Cristina González She is 24 years old, she is from Xaló And she speaks about fashion from a perspective that goes beyond design. She is behind Gonter, the brand of Life artisanal products that recently celebrated their first year on the market. As founder and designer, its history It began as an idea that took shape over the years.
The xalonera was formed in Fashion Design and Management in Madrid between 2019 and 2023This period allowed her to grow both professionally and personally. From a very early age, she says, she knew she wanted to do something of her own to "leave my mark in some way," she summarizes.
For Cristina, the project stems from a specific way of understanding design and fashion: from calm, coherence and respect for artisanal processesGonter, he explains, stems from his interest in creating pieces with their own identity, designed to last and to accompany the wearer beyond a single season.
An idea that took shape in 2024
The idea of having her own brand has been with Cristina since she decided she wanted to dedicate herself to fashion. However, the path wasn't immediate. In mid-2022, she began to think about doing something related to leather goods: "It was a vague idea, although it didn't leave me over time," she recalls. In April 2024, Gonter began to take shape more clearly as a creative need.
The creator of Xaló entered the workforce in the family business after finishing her studies, with the intention of saving money and, at the same time, looking for something that better suited her DevelopmentBut in that process, she discovered that she couldn't find a place in others. companies that truly answered what she was looking for. "I had a very clear purpose and objective," she says. With her first savings and after much deliberation, she decided to take the plunge. The brand finally launched on May 7th 2025.
Gonter, a name born from his surnames and his family history
The brand name also has a personal origin. Gonter comes from the combination of his two surnames: González and TerentiCristina was looking for a word with personality and its own character, something that could speak of who she is and the values that represent her.
The name also serves as a family tribute. "I was looking for something with personality and its own character, something that spoke to who I am and the values I represent, thus paying homage to those who passed them on to me: my parents and grandparents," he explains. The brand wasn't born separate from his biography, but rather anchored to it.
The first steps: intuition, doubts, and constant learning
Creating a brand from scratch wasn't easy. Cristina remembers those first steps as an intuitive process, full of doubts and continuous learning. The first phase consisted of working on the brand's identity: what it wanted to convey and how it wanted to do it. From there, other decisions followed: the design of the first collection, the search for workshops, the selection of materials, contact with suppliers and the construction step-by-step project.
"It was a trial and error phase.""It was a very beautiful phase, because everything was new and there was a lot of excitement to see an idea taking shape," she says. Each decision affected the next, and many of them were unfamiliar to someone just starting out. But Cristina doesn't describe that period solely in terms of difficulty, but also in terms of the excitement of seeing an idea take real form.
Creating from Xaló: a local project with a flexible structure
Cristina currently lives in Xaló and manages the brand from her hometown. The creator alternates between very different tasks: design, material selection, order management, supplier communication, content creation, and customer serviceAll of this coexists with her work at the family business, also in Xaló. For her, managing the project from Xaló is not only possible, but consistent with the essence of the brand.
"Current technology and channels make it possible." viable without losing quality or process control“She affirms. However, she clarifies that it requires discipline, good collaborators, and a clear structure. In her case, staying connected to the origin is not a limitation, but a way to keep the project's purpose alive.”
Crafts, leather goods from Ubrique and workshops from Sax stand in contrast to the accelerated pace of life
In a market dominated by fast, mass production, Cristina has opted for a slower approach. The brand works with Ubrique hides and produces by hand in Sax workshops"For me, it was important to focus on quality, durability, and craftsmanship," he explains.
Working with specialized workshops allows him to rely on people who have dedicated years of their lives to this craft. It's not the easiest or fastest path, he admits, but it's the one that best represents what he wants to build. A proposal based on timeless pieces, made to last and with an authentic identity.
When Cristina defines the soul of Gonter, three main ideas emerge: authenticity, quality, and craftsmanship. Her intention is to create pieces that go beyond a passing trendWith timeless designs, carefully selected materials, and meticulous attention to detail in production. "The soul of the brand lies in doing things right." calmly "And with meaning," he says.
Cristina also speaks of a form of "more conscious consumption"where each piece has a story, personality, and a long lifespan. "More than selling an accessory, we seek to convey a way of understanding fashion"It is closer, more honest and connected with tradition and a job well done," he argues.
03727: when the postal code of Xaló becomes an identity
Gonter's first collection is called Cé, referring to the initial of Cristina. In it, the designer wanted to convey who she is and the values that represent her. To do so, she named the initial designs with three postal codes from places that mark her identity: Xaló, Madrid and MálagaThese territories encapsulate distinct stages of his life and are reflected in concrete designs. Xaló is the origin, Madrid is the formation, and Málaga is the connection with the crop and tradition.
One of the most significant details of the first collection is the model called 03727, the postal code of XalóThe Xaló City Council publicly highlighted this connection by sharing Cristina's story and her project, emphasizing the local pride that an initiative born in the municipality inspires.
"Xaló is not only the place where I come from, it also represents a way of understanding life"Slower pace, closer connections," she explains. For her, 03727 symbolizes belonging, origin, and inspiration.
The support from the City Council and the residents has had a special meaning for Cristina. "Feeling that the project is understood and valued there gives it an even more beautiful meaning," she says. The phrase she uses to explain it is very clear: "For me, it's a way of closing the circle."Starting from Xaló and feeling that Xaló is also part of the journey makes the project even more meaningful.
A look towards the future: growing without losing identity
When Cristina imagines the future of Gonter, she does so with a clear ambition: to become an "international benchmark within the leather goodsBut he clarifies that the goal is not simply to grow for the sake of growth. The intention is to consolidate a solid and recognizable identity; he wants the brand to be synonymous with well-made, timeless pieces with their own character, while maintaining the essence of culture and tradition.
For now, however, their work is focused on raising their profile nationally. Cristina explains that they are doing this primarily through marketing mechanisms, social media campaigns, and pop-ups in person. So far they have attended two in La Moraleja, called No rush.
The process, he insists, is long. Bringing such a project to fruition requires confidence in what is being built and patience to respect the timing. "I think we are exactly on the right track: learning, growing, and consolidating foundations that will truly support everything that comes next," he concludes.
