versatile clothing

Ruanas add a layer of style to any outfit. Sandra Cuellar from El Salvador designs this handloomed cotton ruana in lovely strawberry and grey tones. This versatile garment can also be worn as a shawl by wrapping the ends around the shoulders.

Sandra is the heiress of a 40-year-old traditional family business dedicated to handloomed creations. Her designs have carried the cultural richness of El Salvador to different corners of the world.

An interpretation of the traditional textiles worn by women in Guatemala, this enchanting shawl combines red, black and white. It emulates the jaspe technique, similar to tie dye. Women of Aj Quen weave the cotton wrap by hand and finish the shawl with hand tied fringe.

Alfredo Falcon of Peru designs this striped acrylic poncho with bold colors and a mixture of geometric motifs. A touch of baby alpaca gives adds to the poncho's warmth and feel. Lightweight, the poncho makes a wonderful layering piece.

Alfredo Falcon learned the craft of weaving from his parents, who learned from their parents before them. He says, “We have been a family devoted to the world of textiles for generations. I use modern colors but I remain true to Incan and colonial motifs.”

Handwoven of cotton on the traditional backstrap loom, this marvelous handbag comes from Petrona Perez and Asociación de Artesanas of Mexico. The crimson tote features rainbow stripes and an embroidered bouquet of flowers on the front. The versatile purse opens to a roomy, unlined interior for storing your belongings.

This candy apple scarf will not go unnoticed and will add life to any outfit. Guatemala's Elena Ixtamer designs this versatile accessory woven by hand from rayon on a traditional backstrap loom and featuring lovely fringes and openwork accents.