MARITERE RODRIGUEZ

MARITERE RODRIGUEZ was born on June 19, 1976, in the Dominican Republic into a family deeply rooted in art and design. Her father, a renowned architect, and her mother, an interior decorator, passed down their creative spirits to Maritere, who as a child was filled with curiosity and an innate talent for design. From a young age, she poured her imagination into notebooks filled with sketches of dresses, accessories, furniture—anything she could envision. Her educational journey took her to Saint Michael College in Vermont to study English, followed by studies in Design and Interior Decoration at the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU) in the Dominican Republic. Later, in 2001, she attended a fashion Design program at the esteemed Parsons School of Design in New York, where her passion for fashion took shape. Yet, her greatest inspiration would come through the connection to her beloved grandmother and the resilience she discovered through life’s challenges.
In 2009, after the passing of her grandmother and navigating a difficult divorce, Maritere channeled these experiences into the creation of a brand that would capture her journey of renewal and strength. Reflecting on cherished childhood memories of catching butterflies with her grandmother, she sought a name that honored this legacy. In a moment of inspiration, she found Babochka—a Russian word for “butterfly” that sounds remarkably like “babushka,” or “grandmother.” This discovery brought profound meaning to her work, linking her brand to both her grandmother and the butterfly, a creature that undergoes a radical transformation.
The butterfly, Maritere learned, is the only living being that experiences two distinct DNAs in its lifetime—first as a caterpillar and later as a butterfly. For Maritere, this remarkable transformation symbolized her own journey through reinvention and resilience, inspiring the essence of her brand.
Founded in 2010, Babochka by Maritere Rodríguez has since become a leading high-end men’s accessories brand in the Dominican Republic, with a growing presence in the U.S. Every Babochka piece is crafted with exceptional standards, designed to withstand the demands of everyday life and symbolize a personal journey of growth and authenticity. With over 14 years of experience in fashion and design, Maritere works with skilled manufacturers in Europe, Hong Kong, and India to ensure her products meet her high standards.
Today, Babochka is more than a brand; it’s a testament to transformation, freedom, and self-discovery. Each creation is a tribute to her grandmother and an invitation for others to embrace their own journey, celebrating every stage of life with the grace and beauty of the butterfly.