partnerships
Maria Fernanda Paes de Barros is a designer, artist, passionate researcher of Brazilian cultural traditions and founder of Yankatu. With a degree in Business Administration and specialization in interior design and furniture design, she has developed several projects and collections in collaboration with artisans from different parts of Brazil and recently from around the world.
​
Maria Fernanda has developed her own methodology based on sensitivity, careful listening and learning from years of immersive travel and living in rural cities, riverside communities and indigenous villages. On the other hand, born and raised in São Paulo and a world traveler, she has a keen and comprehensive perspective that, combined with technical knowledge, gives her the experience needed to develop projects that align ethics, impact and sophistication.
partnerships
partnerships
Crafts are increasingly gaining ground, with their value and uniqueness being recognized, which is extremely important, but it is important to remember that they involve lives. Working with craftsmen and women cannot be seen as a passing trend or a new luxury. On the contrary, it is a commitment that demands a lot of responsibility and sensitivity. Our courses aim to broaden the perspective beyond crafts as a product, technique and tradition, encompassing the community and the human beings who keep them alive and who, among many other things, are also craftsmen and women.
