COMMON THREADS WEAVE A NEW VENTURE

You never know what will happen when you meet a person (or two) with whom you speak the same language. That is the case … both figuratively and literally … for the three North Shore women behind Ancestral Home, a new business bringing high-quality, artisanal home accessories infused with a Latino spirit to the U.S. market.

The three partners, Dalia Lerner, Gisela Balassa, and Ana Cohn, each bring a different perspective and a unique set of values to the endeavor. Lerner, a native of Mexico City, has a background in international relations and development economics and a lifelong passion for the arts. She strongly believes creative, mindful design is the key to bottom-up development. Balassa was born in Venezuela to Chilean parents. After living in five different countries as a child, she continued her global education by earning an undergraduate degree in Mexico and a graduate degree in Milan. Balassa’s resume speaks to a successful career in fashion, marketing, and retail: she was a fashion editor for Elle Mexico, the author of a book about Mexican fashion, worked in advertising production, and owned a Miami-based concept store showcasing independent designers. Cohn hails from Misiones, a province in northern Argentina. Before moving to Glencoe to raise her three daughters with her husband, David, a North Shore native, Cohn was a practicing dentist in Spain. Her superb aesthetic sense is steeped in Argentinian and Spanish traditions, blending the best of the Old and New Worlds.

Lerner and Balassa first met in Lake Forest. With each subsequent encounter, the pair realized how much they had in common. For one thing, whether at the supermarket, dance academy, or school events, both spoke Spanish to their children … a wonderful connection. Cohn and Balassa met through a group of Latina women in Chicago. Cohn’s passion for importing high-end pieces from Latin America and Europe cemented her friendship with Balassa. When the trio undertook their first design project as a trial run, the fun they shared and the success they saw was the impetus to launch Ancestral Home.

The company’s name reflects its core values. “Ancestral” highlights the importance the women place on honoring techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. Respect, a value that is often neglected these days, comes into play as the trio prioritizes the artists’ heritage, wages, and cultures. Lerner notes, “We scout and support artisan communities that for generations have interacted harmoniously with their surroundings in their use of raw materials and in their techniques honoring natural cycles and cherishing their habitat.”

“Home” is a tribute to the beauty that results when these artisan products are infused with innovative contemporary design. “We seek to preserve handcraft techniques by creating avant-garde objects with a soul,” explains Cohn. “Our accessories are examples of modern, timeless art that personify relaxed elegance.” Balassa is excited to foster mindful consumption by providing goods that are not only beautiful but also distinctive, sustainable, and functional. “Ancestral Home is all about elevating the consciousness of the way we consume,” she notes. “Our friendship and business grew from our common heritage, one that treasured its creative community. We are thrilled to bring Latino flair and an awareness of Latino artisans to the U.S. market.”

For more information, visit ancestral-home.com.