Values In Focus: Artistry
High-quality craftsmanship is what matters to us. We honor traditional artistry by collaborating with Indigenous artisans. From generation to generation, they pass on their knowledge in hand knitting, looming, and weaving. Creating for the future, from skills that have existed for centuries.
Honouring Tradition
At La Sierra, we deeply value our collaboration with Indigenous artisans, whose traditional skills in hand knitting, looming, and weaving have been cultivated over generations. These partnerships are essential in preserving the rich heritage of artistry that is integral to their culture. By working together, we ensure that these time-honoured skills continue to thrive and adapt to contemporary designs while maintaining their authenticity and significance.
Cultural Insights and Connection
These interactions have taught me a lot about their indigenous cultures and ways of life. We have learned that their native language does not separate them from nature. Holding deep family values, they live with a profound reverence for one another as well as the natural world. They are connected to the food they eat and tend to opt for natural medicines. They see themselves as a part of nature, weaving their indigenous identities into their work through colours, symbols, and patterns.
Some other Wisdom I have learned while spending time with Indigenous people from this region:
- Let your heart's unique wisdom guide you through life. It serves as your compass - a distinctive blueprint each of us carries within.
- The recipe for a fulfilling life is simple: maintain a positive mind and healthy body, surround yourself with community, and live in a state of love and gratitude.
- Everything is alive and sacred—every person, plant, and animal. Cultivate a deep connection with nature, letting it support you while you care for it in return.
Craftsmanship and Cultural Preservation
Some of them have shared the fear that their cultures might die out, along with their languages and traditions. The families we work with are committed to upholding their heritage, and one way they do this is through their crafts.
By sustaining their crafts, these artisans ensure the preservation and continuation of their cultural narratives. Each piece they create is not only a work of art but also a vessel that carries their history and stories to future generations. It is an honor to work with them and support their mission to protect and celebrate their cultural identity.
Creating For The Future
Each of our makers has learned their craft through their ancestry line. They have shared fond memories of their grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, and fathers crafting in their living rooms, recalling the constant sound of the hand loom or the days when they ran around workshops as children, spending hours, days, and weeks alongside their loved ones as these timeless skills were passed down. It’s a beautiful testament to the depth of these skills' roots that we have the opportunity to help preserve and share in their art forms. These crafts represent the true essence of slow fashion, and keeping these skills alive is invaluable in a world that moves so fast and often overlooks the beauty of tradition and patience.
In a world that rapidly changes, the artistry of our Indigenous partners is evolving too. Traditional skills are embraced, yet refreshed for modern interpretations. This creative evolution breathes new life into ancient techniques, making them relevant and accessible to a global audience.
We are proud to be able to share these skills through our creations where this traditional craftsmanship meets modern, timeless designs.
Artistry as a Reflection of Identity
Supporting these artisans and their crafts is not only a commitment to quality but also a value to honour the stories and cultural identity that is skilfully woven into every piece.
We invite you to meet our makers on our website and spend some time reading their stories. By choosing our creations, you are not just purchasing a product; you’re embracing and sharing in the stories and traditions that make each piece unique.
