Art Knit Floral Scarf, "Cherry Blossoms"

"I was born on October27, 1988 in Ica, where I lived with my family until I was 15. My father tailored men's suits and school uniforms, and also farmed while my mother was a homemaker, who also sewed skirts, blouses and dresses in her spare time.

"It was my mother and her backstrap loom that got me started in textile arts. Her weaving created the most beautiful items I'd ever seen and they decorated our home. After I finished high school, my father asked me to study computer science, oriented toward programming, design and robotics. But after I graduated, I felt an emptiness inside and I wanted to explore my creative abilities. That's why I'm just finishing up a degree in fashion design, because this is what I enjoy and what I actually work at each day in my workshop.

"I left home and moved to the capital, where I went through some difficult moments. I missed my family so much! I became clinically depressed and took refuge in food. But there is nothing bad that can't bring some good with it. Having them far away helped me realize how important they are to me and made me appreciate them even more. I grew up at an early age and, ever since, I became independent in every aspect of my life.

"I'm proud that I was able to overcome all this. Today I live in harmony with my family. I'm determined to achieve everything I aim for in life, always remembering the good times I spent when I lived at home, when my brother and I had so much fun inventing the most exciting games.

"I currently develop the design in my textile workshop with the help of several collaborators. We place all our effort and affection into our work to create apparel of the best possible quality. We work in alpaca wool and blends that can improve a garment's weight or drape. I teach my fellow artisans the details of this work, and strive to perpetuate the traditional designs customs and materials of our Andean culture."