Salvador Compañ: Bridging Mexico’s Heritage and Future Through Craft & Design

Salvador Compañ by Gabriel Magdaleno

In a bustling corner of Mexico City, where the scent of fresh sawdust mingles with the earthy aroma of woven fibers, Salvador Compañ is at work. But if you step into his studio expecting a designer isolated at a drafting table, you’d be wrong. You’re more likely to find him deep in conversation with an artisan or sketching while sipping coffee from a hand-thrown ceramic cup. His practice isn’t just about creating—it’s about connection.

“I’ll never forget when I first tried weaving a basket under the watchful eye of an artisan who’d been doing it for 50 years,” Salvador recalls with a chuckle. “He looked at my tangled mess, sighed, and said, ‘Let the fibers guide you, not the other way around.’ That changed how I approach everything.”

But Salvador is not alone in this journey. Along with his brother Enzo Compañ, he forms one half of the design duo behind Lørdag & Søndag. Though based in different cities—Salvador in Mexico City, Enzo in Mérida, Yucatán—their shared vision transcends geography. Each piece they create embodies a synthesis of their individual perspectives, yet feels distinctly unified. While this feature, captured by IRK Contributing Editor Gabriel Magdaleno, focuses on Salvador’s work in the capital, the creative synergy between the two brothers is woven into the very fabric of their brand.

Product Photography: Salvador Compañ

The Art of Collaboration

For Lørdag & Søndag, design is a dialogue between past and present, tradition and innovation. Before sketching a line, Salvador immerses himself in the world of the artisans they collaborate with, learning their techniques and uncovering the stories within their craft. “Design shouldn’t feel like a top-down directive,” he explains. “It’s about finding parallels—like reimagining a traditional flower motif with a contemporary twist.”

Enzo, though working remotely, shares the same collaborative spirit. “We exchange ideas constantly,” Salvador says. “Enzo brings a different energy, influenced by Mérida’s unique cultural environment. That duality enriches our designs.”

These collaborations often lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Salvador recalls an artisan who turned a design flaw into a standout feature. “Moments like those remind me that collaboration is a two-way street,” he says. This philosophy isn’t confined to aesthetic decisions—it informs every step of their process, from initial sketches to final prototypes.

Both Salvador and Enzo believe in giving artisans space to innovate. “We’re partners, not taskmasters,” Salvador emphasizes. Every artisan is credited in exhibitions and online, reflecting their commitment to shared authorship. “Recognition isn’t just nice; it’s essential,” he asserts. By amplifying the artisans’ contributions, they ensure their work gains visibility and respect on a global stage.

Salvador Compañ by Gabriel Magdaleno

The Challenges and Joys of Supporting Artisans

Balancing tradition and modernity comes with its challenges, especially in a world driven by deadlines. Timing, for instance, can be unpredictable. Salvador recalls a significant project delay when an Oaxacan village paused for the Day of the Dead celebrations. “At first, I panicked,” he admits. “But then I realized—these traditions are why their craft endures. It’s all connected.”

This slower pace, while sometimes nerve-wracking, is part of what makes their designs so special. Salvador and Enzo have embraced the unpredictability that comes with working closely with artisans. “We’re not in the business of churning out fast design,” Salvador notes. “We’re creating something meaningful, and that takes time.”

Despite these challenges, there’s immense joy in seeing younger generations engage with their heritage. “It’s about more than preserving a craft,” Salvador explains. “It’s about preserving a way of life.” The duo has worked tirelessly to create opportunities that make staying in artisan villages a viable, rewarding choice. When young artisans take pride in their work and see its value appreciated internationally, it reinforces the importance of their cultural roots.

Design House - Mexico City - Photography by Salvador Compañ

Lørdag & Søndag’s Signature Style

Blending Mexico’s diverse cultural influences with a modern sensibility, Lørdag & Søndag’s designs resonate globally. Their brand name, inspired by Scandinavian minimalism, translates to “Saturday and Sunday”—a nod to their philosophy of casual elegance. “We want our pieces to feel like quiet luxuries,” Salvador shares. The name also hints at their approach to life and work: balancing effort with ease, complexity with simplicity.

Enzo’s influence adds depth to their aesthetic. While Salvador draws inspiration from the vibrant energy of Mexico City, Enzo finds his muse in Mérida’s rich Mayan history and serene landscapes. Together, they create pieces that feel rooted yet contemporary, bold yet refined.

This year, Salvador is leading their Mexican Design Week collection, in collaboration with Xoxot. Using wood from the Mayan Train project, they craft sculptures inspired by ancient Calakmul glyphs. “It’s a way of bringing history into contemporary design,” he adds. The collection is not only a nod to their heritage but also a statement on sustainability, repurposing materials with care and intention.

Weaving: The Heart of Their Work

For Lørdag & Søndag, weaving is more than a technique; it’s a narrative thread that runs through much of their work. “Every culture has its weaving tradition, yet many are endangered,” Salvador notes. Visiting remote villages, he’s witnessed artisans preserving these legacies. “Basketry isn’t just craft—it’s a lineage.”

This philosophy shapes their designs, which often take organic forms, from trees to mangroves. Salvador recalls a moment of revelation while observing an elderly weaver in a small village. “Watching his hands move so fluidly, I realized weaving is as much about instinct as skill,” he says. “It’s a form of storytelling.”

The duo’s woven pieces reflect this ethos. Each creation carries the imperfections and irregularities that come from handcrafting, imbuing it with a unique character. “Weaving freehand forces you to relinquish control,” Salvador explains. “The piece evolves naturally, just like the stories behind it.”

Salvador fondly recounts a story of Claudio, a master weaver who disappeared mid-project to win a local hat-making contest during the Day of the Dead. “At first, I was frustrated, but then I understood—celebration fuels craft,” he says. It’s these moments, he believes, that make their work truly alive.

Why Traditional Crafts Matter Today

The Compañ brothers view traditional crafts as living histories. Salvador often references Ursula K. Le Guin’s Carrier Bag Theory, which positions baskets, not weapons, as humanity’s first tools. “Craft connects us to our earliest stories,” he muses. “It’s where our sense of culture begins.”

Enzo shares this perspective, adding that their work is about more than just creating objects; it’s about preserving and sharing the human experience. “Each piece is a vessel of meaning,” Salvador says. “It carries the weight of its origins while inviting new interpretations.”

Their commitment to storytelling through design reminds us that true innovation doesn’t erase the past—it builds on it. In a world increasingly driven by speed and superficial trends, Lørdag & Søndag’s work offers a counterpoint: design as a thoughtful, enduring bridge between eras.

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With each project, Salvador and Enzo invite us to pause and consider not just the object, but the hands that shaped it and the stories it carries. In every woven strand, carved line, and unexpected detail, there’s a reflection of their shared journey—a dance between tradition and modernity, individuality and collaboration.

See more from Salvador Compañ

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Photography by Gabriel Magdaleno. Discover More: Website & Instagram

Written by: Patrick Duffy

Digital Editing: Niko Koutsogiannis