¡ Holá! Discover Mexico

For a different type of buying experience, venture south of the border, down Mexico way. Though small compared to the major American trade shows, the Mexican Gift Show — Sede del Regalo — is a real treat. Held at the Hipódromo de las Américas, a modern, well-appointed facility in Mexico City, the show presents a rich, diverse offering of product in a relaxed atmosphere.

The show is divided into different colored sections according to product categories, making it is easy to navigate even for those not fluent in Spanish. Of particular interest to American visitors are Reflejo (jewelry and personal accessories), Diseño (design-forward merchandise), and Tradición (traditional handicrafts). Nevertheless, visitors should explore all areas of the show, because there are discoveries to be made in every section.

Mexico has a long history of artisanship, particularly in jewelry, metalwork, and ceramics — all well represented at the show. The Reflejo section is populated primarily by jewelry vendors offering both finished product and raw materials (beads, chains, findings, etc.) for artists and designers looking to craft their own pieces.

The traditional Mexican skill with silver was on display, with many designs that combined silver with pearls, beads, or natural stones. Pieces ranged from classic styling to high-fashion contemporary, and the area buzzed with a sense of fun. One exhibitor, Delia Gonzalez, attracted attention with Chippendales-esque live mannequins with their torsos painted to match her pink-and-white booth, modeling pieces from the line.

One of the more unusual areas of the show, Tradición, highlighted individual artisans and small companies that specialize in traditional handicrafts ingrained in the Mexican culture. Comprised of many smaller stands, the area had the atmosphere of a native marketplace, with a selection of wares ranging from religious items and candles to housewares and novelties, in styles ranging from ethnic and traditional to contemporary, whimsical, and design-forward.

Here, potters and jewelers crafted pots and necklace beads out of the region's rich black clay, using the same methods as their ancestors, yet producing an end product that fits with a contemporary lifestyle. In addition, there were weavers, tinsmiths, woodworkers, stone carvers, and papier-mache sculptors such as Abelardo Ruiz, whose dolls, doll candleholders, and other items catch the eye with bright, stylized floral designs.

Three festive archways distinguished this area from other galleries at the show. Each archway represented one of the fall/winter holidays — Day of the Dead, Christmas, and New Year's — showcasing displays of holiday-related product.

The design-oriented section of any gift show is a high priority destination for savvy buyers looking to see where design trends are headed. The Diseño gallery of the Mexican Gift Show is no exception, with familiar names such as German glass manufacturer Leonardo and American vendor Design Ideas, as well as many high-style Mexican producers. One of the most striking presentations was from Pretta, the company owned by Mexican artist/designer Yuri Zatarain (represented in the U.S. by The Phillips Collection), whose vision is beginning to make a strong impression in the industry.

Another exhibitor, Duartee & Co., makes chic storage boxes for home and office, as well as stationery items. Attempting to expand its horizons, this company has a growing U.S. presence as one of the exhibitors in the Mexican Pavilion at the Dallas Market Center.

Another highlight of the Diseño area was a section devoted to showcasing new talents. There, fresh ideas, good design concepts, and innovative products came together, showcasing everything from fashion accessories to stationery and home decor.

The other key sections of the show also presented appealing merchandise. The Decora section featured interesting home accents exhibitors such as D'Arri jr. (gossamer linens) and Aureum Art (museum-quality Aztec reproductions); wall art pieces from Papel Amate Otomie de Puebla were particularly striking. Amate, a traditional Mexican handmade paper, is molded and woven into extraordinary combinations of pattern and design. The end result looks more like tooled leather than paper. Mundo (World) showcased a large faction of exhibitors from Indonesia, among other international exhibits.

A trip to the Sede del Regalo offers the American buyer an opportunity to source product that they may not find at U.S. shows, product that will help set their merchandise mix apart from their competitors. And exploring the aisles at this show was a more relaxed experience, as amenities are sprinkled throughout the show floor. There was plenty of space to sit back and relax, and enjoy a beverage in comfort, without sore feet. The next Mexican Gift Show is set for January 17–20, 2006.