Mercedes Salazar
Established · Under $200 · Bogotá, Colombia
Oversized statement earrings and handwoven raffia bags, maximalist Colombian craft that turns accessories into the entire outfit.
Think: tropical maximalism meets craft
The buy: the handwoven raffia bag
What to buy
the handwoven raffia bag
Categories
Occasions
Sustainability
Why Mercedes Salazar is worth it
Mercedes Salazar makes accessories with a sense of humor: oversized handmade earrings and raffia bags shaped like animals and blooms, all crafted in Colombia.
Everything is made by hand, by more than two hundred artisans around Colombia and a workshop in Bogotá. The raffia is woven over forged steel or welded iron, which is how a bag can hold the shape of a dog or a vase of flowers, and how a big earring keeps its form. Most earrings clip on and are finished with embroidered thread, crystals and gold-plated bronze, so the color does the talking.
Mercedes Salazar picks
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Is now a good time?
The sale pattern
From 0 months of sale tracking.
Something is nearly always marked down here, so there's no sale worth waiting for.
Mercedes Salazaralmost always has something marked down — there's no point waiting for a sale. Markdowns usually top out around 50% off, and we've seen 50% off at the deepest.
About Mercedes Salazar
Mercedes Salazar founded her label in Bogotá in 2001. Born in the city, she trained in artisan techniques in Mexico, and a fascination with pre-Columbian jewelry pulled her into Colombia's own craft traditions.
The brand became known for big, playful earrings and raffia handbags in improbable shapes, made with artisans whose weaving and metalwork skills it sets out to keep alive.
- Founded
- 2001
- Founded by
- Mercedes Salazar
- Based in
- Bogotá, Colombia
- Made in
- Handmade in Colombia
- Made of
- Handwoven raffia over metal frames, gold-plated bronze, crystals and glass beads
- Shipping
- Ships worldwide, free to the US over $250 in about 5 to 10 business days; any US import duties are paid by the buyer.
- Where to buy
- Mercedes Salazar's own site · Our Mercedes Salazar picks
What shoppers say
From reviews and try-on videos, in our words.
- Wear
Most of the statement earrings are clip-on, so pierced ears aren't needed. The raffia styles are woven over steel wire, which keeps the big shapes in place; small hoops and studs are the exception.
- Care
Keep raffia dry and out of strong light, don't crush or fold it, and store each piece in the pouch it comes in. Take earrings off before swimming, showering or a workout.
- Shipping
US shipping is free over $250 and takes about 5 to 10 business days. Any import duties are the buyer's to pay, and refusing them at the door forfeits the refund.
- Returns
Returns have to be requested within 5 business days of delivery, with the piece unused, so open the box quickly. Pre-order styles take about 20 working days to make before they ship.
- Demand
Its earrings have been worn by Katy Perry, Sofía Vergara and Margherita Missoni; Perry found hers on a trip to Colombia.
How we'd wear Mercedes Salazar
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Mercedes Salazar in our edits
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Mercedes Salazar, answered
- What is Mercedes Salazar?
- Mercedes Salazar is a Colombian accessories label known for oversized, colorful statement earrings and handwoven raffia handbags in playful shapes, all handmade in Colombia.
- Is Mercedes Salazar a good brand?
- Yes. We like it for accessories with real personality and real craft: every piece is handmade by Colombian artisans, the raffia is woven over metal frames so the shapes hold, and its earrings have been worn by Katy Perry and Sofía Vergara.
- Who founded Mercedes Salazar?
- Designer Mercedes Salazar founded the brand in Bogotá in 2001.
- Where is Mercedes Salazar from?
- Bogotá, Colombia.
- What is Mercedes Salazar made of?
- Mostly handwoven raffia over steel or iron frames, with gold-plated bronze, crystals and glass beads. Its everyday market bags are woven from recycled PET instead.
- Where are Mercedes Salazar pieces made?
- In Colombia, by more than 200 artisans around the country and in the brand's own Bogotá workshop.
- Are Mercedes Salazar earrings clip-on?
- Most of the statement styles are clip-on, so they work without pierced ears. Small hoops and studs are the exception.
- Does Mercedes Salazar ship to the US?
- Yes. Shipping is free on US orders over $250 and takes about 5 to 10 business days; any import duties are paid by the buyer.
- Where can I buy Mercedes Salazar?
- On the brand's own site, or through our Mercedes Salazar picks.
- When does Mercedes Salazar go on sale?
- Something at Mercedes Salazar is almost always marked down, so there is no big seasonal sale worth holding out for.
- How much does Mercedes Salazar discount?
- Their sale emails consistently advertise about 50% off. We have not measured it on the rack.
- Which brands are like Mercedes Salazar?
- If you like Mercedes Salazar, look at Bamboleira, Maria La Rosa, Lizzie Fortunato and Intentionally Blank.