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"I like to show our ancestors' traditions through my art, so that our children realize how different is their life compared to my generation, and older," confides Filiberto Chali. Painting with oils, he tells the story of how a young woman is stolen from her parents' home by her boyfriend and his friends. The only witness to the event is a man with a couple of bottles, perhaps not the most reliable of witnesses.

Kidnapping brides used to be a fairly common practice in San Juan Comalapa, Chali's hometown. The reason for taking her could be anything, from her being underage, her parents not allowing the union, or her not wanting to marry the groom. By kidnapping her, the parents were ultimately obliged to allow their union lest she be deemed unchaste by everyone else. Today the custom continues, but only when there is consent, and then the festivities ensue.

Titled "Se Roban a la Muchacha" in Spanish.

By Carmen Aguilar, this enchanting top is embroidered by hand. The Mexican artisan creates a smock-style tunic with three-quarter sleeves and a tie at the neck. White cotton hosts floral and geometric motifs in primrose yellow, wisteria purple and pale jade green. It slips over the head.

Artisans from Guatemala's K'amolon K'i K'ojonel Association take you to a dreamy realm where pastel hues merge in harmonious beauty. The weavers use rayon yarns—obtained from bamboo—to create this sublime scarf, whose sweet hues allow you to exude an enchanting aura completed by fringes.

Glorious and beautiful, this blouse is designed by Anchal Ahuja in India. She crafts this blouse from a cotton blend in soft peach, which is decorated with metallic chikankari stitching. Snow white embroidery decorates the shoulders and cap sleeves. A tasseled tie closes the neckline of this blouse, which features shirring just under the bodice.

Artisans of the K'amolon K'i K'ojonel Association from Guatemala modernize the traditional poncho with a oneiric pattern that allows for a capricious aura. Working with cotton and rayon made from bamboo, they weave the garment in a colorful palette of pastel hues that merges with charming fringes woven around the front—making it ideal for a unique fashion statement.