heritage gifts

Intricate geometric motifs come to life in radiant colors derived from natural dyes. Artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco work with ancestral techniques to create fashion for today and always. This elegant ruana cape is woven by hand of fine alpaca wool, prized by the ancient Inca for its lightweight warmth. The cloak of many colors includes red, goldenrod yellow, fuchsia and orange, among others.

The community raises and cares for its own alpacas. The fleece is washed, carded and spun by hand using a pushka, or drop spindle. The dyes come from plants, nuts and tree bark. The next step is one of the most important, as the artisan prepares the warp, or vertical threads for the backstrap loom. This determines the size of the textile, the color combinations, and the patterns that will be woven.

The intensity of color can vary depending on the hardness of the water, the altitude and the local dye sources, making each textile a unique piece of handcrafted art.

Exalting Bali's batik heritage, Saktut Raitawati designs a border print robe with graceful arabesque motifs. Classic front-wrap styling, side pockets, three-quarter length sleeves and a matching tie belt combine for graceful lines. The patterns are created with hand-stamped batik.

This colourful cardigan radiates unparalleled allure through its intricate patterns and textures. Lovingly knitted from a soft alpaca blend, Peruvian artisan Ana Fernandez’s long-sleeved, V-neck design envelops you in comfort while connecting you to centuries of Andean textile heritage. The coconut shell button is a nod to natural materials that accentuate the earthy elegance of this vibrant, one-of-a-kind cardigan.

With his work Rogelio aims to remain true to his Andean heritage and compliment the natural beauty of the women who wear his creations. This taupe melange cardigan is accented with colours of charcoal and mulberry. The accents are knit into geometric motifs on the forearm and on the front placket, raglan and crew neckline. Coconut buttons on the front placket compliment the earthy tones of the garment.

Hand woven ikat is practised in many countries and cultures around the world with the most bold and colourful coming from the Fergana Valley region in eastern Uzbekistan. Combining this artful heritage and modern styling, Uzbek designer Abduvali creates his wearable masterpieces. The narrow woven cotton ikat panels are meticulously stitched together to create one continuous pattern from side to side. This attention todetail is evident in each piece from the talented artisan in his Tashkent studio.

The oversized jacket is based on the traditional ‘Chapan’ worn during the cold winter months. This mid-weight version features an oversized fit, extra-long sleeves to be rolled to the desired length and a self tie belt to further adjust the fit. Layering beautifully over your favorite sweater or dress, the jacket is cotton lined and includes side seam pockets.