MAYDI: A Bespoke Knitwear Brand Redefining Sustainable Luxury in Argentina

In an era dominated by fast fashion, MAYDI stands apart as a symbol of conscious creation and timeless craftsmanship. Founded in 2014 by María Abdala Zolezzi, known to most as Maydi, this bespoke and contemporary knitwear brand celebrates Argentina’s rich textile heritage. It also embraces a global vision of sustainability and style.

“When I came back to Buenos Aires with all the background I had acquired in Paris working in the fashion industry for many years,” María recalls, “the first question I asked myself was what resources does Argentina have to make a 100% local product with contemporary design and that’s how MAYDI was born.”

That question became the seed of a brand now recognized for its ethical, sustainable, and luxurious knitwear. MAYDI is a bridge between her Franco-Argentine heritage and her lifelong fascination with natural fibers, design, and the environment.

From Paris Runways to Patagonian Wool

Before launching her brand, María spent over a decade in Paris. She collaborated with some of the industry’s most respected names, including Sonia Rykiel, Isabel Marant, and the Fédération Française de la Couture. Immersed in the world of high fashion, she gained not only technical knowledge but also an understanding of what true luxury means.

“My intention from the beginning was to create a conscious brand that showcases handmade products so that consumers can understand all the work behind them,” she explains. “I strive to highlight handmade items to showcase the craft. I work with both established artisans and some younger ones because my vision is to ensure the craft continues. At MAYDI, our approach is 100% contemporary.”

Argentine artisans handcraft each MAYDI piece in their homes. They blend ancestral techniques like weaving and crochet with modern design. This structure empowers local communities, especially women, and honors the rhythm of manual labor over mass production.

Nature at the Core of Design

Every decision at MAYDI starts with the raw materials. The brand’s collections use traceable, certified natural fibers that are 100% biodegradable. These include Merino wool, Mohair, guanaco, llama, baby alpaca, and vicuña, alongside vegetable fibers like bamboo, cotton, linen, jute, hemp, and raffia.

“The use of certified wildlife-friendly fibers demonstrates our commitment to wool producers as well as the work done by scientists with whom we collaborate to promote regenerative fibers,” María says. “It’s about preserving the ecosystem and the environment.”

These Wildlife Friendly® certified fibers are sourced from Patagonian ranchers who practice regenerative grazing. They protect biodiversity while maintaining ethical production standards. They also safeguard native species such as guanacos, rheas, and maras. Using non-lethal methods, they deter natural predators. This delicate balance between people, land, and animals is at the heart of MAYDI’s mission.

Colors of the Land

The brand’s color palette is another testament to its respect for nature. Using environmentally friendly dyes derived from Argentine flora such as tara, palo amarillo, guayacán, and cochinilla, MAYDI creates garments that echo the landscape itself. The tones are soft yet rich, embodying both the wilderness of Patagonia and the warmth of Argentine tradition.

“We generally use traceable animal fibers in our winter collections, while vegetable fibers are used in summer,” María explains. “Each fiber has unique characteristics, and that adds value to our fabrics.”

This thoughtful use of materials and natural dyes transforms each piece into a living object. It carries a sense of place, culture, and care.

The Meaning of Bespoke

MAYDI’s made-to-measure service redefines the relationship between designer, artisan, and client. Clients design each custom piece by selecting their preferred fiber, color, and style.

“At MAYDI, we offer custom-made pieces because they are unique, giving consumers the opportunity to choose the color, raw material, and style to be made,” María says. “This also raises consumer awareness. Furthermore, it eliminates stockpiling, which is one of the fashion industry’s biggest problems.”

This process not only creates garments that fit perfectly but also encourages clients to connect emotionally with what they wear. It’s fashion that invites reflection, a conscious counterpoint to disposable trends.

Pioneering Slow Luxury

When María started MAYDI, sustainability was not yet a buzzword in Argentine fashion. “We were pioneers because we believe that the fashion industry is one of the most polluting,” she says. “Fast fashion doesn’t provide transparency about who made your garment or how much that garment is really worth.”

Her vision was to lead by example, showing that luxury could be transparent, ethical, and local. “When we started several years ago, no one talked about local consumption or generating regional economies,” she explains. “At MAYDI, we are convinced that it is essential to educate consumers by example, showing the entire value chain. We want to be an example for new generations and new brands that are launched.”

By prioritizing traceability, artisanal skill, and environmental care, MAYDI has become a reference for slow luxury. Here, every thread tells a story and every stitch holds purpose.

The MAYDI Experience

Ultimately, MAYDI isn’t just about knitwear. Each bespoke piece becomes an intimate dialogue between artisan and wearer, between material and meaning. It’s a reminder that true luxury isn’t about excess, but about connection to craft, to culture, and to the Earth itself.

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