It’s no secret that the Leo&Migue furniture brand is a safe choice for consumers. The brand is distinguished within the Cuban market for its elegant, comfortable and durable products.
Naturally, the furniture presented today differs from that of its beginnings. The brand now has its distinctive stamp - a minimalist style, with elegant and smooth contours.
Speaking to this publication from his gallery in Havana’s Vedado district, Leo (Leonides Castro) stated that ergonomics is another aspect that distinguishes the brand, in all its furniture manufacturing. “This allows the consumer to feel comfortable. We reject orthopedic, rigid furniture, which does not adjust to the spine itself.”
The gallery, which opened a year ago, allows consumers to appreciate the Leo&Migue brand, with updated catalogs on display, together with the permanent exhibition.
For these craftsman-artists, the two annual fairs of the Cuban Cultural Goods Fund (FCBC) in which they participate – Arte para mama, in May, and the International Crafts Fair, in December – atwhich “the group presents eight to ten different models and styles,” are very important as they allow for direct contact with buyers, Migue (Miguel Alfredo Rodríguez) explains.
The two believe they already have “a brand, a way, a style that has established itself due to the quality, durability, and a commitment we have made to achieve what is called excellence in the execution and manufacturing of furniture.”
A HALLMARK OF QUALITY AND ORIGINALITY
Let us consider this brand...
“When we make furniture we try at the same time to ensure that a synergy prevails, that there is similarity and a combination between a dining room set, a bed, a living room set. That they aren’t disparate styles, they all have a common thread, so that when a person furnishes their home or a hotel a lobby or a room, the elements that make up that home, that lobby, share a resemblance.”
Leo and Migue have a similar background. Both come from small towns, the first is from Banes (in the province of Holguín), and the second from Esmeralda (in Camagüey), both in the eastern part of the island. Both families moved very early to Havana.
Leo relates, “Beginning in 1980, I realized I had manual skills and I started working on some things related to handicrafts,” using bamboo (chairs, sofas), fibers (baskets) and clay (plates, pots). Migue recalls that he was inquisitive from a young age, “The same training process as Leo. As a child I paid attention to how motorcycle and car seats were upholstered.”
They met in 1995. “Leo was already making furniture,” Migue notes, “and we happened to meet, we empathized with each other. What most interested us was the creation, to make a good product, rather than the economic aspect, which is important, but not the main objective. There are other values such as friendship, ethics, the most beautiful things in life.” When both joined the FCBC, their partnership became official.
You are a successful brand...
“We have recently reached a high stage of development and we are very confident about the future, we believe that the country has great potential. They are providing us with more possibilities in the supply of raw materials, including imports, and that puts us in a very good position in the market.”
AN EXPANDING MARKET
Let’s talk about the market and prices...
“As we said we have become well known at the fairs. There is great publicity there. Some keep our cards, and when they have an occasion and the money, they visit us. The sale is personalized. We have a very wide variety of furniture, of different prices, we always look to be flexible with people, according to their possibilities, and we are ready to listen to them and reach a happy outcome. We have important contracts with hotels (Cohiba, Habana Libre, and others in Varadero), companies, institutions (ICAIC, National Ballet, ICRT) and several ministries.”
Have you thought about expanding outside of Cuba?
“Yes. We are seriously considering the possibility of exports. We know that our furniture is of great quality and can now compete in the international market. We have visited several countries and believe that most of the furniture sold is made to last a year or two and we still have the approach that it should be durable, lasting for 20-30 years.”
What wood do you use?
“Generally pine, mahoe and also imported timber. Cuba is a country that was deforested before the revolution. In Santiago de Cuba for example, there was a company, the Babún, that virtually destroyed the forests of eastern Cuba and we are still paying for the damage they caused.”
You are also identified by the use of color...
“About five years ago we first launched our black and white range on the market, with living and dining room sets and beds. Later we saw other producers follow along the same lines and we took on the task of starting to differentiate ourselves. We still have the black and white range but we have added other colors. This depends on the fabric that is popular in the market. Large companies for time to time launch new fabrics onto the market that captivate and one has to keep up. One must incorporate these.”
What are you working on now?
“We are working with different types of fabric and color ranging from purple, to lilac, and pastel colors, a variety. There is no fixed color for furniture on the market now. We recommend light colors for small premises.”
These craftsman-artists have a particular hallmark. With over 20 years working together they share a similar creative process. “We have a common language and complement each other, we always work together on the model and the manufacture of the furniture.”
Leo&Migue, a brand that represents elegance, contemporary style, and excellence in the execution and manufacturing of furniture.
