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Threads of Peru Blog

Giulia connecting Threads to the European market

Giulia connecting Threads to the European market

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

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

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

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

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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Meet the Threads Volunteer Team!

Meet the Threads Volunteer Team!

As you might have noticed, Threads of Peru has a thriving volunteer program this summer! With five fresh faces in the office, we’ve been able to work on a multitude of exciting and interesting projects, from social media and marketing to cultural research and impact assessment. 

Adrian, Alexa and Stephanie during an interview with the weavers  in which Quechua was translated to Spanish and vice versa

Adrian, Alexa and Stephanie during an interview with the weavers  in which Quechua was translated to Spanish and vice versa.

On the social media front, Stephanie Pardi has been hard at work creating content for the Threads blog, as well as updating our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. With her creative and insightful writing, we hope to give you all a better taste of Peru and what Threads is all about. 

Alexa stirring a pot of cochineal for various shades of red, purple, pink and gray

Alexa stirring a pot of cochineal for various shades of red, purple, pink and gray.

Working on cultural research concerning Andean dye plants, Alexa Jones has organized two natural dye workshops in order to produce all of the shades in our color palette. She’ll be creating sets of labeled sample books, while also helping out with some graphic design work! 

Eliane and Dana going over the order of pom poms

Eliane and Dana going over the order of pom poms.

Eliane Heutschi, designer extraordinaire, is sewing up a storm! Eli has been creating samples for a capsule collection, which includes five gorgeous, Peruvian-inspired pieces. We can’t wait to show you the final products! 

The Threads of Peru team in Cusco during a dye workshop with the weavers of Huaran

The Threads of Peru team in Cusco during a dye workshop with the weavers of Huaran.

In order to expand Threads of Peru’s market in Europe, Giulia Grassi has been scouting new wholesale opportunities and redefining the brand image. In addition to reaching out to new retailers, Giulia is writing a marketing strategy and customer surveys to help Threads grow. Harrison Ackerman is in the early stages of an impact assessment project, seeking to observe Threads of Peru’s impact in the communities by interviewing the weavers, analyzing what kind of progress we’re making, and suggesting ways we can improve.

It’s quite a productive summer here in the Threads of Peru office! Stay tuned to hear more about all the progress our bright volunteers are making on their respective projects. We also have several new and exciting volunteer opportunities! Threads is currently looking for graphic design, social media, and journalism volunteers.

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The wonders of the alpaca fur poncho

The wonders of the alpaca fur poncho

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

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

 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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