Mastering The Mathematics Of Leather

Luxury Bag Designer Mai Mai Cojuangco Reveals That More Than Art, There Is Intricate Math and Science Behind the Making of a Leather Bag.

- Jovi Figueroa

THE PERFECT HARMONY BETWEEN FORM AND FUNCTION —that’s what makes a good, quality, luxury bag. And to achieve that, Margarita Demetria “Mai Mai” Cojuangco-Zini spent years to master the art and math of leather design, and marry the concepts to create bags that will work around what you need, and not the other way around.

“I, as a mother and entrepreneur, like many other women, want to carry something beautiful and not have to compromise what I need. That’s why as a designer, I always say, ‘Create the things you wish existed,’” Mai Mai says about the concept behind the bags under the Demetria brand.

After spending decades of education and experience to master her craft, the Demetria brand was born—almost literally, Mai Mai says, as it was almost a child she carried for so long and have given birth to, finally. It was the culmination of her talents and the dream she long sought for.

A JOURNEY WELL-MADE

Like all journeys, it all starts with a young Mai Mai, fourth daughter of Jose “Peping” and Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, and sister to known stylish muses Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworksi and China Cojuangco-Gonzalez. Growing up in a family that celebrated culture and sophisticated taste, she was able to develop an eye for fine things and cultivate her creativity at an early age.

In school, like most creative spirits, Mai Mai reveals she never took easily to the subjects of math or science. “I was always more on the creative side. No matter how much I love the idea of learning math and science, my brain was just never absorbing the way it was being taught. In the end, it ended up being fashion with music as an inspiration. That’s my forte—I love music.”