peru textiles

The Peruvian textile arts reach another point of luxurious and radiant beauty with Raquel and Gregor's newest design. The team works on a traditional loom to create this soft scarf, whose yarns of baby alpaca, cotton and rayon allow a comfortable sensation. With yellow as the main color, this fringed piece boasts the sun's luminous grace.

Gamaniel Esmit combines deep tones of crimson and marigold with warm earth colors in this rug celebrating the Inca heritage of his Andean homeland. He hand-weaves it in a traditional loom using fine 100% alpaca wool and signs it with his initials.Born in the highlands city of Huancayo, Gamaniel comes from a long line of weavers and grew up around surrounded by yarns and looms. Through their work, he and his family continue to keep alive the old traditions and techniques that have been passed down to them for centuries.

In the ancient Inca empire, those with radiant beauty were known as qori, meaning "golden lady" in the Quechua language. Inspired by those times of splendor, artisan Paul Lopez of Peru works with cotton yarns to create this woven belt, whose classic geometric pattern combines yellow, orange and purple hues on an ivory base tone, imitating a harmonious morning.

Fashion-forward with its funnel neck, rolled cuffs and hem, and relaxed fit, this sweater will keep you cozy in style. Patricia Lopez in Peru designs the sweater, which features a trellis-like pattern in antique gold. The sweater is knit from 100% alpaca wool, renowned for its lightweight warmth.

Peruvian artisan Maria Ramos Sanchez handcrafts this mobile phone case with an arpillera style front, in which cotton blend felt is appliquéd and embroidered to create an elaborate scene. The artisan was inspired by the beautiful Tambopata National Reserve of Peru, and fills this jungle scene with scarlet macaws perched in flowering trees, a tiger stalking through the foliage on the jungle floor, and a sloth peeking out from amongst the branches. This lovely, brightly colored scene is on a yellow background, and the back and lining of the bag are black. The single compartment is secured with a zipper and a long, colorful strap makes it easy to carry the case over the shoulder or across the body.

The morning is russet and goldenrod in this cushion cover from the Andean region. Made with traditional techniques by Peru's Zosimo Laura, this piece combines Andean artistry with a whimsical touch, portraying a happy sun. The back has a zipper, allowing easy use.