exotic clothing

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.

Rich tones such as indigo, azure, lilac, and graphite create a peaceful allure in this exquisite rayon poncho. The Guatemalan artisan group K'amolon K'i K'ojonel use techniques taught them by their mothers and grandmothers to loosely weave the poncho on a backstrap loom. A decorative fringe extends all the way to the neckline.

Warm natural tones create a lovely multicolor blend in this poncho from Guatemala. Using a backstrap loom, members of the artisan group K'amolon K'i K'ojonel (which means "let us get together") hand-weave the poncho from soft rayon fabric. With a folded front and long, fringed back, the poncho has a unique asymmetric appearance.

Inspired by the colors found in a forest, the members of the K'amolon K'i K'ojonel artisan group from Guatemala design this poncho in shades of green, blue, and purple. The artisans use a backstrap loom to hand-weave the lovely garment from soft rayon fabric. A folded front and a long, fringed back give the poncho a unique, asymmetric shape.