Ana Maria Delgado weaves passion into life
Nestled in the heart of the Philippines, a textile mill is weaving history, creativity, and luxury into every thread. The mill, which specializes in producing exclusive, bespoke, warp-printed hand-woven silks, is a modern-day marvel that ties the rich legacy of 18th century France to contemporary design. These are no ordinary fabrics; they are crafted using techniques reminiscent of the exquisite Chiné à la branche method that once adorned the wardrobe of French royalty.
Queen Marie Antoinette, the epitome of luxury, had a deep affinity for this technique, using it to create her impeccable robes and lavish palace furnishings. The fabrics were known for their intricate and blurry floral patterns, achieved by printing warp threads before hand-weaving. This artful process has been revived and refined in the Philippines, seamlessly blending traditions to meet the tastes of today's discerning clientele. The mill’s modern take on the Chiné à la branche technique exemplifies this fusion, producing a distinctive, ethereal effect that merges timeless beauty with contemporary sophistication.
The mill, guided by Ana Maria Delgado, produces truly exceptional fabrics. “Every piece of silk is meticulously hand-woven, with thousands of yarn ends coming together to create a unique, luxurious, and durable textile. The silk, sourced from China—renowned for its superior quality— ensures that each creation is as exquisite as it is enduring. For those who seek the finest, these fabrics offer a seductive blending of the past, fine artistry, and modern elegance,” according to Ana.
The story of this mill goes beyond the fabrics created for Anamar (her company); it is about the vision of Ana Maria, the woman whose life has been a journey of creativity, passion, and purpose. Born into a family deeply connected to the hotel industry, Ana’s upbringing is steeped in hospitality and design. Don Paco Delgado and his brother Antonio, who once owned Manila Hilton, were instrumental in pioneering international luxury to our island nation with the country’s first five-star hotel and tallest building when it opened in 1968. As a seven-year-old, Ana, with her father, mother Carmencita Chuidian and older siblings, had the unforgettable experience of meeting Conrad Hilton at his Bel-Air mansion, an encounter that left an indelible mark and sowed the seeds of her future career.
Ana’s education and experiences were pivotal in shaping who she is today. “After leaving the Philippines in 1970, I attended boarding school in England and later studied Hotel and Restaurant Management at the prestigious Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne,” she says. These formative years, filled with global friendships and rich experiences, established the foundation for a successful career in design. After completing her studies, Ana moved to the United States, earning a BA in Graphic Design. She eventually worked for interior and graphic design companies specializing in the hospitality industry, with a specific focus on interiors and textile design with Blair Spangler Interior Design and Bent Severin Design Associates until she began her own firm in San Francisco.
Through her textile mill, Ana was able to create jobs, preserve traditional weaving techniques, and foster a sense of community among her employees whom she considers family.
In the ’90s, Ana founded Anamar Interiors, where she successfully worked alongside leading hospitality design firms, designing hotels and their restaurants such as The Nikko Hotel, The Mark Hopkins, The Huntington in San Francisco, The Mark in New York, several Hyatt projects across California, boutique hotel properties in Sausalito and Carmel, and notable sports facilities like Candlestick Park and the Headquarters of the 49ers football team, as well as The Rose Bowl in Pasadena. She later expanded her work to designing residences for discreet ultra-high net worth individuals from the East Coast to the West Coast and extending across the Pacific to the islands of Hawaii.
“My journey eventually led me back to my origins, where I embraced a new challenge—the textile mill,” says Ana. Originally established in Korea in the 1960s and later relocated to the Philippines, the mill had a limited market before Ana took the helm. With a deep understanding of interior and fabric design, the mill was transformed into a thriving creative hub that serves high-end interior designers. Today, Anamar fabrics grace luxury hotels, residences and other spaces across the globe, embodying a blend of tradition and innovation.
For Ana, this mill is more than a business—it is a “calling.” She prayed for a way to give back, able to use her talents for a greater purpose, and the answer came in the form of this textile mill. Re-established in 2014, Koriko Weavers was named with her late brother Rico in mind. “The name represents how closely we grew up together, almost as if we were twins, intertwining his presence and influence into my journey of giving.” Through this involvement, Ana created jobs, preserved traditional weaving techniques, and fostered a sense of community among her employees whom she considers family. Her leadership is not just about producing beautiful fabrics; it’s about nurturing the people who create them, sharing life lessons, and building a vibrant, supportive environment.
Back in the day, the legendary British-born painter and textile designer Leslie Tillett, one of Jackie Onassis' favorite designers, was commissioned by the mill to create its early designs. They also collaborated with the notable American and celebrated designer Gere Kavanaugh, who still offers Koriko Weavers guidance with weaving techniques. They have woven fabrics for the late Jack Lenor Larsen, one of the most influential and prominent figures in textile design as well.
Today, the mill continues to weave fabrics for luxury textile companies like Brunschwig & Fils, now a part of the Kravet family of legendary brands. Their partnership has endured for decades, and to quote Scott Kravet, he gushed to Ana, saying: “Did you hear the ‘scroop’ of your fabrics?”—referring to the particular luxurious rasping sound of silk. Under Ana’s leadership, the mill became synonymous with quality, creativity and a profound appreciation for the craft.
One of her current fabric installations curated by Winch Design in London adorns every piece of furniture, including window coverings and accessories in the Master Wing of the OWO Penthouse, a private residence at the OWO Raffles London, one of the city’s most iconic projects today. The Old War Office, the “home of legends,” was Winston Churchill’s headquarters and the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s MI6 location in the James Bondfilm series.
As Ana reflects on her journey, she sees it not as the end, but as the dawn of a new chapter. “My life is just beginning,” Ana says, looking forward to the road ahead. Through this endeavor, she is preserving the past but also creating a legacy for the future—weaving passion into life, one thread at a time.
For more information online, visit anamar.us.