Viviana Samudio

FOUNDER, COLLECTIONS BY VIVI

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Gables resident Viviana Samudio has always felt the need to give back to her home country. Though she hasn’t lived there in years – she moved to New York as a child and then to Florida four years ago – Samudio has traveled throughout Colombia as well as in other areas of South America. Her trips have brought her in close contact with street artisans selling beautiful handmade items, inspiring her to start her own company: Collections by Vivi.

Working hand-in-hand with now some 30 Colombian artisans, Samudio brings their pieces to the States, selling handmade purses, jewelry, candles, and other accessories through her brand at famers’ markets throughout South Florida. Everything is handmade, including the woven palm fiber purses, which catch the eye with vibrant colors and a range of adornments, and the jewelry made from mostacilla, tiny high-quality glass beads gathered from the coast of Colombia. Samudio, who enjoys living the “calm and peaceful life” of a Gableite now, is working on adding more products and vendors to her brand, hoping to eventually expand throughout Latin America.

LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

A boutique Collections by Vivi shop is set to open this year inside of Hialeah’s Tequila Town, an immersive educational experience showcasing all things tequila. In homage to the liquor’s roots, Samudio is working with Mexican artisans now to build a new collection featured in the mercado and throughout the venue. “Being able to help out a whole other country, a whole other people… that’s why I started Collections by Vivi,” she says.

WHAT SHE SAYS

“I would love to continue exploring South America and help people’s lives transform, along with bringing their beautiful handmade products here to the States,” says Samudio. “I definitely believe in the philosophy of quality over quantity, and of giving and receiving. Working with artists all over the world, I’m able to give and receive in so many ways. My strong foundational philosophy is being able to help other people, and the more I do, the more I receive.” – Kylie Wang