Enrique Arellano and Libia Moreno, Founders
This Colombian couple settled in Mexico City 18 years ago and decided to add contemporary flair to the culture’s common utensils. Their Utilitario Mexicano store is teeming with handicrafts — coffee cups, carpets, toys, and more — reinterpreted to become collector’s items.
Enrique Arellano and Libia Moreno are Colombians. As a couple, though, based in Mexico City for eighteen years, they are some of the best ambassadors of Mexican lifestyle. Their store in the Juárez district, Utilitario Mexicano, showcases everyday objects, like coffee cups, mezcal glasses and tortilla presses. “These items are special because they’re indispensable. They have a basic design, but a strong identity,” explains Libia. It was almost by happenstance that the newly- weds discovered the down-to-earth beauty of local utensils fifteen years ago. At the time, Libia was in charge of tracking down handcrafted gems for a French design boutique. “I learned to love Mexican popular culture by walking around the stores in Centro,” she says. “Markets have always been important to Mexico: their energy and popularity are similar to Moroccan souks. I’ve amassed quite a collection of trinkets and everyday utensils over the years. In 2015, we had the chance to showcase and market these finds, articles that seemed almost trivial to the locals.” In a few months, their business began to grow, resulting in their opening the Juárez store. “It’s the right time to spotlight Mexican culture,” shares Enrique. “It’s fashionable right now. Anything that comes from here is ‘sexy’!” So perhaps it’s no coincidence that two foreigners are the ones pointing out the beauty of these utensils to the world. “Mexicans sometimes lack self-confidence,” Enrique continues. “They seem intimidated at the idea of proclaiming their pride.” Has this duo become more chilango than even the Mexicans themselves? “We’ve travelled a lot, but Mexico City is our home today. The city’s on the verge of releasing its incredible energy. It possesses a captivating kind of chaos that acts like a magnet. If you love this place, it’s always going to pull you back in.”
“These everyday objects have a basic design, but a strong identity”
