OMET: A NEW DESTINATION FOR COLLECTIBLE MEXICAN AND LATIN AMERICAN DESIGN
The new platform launches with a collection of luxury handmade designs that reflect Mexico’s distinctive culture and heritage
25 April 2023
Austin, Texas | April 26, 2023 – Launching on May 1, 2023, OMET is a new ecommerce platform that presents an expertly curated selection of collectible furniture and home furnishings by designers across Mexico and Latin America. With a unique offering of luxury, bespoke pieces entirely designed in Mexico, OMET is set to become the destination for embracing and discovering the rich materials, techniques, and traditions of Latin American craftsmanship.
Founded by leading Mexican architect Lorena Vieyra, who also serves as OMET’s Creative Director and Curator, the inaugural collection unites a collective of 11 designers committed to preserving the legacy of Mexican design. This includes the renowned sculptor Pedro Reyes, multidisciplinary designer Héctor Esrawe and industrial designer Raúl de la Cerda, alongside rising talents such as ceramicist Lili Cortina, and many more. Vieyra also introduces her first collection with OMET’s launch.
The name OMET is borrowed from Ometéotl, the Aztec God of creation. Each piece embodies the grandeur of an heirloom, having been produced in collaboration with local artisans to incorporate techniques handed down generation-by-generation. The 30-piece launch expresses the richness of Latin America’s local materials, with vibrant and colourful designs carved from lacquered volcanic stone, walnut, rose morada, oak, travertine, marble, onyx, fused glass and more.
Through design, OMET is illuminating the emotive and powerful stories of Mexican culture as told by the region’s diverse network of creatives. For example, the tripod structure of Pedro Reyes' Metatl Chair draws inspiration from the Mexican tool of the same name that is used for making tortillas, while duo Juan José Nemer and Mauricio Álvarez hand-carved wooden stools are inspired by a molinillo, a traditional Mexican whisk used for making a chocolate drink. Raúl de la Cerda’s collection Chaac (God of Rain and Water) features modular tables in Monterrey black marble, tikal green marble, travertine marble and red onyx inspired by the sculpted stone of Mayan estela.
Lorena Vieyra, Founder and Creative Director of OMET, says, “There is pride in Mexican culture and global audiences are increasingly interested in our art, food, and especially design. We have a lot to express through our heritage and culture, which is very emotional. As such, the pieces we design are unique, not only in terms of quality, but also because of their timelessness and soul. I see OMET as the umbrella that can showcase all this talent.”
OMET launches as a digital-first platform, with the brand’s first showroom set to open in Austin later this year. To celebrate this inaugural moment, OMET will host a pop-up exhibition during NYCxDESIGN at 345 Broome St., New York, NY 10013. Visitors are invited to schedule an appointment between May 11, 2023 and May 20, 2023 to view the collection.
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ABOUT
OMET is an Austin, Texas-based design platform that presents an expertly curated selection of collectible furniture and home furnishings by designers across Mexico and Latin America. Founded by Mexican architect Lorena Vieyra, OMET is a destination for embracing and discovering the rich materials, techniques, and traditions of Latin American craftsmanship. With a unique offering of bespoke pieces designed in Mexico, OMET’s expert curation, high quality, and personal approach ensure that each piece tells a story. Visit www.omet.co to learn more.
Lorena Vieyra, Founder, Creative Director and Curator, OMET
Drawing inspiration from vast international experience, award-winning architect Lorena Vieyra, Intl. Assoc. AIA, brings more than 20 years of residential and commercial experience to her firm, Vieyra Estudio, in México City. From high-end residential architecture to industrial, corporate, and hotel projects, Vieyra Estudio prides itself on delivering a high degree of quality. The firm has designed more than 50 projects varying in scale and typology and provides architectural, interior design, furniture curation and project management services. Vieyra has received numerous accolades, including the 2021 Noldi Schreck Award and the 2019 Firenze Entremuros Award–both recognizing her residential interior design work. She has participated in renowned design exhibitions in Mexico City, including Design Week Mexico, Zona MACO, Mexican Museum of Design MUMEDI, Fine Arts, Museum of Anthropology and History, among others. Vieyra brings a global perspective from her time at the renowned Atelier Mendini Studio, having the opportunity to participate in international level projects from Naples to Hannover, Germany. She completed her studies at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and the Instituto Europeo di Design in Milan, Italy.
MEDIA CONTACTS
For Global Inquiries: Liam Johnson, Senior Account Director, liam.johnson@camronglobal.com
For North American Inquiries: Bianca Buecklers, Account Manager, bianca.buecklers@camronglobal.com
SOCIAL
@ometdesign