With over 130 years of history, Los Encajeros opens its first store in Madrid, reviving the spirit of its iconic Bilbao boutique.
Founded in 1880, this family-run company began as a warehouse offering the most sophisticated fabrics imported from Ireland, London, Switzerland, Italy, and beyond, and by the 1920s had become the go-to supplier for the most distinguished households in Bilbao.
Due to a shortage of dressmakers in Spain, Los Encajeros transformed the warehouse into a workshop for artisanal production, where they not only offered the finest fabrics but also began creating their own designs — including home linens, lingerie, and an exquisite children’s collection for girls up to eight years old. This marked the beginning of their era of traveling showrooms, positioning themselves as one of Bilbao’s most beloved suppliers and expanding internationally across Europe and the U.S., offering the best of Spanish refinement.
María and Mónica Mendoza, great-granddaughters of the founder, took over the business in 2005. Through their exceptional quality and craftsmanship, they’ve captured the attention of both national and international elites. Their demanding clientele includes not only European royalty but also some of the world’s most prominent families and figures such as Lauren Santo Domingo, founder of Moda Operandi, and British stylist and Chanel ambassador Caroline Sieber. These and other fashion insiders turn to Los Encajeros for custom-made homewear: from Swiss-embroidered tablecloths and Egyptian cotton towels to heirloom-worthy girls’ dresses.
The secret to their success, María explains, lies in the “quality of the fabrics, custom design, artisanal craftsmanship, and personalized service” — all of which have helped them weather economic crises and now open their first store in Madrid, right in the heart of the Salamanca district. The sisters also note that “modernization has been essential, with a prêt-à-porter collection alongside bespoke pieces, offering a range of price points — always with the highest quality.”
And that’s what truly sets them apart: “People are increasingly seeking the personalized — they bring us the color they painted their walls, and we create home linens tailored to that exact tone, exclusively and by hand.”
