Threads of Peru Blog

Hola – Hoi – Hey – Salut

My time with Threads of Peru has exceeded my expectations. Visiting the communities and learning how to weave with a back strap loom myself has greatly inspired me. I was able to closely watch the weaver’s habits, their styling as well as the way they transport and wrap their belongings and purchases.

I immersed myself in the Andean culture trying to translate their textile tradition into the modern world. I was searching for a design language that both cultures – the Andean, and my own culture (which I would like to call European) will understand. 

Eliane out and about near the community of Chaullacocha during an entrega.

I am a fashion designer from Zurich, Switzerland, however for the past two years I have been living in Paris, France. I moved to Paris to work for the fashion designer LUTZ HUELLE. After two years of assisting the creative director, I decided that I was ready to take the next step and built up my own company and brand. 

 Elaine learning to weave on a backstrap loom.

However before embarking on this new chapter in my life, I wanted to widen my horizon further by seeing a corner of the world that is still unknown to me. Being passionate about textiles, design, pattern making and fashion, I applied to Threads of Peru proposing to design a little capsule collection for them. 

Eliane and Armando working on creating the prototypes for her capsule collection.

As a result I used traditional pallays (textile designs) and known combinations, such as their black skirts with the colourful Golòn (a work-intensive and difficult ribbon), combined them with leather and gave them a modern, clean shape. I paid a lot of attention to finishings and details, which I believe are the essence of a clean, luxurious product. 

Sewing the prototypes with new shapes and sizes has been a fun adventure for the team in Chinchero.

I fell in love with Cusco and the surrounding communities and even though I don’t know what the future will bring and if I ever come back to this area, it has greatly impacted my life. It has also inspired me to travel and explore all traditional and unique textile techniques in the world. I would love to continue collaborating with other similar organizations around the world.

Eliane piled up in the back of a truck to make her way to the community of Parobamba.

I am very grateful to the team of Threads of Peru, Sarah So (volunteer coordinator) who made me feel at home and helped me wherever she could from the minute I landed in Cusco and Dana Blair (project coordinator) who took along to all her community visits and faithfully trusted in my design decisions, and all the other volunteers, Stephanie Pardi, Alexa Jones, Giulia Grassi and Harrison Ackerman who enriched my work but also private time in Cusco.

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Hola! My name is Giulia and I am from Italy. Currently I am living in London and studying Marketing at the London College of Fashion. It was my passion for both textiles and fashion that originally brought me to discover Threads of Peru. One day during a class called “Fabric and Fibers” at Central Saint Martins School, I discovered my interest in weaving and I wanted to know more about the process and Peruvian textiles in general.

Weavers from the community of Uppis. Photography by Giulia Grassi

When I first heard of Threads of Peru, I instantly connected with the organization’s mission of maintaining a population’s cultural tradition through innovative and efficient initiatives. Here at Threads of Peru I am doing a three-month internship, in which my main task is to analyze the organization’s current brand image and its current marketing plan. Threads of Peru is looking to expand its network and throughout my time here I have analyzed the European market in order to understand how to integrate Threads of Peru into this market. 

Natural dye workshop in Huaran. Photograph by Giulia Grassi

It is really interesting working with such a young organization like Threads of Peru because unlike working with most other start ups, working with Threads of Peru also involves discovering the world of Andean artisans, along with their culture and traditions. This type of understanding is what makes my work here so interesting. 

Volunteers Stephanie, Giuia, Eliane and Alexa riding in the back of a pickup truck in Quillabamba. Photography by Alexa Jones

Working here at TOP has been a very exciting experience, moreover the team has been really friendly and there is such a good connection between all of us. 

Street in San Blas. Photograph by Giulia Grassi

Cusco is an amazing town. I love to walk through the streets of Cusco, especially the neighborhood of San Blas and enjoying a nice coffee there. Here people are nice and very friendly. Cusco is a town where it is easy to become inspired just about anywhere, with streets full of artisans selling amazing handcrafted jewelry and textile products, almost all artisans open to sharing with you their personal stories and skills. I really enjoyed my time here and when I leave I will really miss Threads of Peru and Cusco!

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Ponchos have truly survived the currents of history, making its original debut as a clothing piece over 2,500 years ago, and still making an appearance in modern fashion. The Poncho has a long history dating back to 500BC worn by a Pre Incan people known as the Paracas. Though nowadays ponchos are worn in the Western world primarily as fashion pieces, ponchos were originally distinguished for their functionality. Their simple yet utilitarian design made them practical for agricultural work as well as for keeping the wearer protected from rain and moisture. Today, alpaca ponchos are reserved for more special occasions such as weddings and festivals.

Inca Poncho

Nevertheless, one can still find an poncho being sported as casual attire, especially on the streets of Cusco. Locals as well as tourists from many corners of the world often wear ponchos made from anything ranging from synthetic polyester wool blends to pure fine spun alpaca. After the sun sets in Cusco, temperatures plummet nearly 40 degrees within hours. Therefore, an alpaca poncho is an essential item to keep well-insulated during frigid Cusco nights. 

 Jose Luis Poncho

In fact, ponchos do such a superb job of keeping the wearer warm that we feel fortunate that we have ample access to ponchos here in Peru. Luckily for those outside of The Land of the Incas, Threads of Peru provides you access with some of the highest quality artisan-made alpaca ponchos. Each alpaca poncho we sell is crafted by a talented artisan from one of the five communities we work with. The Jose Luis, Alejandro and Inca poncho feature neutral colored fibers and is perfect for cold weather climates. Bring a piece of Peru to your home!

With over 2,500 years of history woven from high quality alpaca fiber, the poncho is, and will always remain, a classic piece.

Where can I buy an alpaca poncho like this one?

Check out the alpaca ponchos found in the Threads of Peru store. 

Sources:

http://www.clothestellstories.com/index.php/telling-stories-with-clothes/ponchos

http://www.myperu.org/traditional_clothing_peru.html

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