From an early age the Puerto Rican born designer Maru López has felt the need to create, learning the art of lace making at the age of 6. Piano, dancing and painting were among the diverse things that Maru explored as a teenager. She decided to follow her passion for history and obtained a BA in Latin American History from the University of Puerto Rico. After some years working in PR at a cultural institution, she decided it was time for a change and embarked for NYC where she obtained a Fashion Degree from Parsons School of Design.

Maru returned to her home island in 2003 and was active in the emerging independent design scene. With a group of young Puerto Rican designers, she organized and took part in various fashion shows and art markets. In 2007, Maru felt the winds of change once more and set off for Florence, Italy where she completed a 3 year course in contemporary jewelry at Alchimia Scuola di Gioielleria Contemporanea. After finishing her studies she remained at the school as part of the faculty. In November 2012, she decides to move once more and settles in San Diego California, where she still resides.

Maru’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout Europe and the United States. She makes jewelry pieces inspired on everyday things that most take for granted or forget but that are full of memories of moments past and stories lived. From fabric to metal to resin to found objects and vintage finds, her works are colorful one-of-a-kind pieces that reinvent with playfulness the antique jewelry seen in the museums around Italy from which they are inspired.