collection? As we worked together and I explained the process behind my idea, Don Danilo told me, “You’re a craftsman.” I was flattered that Don Danilo would say something like that to me, and even more fortunate to be able to say that I met him in person and that my introduction to the world of fine leather goods took place at the production facility of his successful Honduran company, Danilos Pura Piel.
