Classic Plait

Every design requires an aesthetic view. That view can be buttressed with philosophical considerations, when we first decided to create our own line we knew our core philosophical influence would be permanence. There are few designs that rival the Braid, or Plait, for permanence. The braid, first found in hair styling in ancient Africa has been found in every culture and tradition since. In addition to its longevity the braid offered us, as designers, two desirable characteristics: infinite permutation & utility. The braids ability to change has helped it both embrace and defy categorization: by gender, religion, class. It's ability to transform, to be simple or complex, traditional or progressive has allowed the braid to become a vessel for symbolism from the Egyptians to the Celts, and Native Americans, right up to today. And on top of all that, the braid is useful – the braid has been essential in the advancement and movement of humankind. Most notably as rope or line – braided line has raised the marble and stone of ancient architecture and has controlled the sails and rigging of boats for millennia. Braided copper cable fills our electronics and braided carbon fiber is revolutionizing industrial design and leading to previously unimagined advances.

Beauty, Permanence, Utility: these define the Braid. They are also the basis for our design aesthetic at Baltera, and why the Braid is our first, our signature collection. In our Braids, and all our future designs, we hope you’ll find these three key elements: timelessness, purpose, and of course, beauty.