Life & Work with Natalia Sanchez of West Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Sanchez.

Hi Natalia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been a maker for as long as I can remember. I grew up in South Florida as a first-generation Mexican-American, and being a quiet, observant kid, art became the way I processed the world around me. My parents immigrated from Mexico City to give us access to more opportunities, and creativity was always the thing I gravitated toward naturally — it felt like a second language to me.

Every summer I spent visiting family in Mexico connected me more to color, texture, and craft. Immersed in communities where artisans work with their hands and the tactility of materials, the storytelling element of textiles — those experiences rooted me in the idea that art can also be functional, and crucial to our day to day lives. That’s what ultimately pulled me toward textiles, especially woven ones, eventually developing a creative practice of my own in which I would experiment with natural dyes, printmaking, and fiber structures.

I later received scholarships to study Fibers at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where an entire technical world of weaving, dyeing, and material research opened up for me. Weaving and natural dyeing became the two practices that shaped me the most. I competed in several design competitions and, in my final year, creating my thesis, which was a wellness-focused textile collection for yoga rugs and pillows. In May of 2024 I was awarded a fellowship from the Center for Craft in North Carolina. This fellowship gave me the chance to dive even deeper into research around natural materials, woven structures, and personal projects I was excited to pursue.

After graduating in June, I used my fellowship funding to continue my research independently for nine months throughout Oaxaca, the Yucatán Peninsula, and Mexico City. I completed a textile residency, collaborated with artisan communities, and learned new processes rooted in cultural heritage and craft tradition. I continued designing through freelance projects and also spent time volunteering with young women artisans in Yucatán, partnering with Angela Damman founder of the Maya Youth Artisan Initiative by leading color and design workshops that aimed to develop the professional skills of talented young women in rural communities of Mexico.

By the new year, I was looking for my next endeavor as a designer, artist, and community-oriented creative, and was hired as a textile specialist at the Thomas Lavin Showroom in the Pacific Design Center. This role brought me to Los Angeles in March 2025, where I’ve continued to grow my practice and explore the intersection of textiles in the heart of industry and the luxury market for interiors. I came to LA for opportunity and was shocked at how quickly I fell in love with the invigorating energy of creatives, and vibrant culture that continues to inspire me every day – building my life in the hopes to one day place Mexicos finest makers at the global forefront of the luxury interiors and architecture.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve always felt extremely grateful that I haven’t had to face the kinds of hardships many others endure. As a first-generation Mexican-American, there were definitely moments that felt confusing or challenging—especially navigating two cultures at once. But staying deeply connected to my identity, thanks to my parents’ hard work and the privilege of spending long periods of time back in Mexico, kept me grounded and rooted in who I am.

Every challenge, even the subtle ones, has shaped me in a meaningful way. For many of us, there’s no linear roadmap for pursuing a creative path. Building a career as an artist and designer didn’t come with clear instructions—it came with pressure, self-doubt, and plenty of moments where I questioned whether the risks I was taking would ever pay off. But those moments also pushed me to grow, trust myself, and stay committed to the work that truly matters to me.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a textile artist and designer who works at the intersection of art, design, and community — but at the heart of it, I create from curiosity. From a hunger to learn, to explore, to feel. Each thread I choose is an echo of my passions: color, movement, culture, spirit. I create to express, and to connect. To weave my values, my joy, and my questions into something tangible.

My work is grounded in functionality and intention — thinking about how a textile will live, breathe, and hold space in someone’s world. But I’m also drawn to adventure, to the unexpected rhythm of color, texture, and touch. I believe design can be both an anchor and a spark — a reflection of stillness and vitality in the same breath.

Growing up between cultures, I’ve always been inspired by the ways textiles hold memory and identity. That duality shows up in my work as a blend of contrasts: traditional and contemporary, bold and serene, crafted and spontaneous. I see textiles as vessels — carriers of culture, emotion, and connection. Through this work, I want people to feel. To rediscover curiosity, warmth, belonging, and wonder. My textiles are an invitation: to breathe, to adventure, to return home to themselves.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a very curious and observant kid. I tended to be more on the quiet and reserved side, but that actually helped fuel my creativity—I was always watching, absorbing, and trying to understand the world around me. I loved spending time outdoors, especially in nature, I had a fascination with insects, animals, plants, and that sense of exploration really shaped how I see things today.

Art was my constant. I was the classroom artist, always experimenting with different mediums—drawing, painting, printmaking, digital media, and even photography. I loved not just making things, but learning about the thoughtful process of how things came to be.

I also spent my summers in Mexico with my family, and those memories had a huge influence on me. I was in love with artisanal practices, traditional crafts, and the rich culture that surrounded everyday life. It deepened my appreciation for hand-made work, storytelling, and the cultural significance of art. Altogether, those early interests helped shape both my passions and the way I live my life today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.casanatistudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casanatistudio/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nsanchprofile/

Image Credits
Hannah Erye
Michael Bankston
Camila Carrera