Akra

Since young, Samuray Martins recalls being in touch with the local artisan culture. His family moved around Brazil quite often, and Samuray's mom would integrate herself into every new town by developing community initiatives, many of which revolved around crafting. He left Brazil for Belgium, obtained a Biology degree, and began working as a buyer, sourcing tweed and straw for major fashion brands. Through this job, he began working with communities in Madagascar that had 3 generations of experience with handcrafting beautiful straw goods. As he sold these Madagascar-made crafts to renowned brands like Isabel Marant, Agnès B, and Vix, Samuray noticed that there was no Brazil-based brand focused on developing and commercializing Brazil's very own unique straw products. Awoken by the possibility of this opportunity and by his creative instinct, Samuray decided to begin his own brand.