“It was over 20 years ago in Venezuela when I first thought of creating CoutureLab. I dreamt of the concept while I was running my first business but I knew the market was not ready for this new idea.

I wanted a company that would be committed to enhancing the clients’ individuality, as well as inspiring them by featuring the most creative products by global designers and artists. Usually these are less commercial and more expensive products because of the intricate work involved in each of them. The process is time consuming because of the handcrafted skills required to create each product.

This business would go beyond fashion and seasons, with a wider global reach that would bring together different cultures and lifestyles. CoutureLab would be a place where the stories of the products and the people behind them would be celebrated - clients could not only learn about the heritage and see the true value of it, but also fall in love and own a piece of it. 

For me, luxury is time so products that take time to craft should not be devalued. The physical workmanship hours, fine fabrics and the years of knowledge involved in creating such pieces is a luxury that we should honor. This is exactly why I avoid selecting commercial products for CoutureLab - each item should be embraced for its history, heritage or the limited distribution and production of the brand or designer.

When you visit CoutureLab, it is because you are a client like me – someone who can afford something beautiful and special; something that is unique and hard to find - often the pieces are limited by the handcrafted restraints that the producers are faced with. These items are expensive but, next season, their value will not drop and may even increase.

The key mission of CoutureLab is to maintain the value of human craftsmanship and keep creative individuality alive. This is CoutureLab and this is my vision of what luxury means.”

PS I decided that since many of my investments have been within the internet industry, a small percentage of sales made through CoutureLab would be donated to Innocence in Danger- an organization committed to preventing child exploitation which mainly happens on the internet. This is a way of protecting the children who are our future from online predators.