Nativa
One of a Kind Clothing Imported with Love
by Meredith Kay
Photography by Al Rendon
Everywhere you look in San Antonio, you will see the influence of Mexico. From the cuisine to the architecture, Mexican culture is ingrained in our identity. We celebrate the holidays, and embrace the lifestyle, but there is one local lady who is building a legacy bringing the most beautiful clothing, accessories, and household gifts directly from Mexican artisans to Alamo Heights and the rest of the country.
Nativa is a Mexican lifestyle brand and boutique created by owner and curator, Tressa Castro. Tressa was born in Montréal, but grew up in Cuernavaca, Mexico. She first came to San Antonio to allow her son to study English, and the family split their time between the two countries, eventually buying a home here. She would often host her son’s friends in Mexico and loved helping them find unique and handmade gifts to take home to their mothers. This is how her idea grew into a lucrative business. She was soon sought out for her beautiful clothing and accessories and found herself running a small showroom in an upstairs office space in the Stewart Center on Broadway.
In 2010, a jewelry store vacated its retail space, and she took an entrepreneurial leap of faith, opening Nativa and introducing the city to the most talented Mexican textile artisans. Nativa is a woman owned enterprise which contracts and works with female artisans all over Mexico. Every single item in the shop is hand-sewn and hand-stitched with embroidery and beading designs and techniques representing every state in Mexico. From the elaborate and colorful designs native to Chiapas, to the detailed pleating and fine stitching of the guayaberas from Yucatan, shoppers will marvel at the details as they imagine the work that goes into every item.
Tressa works closely with over 500 artisans across Mexico, and she beams with sincere pride as she describes, “Every stitch has a face to it. We empower women with unique talents, helping them to earn a good living for their families, and supporting the suppliers and businesses within their own communities. Everything at Nativa is made by someone we know.”
Although there are many hurdles to overcome when importing from Mexico, Tressa remains committed to her artisans and the authenticity of the clothing and accessories at Nativa. The business operates as a proud member of both the Fair Trade Federation and the Museum Store Association, supplying authentic gifts and accessories to museums featuring Mexican art around the world. As a Fair Trade business, Nativa creates opportunities for the artisans that supply the inventory, and in turn keeps regional artistic traditions alive.
Tressa states, “We are proud that every item is classic and unique. Nothing at Nativa is machine-made. Every dress, every pillow, and every blouse and shirt are one-of-a-kind items, and we are empowering communities south of the border to pass down these traditions to the younger generations.”
Nativa features a wide array of specialty items including apparel for women and children, guayaberas for men, home décor, and unique gifts for any occasion. The store also features beautiful holiday items such as embroidered stockings, holiday pillows, tree skirts, and table runners. You can even commission items to be made by the artisans in Mexico that display your favorite team’s colors, family names, and important events. Nativa is truly a unique boutique with a heart, offering not only quality clothing and gifts at a fair price to local shoppers, but also a fair wage to artisans across Mexico, allowing communities to thrive.
