Cristina Lynch grew up visiting her mother’s home country, Mexico, and spending weeks on her grandfather’s ranch, surrounded by vibrant stories of cowboys and artists. That artistry, craftsmanship, and tradition shaped her sense of style, even as she built a career with some of fashion’s biggest names.
In 2013, she founded Mi Golondrina from her Dallas home to share the beauty of Mexico’s art with a broader audience. Today, the brand also serves as a powerful way to provide opportunity and recognition for the talented artisans who craft each piece.
Growing up with a connection to Mexico
Heritage is at the heart of Mi Golondrina. Cristina’s mother was born in Torreón, Coahuila, in Northern Mexico, and she raised Cristina with a deep connection to her home, including language and traditions.
“Since my mother was 18, she has collected Mexican art and, over the years, has built an incredible collection. In the last few years, through her Instagram, Estrellas Mías, she has been intentional about cataloging her pieces and sharing the stories of the artists,” says Cristina. “Watching her passion for Mexico expressed that way has been one of the greatest gifts she has given me.”
From an early age, Cristina would spend time at her grandfather’s ranch in Mexico, where she received an immersive education. While there, her mother introduced her to artists, from ceramicists to painters to embroiderers.
“I will never forget my first trip to Oaxaca when I was 14, playing with balloons in a courtyard and soaking in every detail. Even earlier, I remember winding through the mountains of Chiapas with my family. Those moments made a lasting impression,” recalls Cristina.
Working her way up the corporate ladder … and then pivoting
Cristina’s exposure to art and culture led to a career in fashion, and her early resume reads like a round-up of some of the biggest names in style. She interned with Narcisco Rodriguez, and her first job after graduating with a degree in economics and theater was working in sales at Oscar de la Renta.
“When I was graduating, my dad encouraged me to network as much as possible. He always said that New York was full of people who wanted to help you succeed if you put yourself out there, and that advice led me to Oscar de la Renta,” says Cristina.
Eventually, she felt the call to her own venture, and the initial idea for Mi Golondrina was born. Without textile or small business experience, Cristina turned to a family friend and mentor, the CEO of Peacock Alley, and, together, they collaborated on the first concept of embroidered linens from Mexico.
“From him, I learned everything from creating a line sheet to thinking about quality and selling, and that experience gave me the foundation to launch Mi Golondrina,” says Cristina.
With ambition and a vision, Cristina moved home to Dallas to start the business, and she looks back fondly on those early days. “I lived with my parents. It was such a gift to spend mornings with my dad, hear his advice, and feel his support. There were many challenges … In the end, I trusted the beauty of embroidery and believed people would connect with it.”
The story behind the name
Golondrina translates to “swallow,” and these small songbirds regularly appear in Mexican songs and poems. They’re a symbol that’s resonated with Cristina since childhood, when she’d spot them flying high above her grandfather’s ranch.
She explains, “The name Mi Golondrina came to my mom and me when we were in New York together. We wanted something beautiful, romantic, and not too difficult to pronounce.”
Placing the logo on each piece was not Cristina’s initial plan, but she carefully worked with the artisans to incorporate it in a way that didn’t distract from their intricate embroidery. “To me, the golondrina on each piece is like a stamp of pride and quality. It reflects the care that went into making it,” says Cristina.
“I love that Mi Golondrina introduces people to a Spanish word they may not have known before,” says Cristina. “Language is such a beautiful bridge. In our office, our quality control team speaks Spanish, and we have seen English- and Spanish-speaking teammates learn from one another. That spirit of sharing is exactly what the name represents to me.”
Working with community artisans
From the beginning, Mi Golondrina was about bringing the talent and tradition of Mexican artisans to a new audience. Cristina works closely with the women who share their art, leading to intimate connections within the community. “I consider many of the artisan leaders we work with role models. They are women I admire deeply, and they have encouraged me in my own journey through motherhood,” says Cristina.
Their impact on her and how she runs her business has expanded over the years as she’s gotten to know them on a more personal level. Cristina recalls an early memory, “Many of the communities we work with speak Zapotec languages, so communication often requires translation. I’ll never forget when one woman told me that because of the income she earned from embroidery, her family was able to send her son to school for the first time.”
At the time, she was in her 20s, just starting as an entrepreneur, which completely shifted how she saw her role in founding Mi Golondrina. “What had started as a way to celebrate Mexico’s traditions became something deeper. I realized that even small opportunities could change the future for a family, and that responsibility gave the work a new meaning for me.”
The traditions of Oaxaca
Many of the designs in Mi Golondrina’s collections come from the traditions of Oaxaca, a state in Southern Mexico known for its vibrant culture and artistry. Today, Cristina still travels to the region at least twice a year, though, in the early days of Mi Golondrina, she was there every few months.
“I have three little ones, almost six, four, and my youngest just turned two this week. Motherhood is everything to me right now, so my trips are less frequent, but even more meaningful,” says Cristina. Just like her mother did, Cristina brings her own children with her to Mexico to learn more about their heritage.
Each time she’s there, Cristina finds herself reinvigorated by the richness of the art, textiles, and personal connections. “One of our artisan partners’ nieces has become so close to our family that my daughter calls her ‘prima.’ That relationship feels sacred and beautiful to me. Those ties are at the heart of Mi Golondrina and remind me why this work matters.”
Marrying tradition and today
While designs are collaborative, the inspiration starts with the artisans.
“We watch trends, and our merchandise director helps us plan collections, quantities, and concepts,” she says. But, she adds, “The real beauty comes from working closely with the artisans to choose fabrics, threads, and colors … Many of them grew up learning from their mothers and grandmothers, so their mastery of color and pattern is something I deeply admire.”
Each region has distinctive flowers and motifs that appear in the work. It’s important to her to preserve those elements that have been used for generations. “They are cultural emblems, symbols of pride for the artisans and their communities. Keeping that heritage alive while also evolving is what inspires every collection we create.”
Looking ahead
In October, the brand will release a collaboration with Liz Adams. Cristina notes, “We’ve had a relationship with her at the brand for a long time … The fall collection we created is beautiful — rich browns, subtle butterfly details, and silhouettes that I think people will love.”
For the holiday season, Mi Golondrina will bring back a beloved project, releasing one-of-a-kind embroidered pieces designed entirely by the artisans themselves. “Each woman created something that brought her joy, and we sold those pieces as true one-of-a-kinds. It was such a powerful reminder that the artisans are not only skilled makers, but true artists.”
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