YLAI Professional Fellows Program, Class of 2016

Violeta Martínez studied graphic design and is the founder of the leather accessory brand, VAIZA. She designs products that are handmade by artisan communities of El Salvador and also empowers them to create luxury design pieces. Violeta has a team of artisans who only use local materials as a means to make a positive impact in their country's economy. The Salvadoran fashion industry is in its initial phase, but she believes that they have the quality that an international market requires. VAIZA’s goal is to become the first brand of internationally recognized Salvadoran designers.