wool art

Made entirely by hand, this beautiful contemporary bag showcases the ancestral weaving traditions preserved by the women artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. The compact purse exemplifies the incredible time and dedication it takes to produce a handmade work of art. In the highlands they call home, before they can begin to weave the fabric for the bag, the women must first raise and shear the alpacas and llamas to obtain the wool, then dye and spin the fleece before it is ready to be woven into fabric on a traditional backstrap loom. From start to finish, the time taken to produce each bag spans the seasons. The fully-lined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket.

The cool blues of this beautiful 100% alpaca shoulder bag evoke the Andean skies. The bag is crafted entirely by hand by the artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. They raise the alpacas and llamas to obtain the fleece; shear, dye and spin the wool; and weave the textile on a traditional waist loom. The unlined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket and jaunty tassels on the bottom.

An Inca-inspired wool textile crowns a sublime creation from the enchanting Peruvian lands. Designers Ana Maria and Ernesto preset this artisan-crafted cotton sling whose chocolate base hue allows for a dapper style. The piece, equipped with an adjustable strap and two zipper compartments, features a convenient magnetic snap closure that secures a generous space and a handy interior pocket.

Wear this bag any way you like. Kathiana Quispe crafts it with two different removable straps that will allow you to wear it as a shoulder bag, crossbody, wristlet, or an elegant evening clutch. She mixes the colors and textures of smooth tobacco leather with a tooled geometric pattern along the flap's edge. This bag is fully lined and comes with a flap magnetic closure, a zippered interior pocket, and an adjustable strap.

Katiana Quispe's work mixes the old traditions of her native Cusco with functional, modern designs. She learned the art of tooling leather from her father and uses Andean textiles as inspiration for her work.

Classic Andean details compose an antique portrait of a river full of fish, transforming this sling bag into a treasure of the region's textile artistry. Peru's Gerardo Fernandez weaves this convenient accessory from wool yarns in natural navy, green and ivory hues, evoking the Andes' stunning forests. An adjustable strap and zipper closure finish the piece, while an interior pocket allows for handy use.