From the Founder
Patrice Wynne

In 2002 I moved to San Miguel de Allende in colonial Mexico, one of the most beautiful and inspired villages of the world, to create a new life for myself. For over 15 years I had enjoyed a fascinating career as founder/owner of GAIA Bookstore and Cultural Center in Berkeley, California, one of the country's leading independent bookstores. From the beginning I envisioned GAIA as a place where people could discover a wealth of resources and listen to author readings which would awaken, inspire, evolve, and transform their lives. During the course of our history, GAIA's author readings became legendary as over a thousand authors spoke on topics related to personal, and thus collective, transformation. Changes in the book industry led to the closing of GAIA, but the spirit lives on in the consciousness of people who benefitted from the books we sold and the lectures we hosted.

I came to San Miguel (I thought) to write my memoirs about my years as an independent bookseller and to photograph the fiestas and celebrations of the Mexican people. The quality of life in San Miguel--sweet, slow, spirited, sensitive, and sophisticated--swept me off my feet like no place I had ever lived before. Well, I still delight in taking photographs, as you can see from this website, but it seems that Guadalupe had ideas other than writing for my creative life!

While living in San Miguel, where images of Guadalupe abound, I was inspired to create a collection of Virgin of Guadalupe-motif clothing and home wares by my love for Guadalupe who helped me during those years following GAIA's closing. My devotion for Guadalupe is a love I share with the Mexican people (see my website article for more writing on Guadalupe). I created this Collection to express the spirit and faith of the Mexican people for family and community, for life, for Guadalupe. I chose fabric which is as celebratory as a Mexican Fiesta, full of color and exuberance.

I hope that you enjoy these items as much as I enjoy creating them for you. My vision in creating the Guadalupe Collection of specialty clothing and homewares is to bring the beauty and joy of Mexico into your life. Viva Mexico! Viva Guadalupe!

~ Patrice Wynne

Meet the Seamstresses

Helping the Women of San Miguel de Allende. San Miguel Designs works with local women to produce all the products you see in our store. Each item is an original work of art and labor of love for Guadalupe... made by the best native seamstresses in San Miguel, many of them impoverished women supporting their families.

Meet Maria Dolores Hernández Vilchez