Antonio de Mendoza

As Greenwich Market celebrates 40 years of Arts and Crafts, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our most cherished traders: Antonio de Mendoza. A familiar face and a true craftsman, Antonio has been part of the market’s creative heartbeat for over two decades. We caught up with him to hear about his journey, his inspirations, and what it means to be part of such a historic and vibrant community at one of the best markets in London.

This year Greenwich Market is celebrating 40 years since diversifying into trading things such as Arts & Crafts, how does it feel to be one of the longest established designer-makers trading at the market?

“I feel very honoured to be one of the oldest traders in the market. I started here 23 years ago and for me this is like home. I have amazing customers, I have amazing people coming to visit. It’s always very vibrant and happy. I totally love Greenwich Market and feel very happy to be here.”

What does being the craft ambassador for Greenwich Market mean to you?

“When they told me that I will be the craft ambassador for the market I feel nervous but honoured at the same time. With the task to represent the traders already at the market and bring more traders in to come in and join Greenwich Market because I think this is an amazing opportunity and place to be apart of.”

How have your designs and craft evolved during your time trading at the market?

“I learned my jewellery in the United States and my influence is very South American, so the way I work with my jewellery is completely different from whatever I discovered in the UK. I’ve had to adapt my designs to be the British way, so I’ve tried to be a fine jeweller but its been a very different road of what I was expecting to be. I expected to be ready for the market but now I have to change all the time, new colours, new styles trying to make something unique and different at the same time.”

How do you balance traditional craftsmanship with modern design trends?

“The trends in design are always changing, the colours, shapes, forms and the way people wear the pieces. When I started 23 years ago people either wore silver or gold. Now they are mixing metals on the same hand, so it’s been difficult to adapt. I try to be original and timeless in all my pieces so they can wear the pieces in tenure time without worrying about fashion trends changing at the time. That’s the way for me to play along with it.”

What is your favourite part about being a trader at Greenwich Market?

“I think it’s joining a very old tradition for me. This is one of the oldest markets in the UK and the magic for me is that big part of this market is big part of the traditional British way. So it’s all the ancient words since the Queen Elizabeth the 1st living in the palace coming up to today is like being part of a generation of craftsmanship in one of the most special places in the UK.”

Over your time trading at Greenwich Market, what’s been your best memory / encounter?

“I’ve seen many famous people here, but my best memory has been about the traders that have been next to me. Since I started trading here I have come across people that are from every nationality, every type of product, each one with a different dream, each one with a different idea, each one with a different expectation. That for me is the best motivator that I can get in the world is like wow, everybody wants to be here, everybody’s creative with amazing ideas and that is the magic of being part of the market.”

How did DeMec Jewellery come about?

“The name is the combination of my name and surname. My name is Antonio de Mendoza, so it made the acronym ADEMC. I wanted to make something easy to pronounce and my name isn’t that easy so I tried to use this to make a word that was conveying everything that I am and what’s in my nature.”

Does the number 8 have a special significance to you?

“Yes it does, I’ve actually created a collection called symbols based on the number 8. My wife is from Hong Kong and there the number 8 means ‘success, good fortune and good luck’, so I created a collection that represents this for my customers. Something that symbols strength, stability and fluidity.”

Make sure you pay Antonio a visit next time you head to the market when you are in London. For more information on when you can find Antonio visit his stall here.