HISTORY
Los Encajeros is a family business founded in Bilbao – 1880 – by Manuel Mendoza Miranda. In the midst of the 19th century, his parents crossed the border between Fermoselle (a little village in Zamora) and Portugal to buy Dutch lace mantillas to sell among their Spanish neighbours.
In 1880, at just sixteen years old, he decided to move to Bilbao in search of the prosperity that the Basque industry had to offer.
It’s in Bilbao, capital of the Basque Country, where he established an atelier and store of high end lingerie under the name of “Los Encajeros”. That first store was located in Calle Banco de España, 4, heart of the old area in Bilbao. It is right there where everything started and our history began.
In 1930 his descendants decided to expand the business, opening two new stores, one in “El Ensanche” and another one in “Las Arenas”.
Los Encajeros was proud to be a total basque brand.
In 1958, the generational succession continued its course and the founder’s grandson Jose Manuel Mendoza at 19 years old, took over one of the stores.
After a while, Jose Manues realised he was not cut out to work behind the counter so he began travelling all around Spain selling his luxurious products ( sheets, textiles imported from Switzerland, England or Belgium etc). During these trips, he realized his products are very much welcome and appreciated away from Bilbao and began showing them in other cities and countries.
Since 2005 the brand has been led by the family’s 4th generation, Los Encajeros focused on its international expansion. With major welcoming in Europe, Canada, EEUU and South America.
A 140 years history that is still knitting at the path of sewing machines and seamstresses.
