about us
Our Philosophy
SOTE is a practice that springs from the belief that seemingly inanimate objects are vessels of meaning, artifacts of human experience, and a means to empathy.
In a world increasingly motivated by speed, ease, and technology, the values we hold dear are reflected in these objects of adornment, both for body and space.
SOTE strives to create connective spaces and experiences that gather people and objects in order to cultivate a dialogue with each other and with ourselves. Through careful curation and a confluence of senses, we invite visitors to slow down, engage with their surroundings and discover the narratives of design, craft, techniques and materials that both ground and transport us. Through its curation SOTE’s objective is to imbue its community with creative agency and more lucid self expression for deeper, more meaningful conversation.
Our history
Spirit of the Earth was started in 1982 by husband-wife duo Tony Malmed and Gayatri Malmed. The store was an amalgamation of their life of travels. Tony and Gayatri Malmed met in Afghanistan while traveling in their early twenties, moved together to India for eleven years, and then continued to travel, all the while collecting precious jewels, hand-embroidered silks, and exquisite antiques, before making their way—each for their first time—to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Entranced with the beauty and ethereality of the small, dusty city, they decided to stay.
They owned and operated Spirit of the Earth in Santa Fe from 1983-2018.
In January of 2019, they passed the store over to the loving hands of Sophie Sagar and Owen Maher, and Franci Sagar. With a combined history in retail, design, interiors and architecture, the handoff to the multigenerational family team of Owen Maher, Sophie Sagar and Franci Sagar was kismet. As new owners, Owen, Sophie and Franci identified the potential of Spirit of the Earth to evolve into a contemporary retail experience rooted in one of the most historic and layered trading posts in the world.