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CARIBBEAN EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AGENCY - CREATE
01CREATIVEDESIGN
Seedstosuccess
ERNESTO NEIRA & GLORIA PLATA
PLATA LUNA DESIGNS
BARBADOS (CREATIVE DESIGN)
01CREATIVEDESIGN -seedstosuccess,thedyeingart
The special method for dyeing this material was
preserved however and it is this safely guarded process
that would provide Luna Designs with a colourful recipe
for success and the resurgence of vegetable ivory as a
sought after item.
Luna Designs founders, Ernesto Neira and his wife Gloria
Plata, are not novices to the crafting of jewellery. When
the couple met more than two decades ago in Colombia,
Neira, a trained architect, was “a carver of jade” and
Plata, who studied law, was regarded as an experienced,
specialized artist. They would quickly realize a shared
passion for jewellery and collectables and together
established a line that was “non-traditional and very
fresh.”
Vegetable ivory is derived from the nut of the Corozo
(Phytelephas Macrocarpa) palm tree that grows in
tropical rainforests. “Harvesting the nut is harmless
to the trees, helping to preserve the rainforests,” Neira
explains. This contributes to maintaining a healthy eco-
system for these precious resources that are collectively
responsible for 28% of the world’s oxygen turnover.
NeiraandPlata’sharvestingofarawmaterialtraditionally
found in certain parts of the region and transforming
it with cultural knowledge, creative expression and
technical expertise have created for themselves a viable
business. This, Caribbean Export believes, is the power
of the Creative Industries—It’s ability to empower
creative individuals and enfranchise communities is
something the agency’s executive director, Pamela Coke-
Hamilton believes is, “transformational” The ability to
take our Caribbean culture and make a living from it
will continue to lead the way.
For Luna Designs, their ability to use the authenticity of
the Caribbean aesthetic makes a difference. According
to co-founder Neira, this is “very much a Caribbean
product, vibrant and colourful.” When preparing the
line for export however, they have learnt over the years
that necessary adjustments must be made for sales to
be realised. The primary markets for Luna Designs are
the United Kingdom and Canada. Both markets tend to
prefer a more conservative palette with the UK showing
a stronger preference for the subtleties of black and grey.
It is an important observation for the entrepreneurs to
note, as exports provide the vast bulk of business for
Luna Designs.
“It is to our disadvantage that we need unique visas
to travel to each Caribbean island.” While the couple
relocated to Barbados more than 20 years ago,
operating Luna Designs exclusively from this location,
they retained Colombian citizenship and must secure
visas when entering neighbouring islands. The tedious
and sometimes timely process is not guaranteed to be
successful and proves particularly challenging where
striving to travel within specific timelines for targeted
events. “Imagine it is harder to export to the places closest
(to us),” a limitation that hinges on the inability to meet
and establish partners and buyers in the Caribbean.
It is an area where the assistance of Caribbean Export
Development Agency has been critical Neira points out.
Caribbean Export has provided instrumental guidance
and opportunity for Luna Design to connect with
necessary regional associates. Along with the Barbados
Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC), the
agency has “identified the shows and exhibitions to go
to without great expense and helps us maximize Luna’s
exposure.”
Expressing a deep sentiment of gratitude for the support
received from Caribbean Export and BIDC, founders of
the multi award-winning Luna Designs noted their love
for participating in trade shows. The atmosphere of
being surrounded by other creative industry individuals
is for Neira, “like breathing in fresh air.”
Beyond the “fresh air” however, trade shows are a
“great help” towards attaining new and solidifying
repeat business for Luna Designs. The biggest challenge
is always the cost associated with attending. “The cost
to do one show is US $12,000 to US $15,000. We must
build a collection of product to showcase, then travel,
accommodation, transportation, shipping, it all adds
up quickly.” For a brand that produces a high quality
product range at a conservative price point, show costs
are often difficult to recuperate with “jewellery at US $5
a piece”. Caribbean Export helps to create alliances with
regional buyers, making these potentially taxing shows
profitable.
The opportunities are extended to the international
market as well. Through collaboration with Caribbean
Export, Luna Designs attended an accessories show in
the United States. A successful venture, the founders
returned to Barbados with 40 new buyers secured.
Speaking confidently, Neira states that this is only a
part of the task, “to maintain relationships we need to
go back repeatedly.” Frequent interaction with buyers
provides vital information across various areas, “previous
Harvesting of a raw material traditional ly found in
certain parts of the region and transforming it with
cultural knowledge, creative expression and technical
expertise have created for themselves a viable business.
Luna Designs exclusively employs
single mothers and during the peak
“high season” supports of team of
16-20 women.