work rings

Martin Lazarte designs this luxurious monochrome pullover with a beautiful combination of knits in a soft and durable alpaca wool blend. He selects a beautiful warm beige tone for this cozy sweater. Wear it with high-waisted denim or a soft slip skirt.

Martin first learned to work knitting machines while working at a textile factory where he participated in the process from start to finish. He moved on to work on his own, combining the technical knowledge he acquired with his own designs. He now works for a local nonprofit that teaches other artisans the same skills he once learned as a young man to help them access better job opportunities.

Ajay Kapoor creates a casual men’s long-sleeved shirt in a blend of cotton and linen. A herringbone pattern band adorns the front pocket and inside sleeve placket, adding a touch of flair to a classic design. Overdying lends a soft feel and gives a worn-in look. Reinforced sections at the chest pocket and shirttail hem and an overstitched accent on the right sleeve cuff add a rugged, homespun charm.

Costa Rican artisan Blanca Padilla designs and handcrafts this lovely trio of angels from fiber extracted from cabuya or fique, a succulent that looks similar to agave. The cabuya fiber is a beautiful creamy antique white, and the artisan works with its natural texture to from the features of this wall sculpture. Gold thread is woven with the cabuya to accent each angel's halo and the hem of her gown, and she carries a lovely bouquet of paper and natural dried flowers in red, yellow, and green. A star shoots over the trio.

The art and skill of creating handicrafts from cabuya or fique has been handed down through Blanca Padilla's family for generations. The artisan sources her material herself, growing and harvesting the cabuya, extracting the fiber, and preparing it for use in the handicrafts. Blanca Padilla hopes to help revitalize the cabuya craft industry with the success of her designs.