Threads of Peru Blog

As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of the reasons I was drawn to Threads of Peru is its business-oriented method of alleviating poverty in the Andes.  As such, Threads of Peru is as much a social enterprise (i.e. a business with a socially minded mission) as it is a non-profit.

Non-profits, like businesses, rely on revenue to grow.  Unlike many non-profits, which depend on donations or volunteer fees, Threads of Peru seeks to sustain itself by sales profits alone.  A non-profit relying on profits is counter-intuitive yet impactful, and it is the method in which Threads of Peru has chosen to see its mission to fruition. 

Project Coordinator, Dana, working with Master Weaver, Daniel Sonqo, and the women of Chaullacocha during an "entrega" (order pickup) in October 2013.

There is, however, a significant difference in the way society views non-profits and the way it views for-profit businesses.  In a TED talk that inspired much of this post, Dan Pallotta explores the difficulties that non-profits face in the eyes of society.  One of his main points is that non-profits are held to double standards with for-profit businesses in areas such as marketing/advertising, risk-taking, and return on investment.  These double standards, he argues, hinder the growth of non-profits and ultimately deter the ability to achieve their social missions. 

 Baby Roxayra, daughter of Juana Quispe from Rumira Sondormayo, peaks out curiously from her mother's manta (carrying shawl).

Threads of Peru is in a tricky position: pressed to compete with for-profit businesses for customers in order to be sustainable, yet simultaneously distressed by societal expectations of what a non-profit “should” be doing with its revenues and opposed to taking similar measures that businesses would take to boost revenues (such as pressuring workers for shorter lead times or slashing production costs) because they do not align with our mission. 

 Weavers of the Rumira Sondormayo weaving association enjoy time together in the sunshine setting up their warps.

Navigating this conundrum is no easy feat, considering already significant challenges to doing business in the high Andes.  Firstly, placing orders with the weavers entails traveling 3+ hours one way to their communities! On arrival, a translator is required to translate the orders and other important topics from Spanish to the weavers’ native Quechua language.

Both of these time constraints, however, are minimal compared to the time and effort it takes for weavers to produce their pieces. From shearing alpaca wool to naturally dyeing the fiber to weaving the textile itself, the entire process can take a number of weeks.  It is because of these challenges that our prices are on par with those of luxury brands – not because of a high markup. 

 Juana Paola, member of the Huaran weaving association, works in the shade on a new design of change purse.

Thus, our prices are a reflection of our dual identity as a non-profit and a business.  Threads of Peru is grateful to its customers who are willing to pay fair trade prices in order for us to fairly remunerate weavers and to allocate funds to acquire more customers, with the ultimate goal of continuing to realize our mission: sustainability through sales!

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Hello all!

My name is Sarah So. I have recently joined the Threads of Peru team as the Volunteer Coordinator and Project Assistant. I will be working alongside Dana to assist with ongoing Threads of Peru projects as well as manage our growing volunteer program in 2014!

This year marks my fifth visit to Cusco, Peru. I am very familiar with the city of Cusco as I have worked here in the past as volunteer coordinator for another organization but am particularly enthusiastic in joining Threads of Peru.

My hometown is Portland, Oregon and I have lived in Seattle for the past seven years. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Washington, where I studied Latin American art, culture and language. After volunteering for the first time in Cusco, Peru, I was inspired to learn more about Peruvian culture and realized my interest in working in the social field.

Threads of Peru caught my attention from the start with their mission and model to alleviate poverty through the use of traditional weaving, empowering indigenous artisans as well as educating the public about this ancient art and tradition. I highly value the importance of sustainable development, a commitment demonstrated by TOP through providing economic and capacitation opportunities for Andean weavers and access to resources with which to compete in an international market.

As Volunteer Coordinator and Project Assistant, my work with TOP will primarily be assisting volunteers from their pre-arrival to Cusco until departure. I'm very much looking forward to meeting all those who will be joining our team here or remotely to support the continued success of Threads of Peru!

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Exactly one year ago, Threads of Peru launched its 2013 wholesale catalogue, in which it reiterates the connection between the mission of Threads of Peru and the Slow Fashion movement.  Having heard of the “Slow Movement” before, I wanted to investigate in a bit more detail and elaborate on how Threads of Peru also embodies the values of this worldwide endeavor. 

The Slow Fashion Movement is rooted in the belief that all stakeholders in the fashion and textiles industry should emphasize social, economic, and ecological responsibility.  By encouraging individuals to slow down consumption, which eases the detriments that today’s “fast fashion” trends have on workers and the environment, the movement seeks to create a more sustainable future for the fashion and textiles industry. 

One value of the Slow Fashion movement, as identified by Slow Fashion Forward, a consultancy, is the emphasis on locality: utilizing local materials and human capital in the production of textiles and garments.  Threads of Peru purchases directly from indigenous weavers that source all of their materials from native plants and insects, found on the mountain peaks and fertile valleys of the Peruvian Andes.  By doing so, the weavers claim little to no environmental footprint in their production process. 

Juana Paola, former president of the Huaran weaving association, proudly claims knowing 280 traditional designs, for which she only uses her memory as reference.

Valuing people is central to Slow Fashion.  The movement requires that workers are paid fair wages and it encourages their economic and professional development.  Threads of Peru pays fair trade prices to weavers and reinvest all profits, after covering minimal administrative costs, back into the communities through skills building and professional capacitation projects. They also respect not only the time necessary to weave, estimating at least one month production for each piece, but also the time of the weavers themselves, as responsibilities including childcare, tending to their fields, household cooking and cleaning, are also integral to their well-being.

Superior quality is both a value and, in many ways, a result of the Slow Fashion movement.  For consumers, there is a clear choice: to buy large quantities of cheap items that may survive a few wears, or to invest in a few items that are made to last a lifetime. Threads of Peru strives to produce only textiles of the finest quality, believing the luxury and story of each piece will make it an unforgettable heirloom for generations to come. 

Threads of Peru then takes the Slow Fashion movement one step further, having made the commitment in its founding mission to preserve a cultural tradition.  The core values of the Slow Fashion movement pertain to responsibility, respect, and awareness.  By marketing the incredible products that Andean weavers are able to create, Threads of Peru is spreading awareness about weaving traditions and providing the monetary means for these traditions to be passed on.

Written by: Meredith Baade

Photos: Jose Díaz and Hannah Lowndes (http://josediazcontrer.flavors.me/)

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