Fair Trade Huipil Bags 

For those of you that have followed the growth of the Gypsies + Debutantes brand you know that I am obsessed with textiles. Some people are mad about plaid, but I'm gaga for geometrics. The more exotic and detailed the more I swoon and that is why several years ago when I was trying to find a fair trade women owned/opperated coop that could weave my friendship bracelets, I almost cried with happiness when I saw the textiles from this one  small town. They came in the form of huipils (blouses) and I became crazed with trying to buy every one I saw even though I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do with them. My mom hung hers on the wall but that seemed less than exciting to me. I wanted to wear them, but In a modern way. So they sat in a box until I cut one up and sewed the back of a jacket. That was cool, but still not it. I met some artisans that made shoes and bags so I sketched up a few designs while sitting with them and they were great at translating my sketches into an actual product. Adding bags to the line has allowed me to help even more artisans than I had hoped for while sustaining an ancient art form. Every time I visit this town I notice the indigenous people are becoming more modern and I hope they continue to pass these skills down to their children. 

If you notice, under the handle there's a red design that looks like the sun. This was the neck of the huipil. Each huipil takes 2-3 months to weave, are all one of a kind, and often tell a story about the weaver and where she is from. Often, weaving is the only skill these women posses as they don't know how to read or write and make very little money to support their families. We purchase these huipils directly from the weavers and then turn them into hobo bags, tote bags, overnighters, cross bodies, wristlets and more giving them a sustainable income.

                  

                   And let's not forget the fringe. Perfect for all those festivals.

  When you want to travel light. Wristlets.

Notice how perfect each stitch is?

Close up

Peace, Love and Textiles!

*All Photos owned by Gypsies + Debutantes and may not be used or reproduced without consent.

Inkka

     What’s better than gorgeous patterned and jeweled bracelets? Well, let's be honest...not much! But Inkkas intricately patterned shoes are pretty darn close. Using fabrics from South America to make striking and hip shoes we think they are pretty cool.

                                                                             inkkas.com

                 
                                                                                                                      inkkas.com    

          
                                                                                                                              inkkas.com 
   

      Inkkas calls themselves “a team of dreamers” and are a certified B Corporation. This label means they are apart of a community that honors honesty and helping world issues such as poverty and climate change. Inkkas has created their own movement with their colorful shoes “OneShoeOneTree”. In order to help defeat deforestation Inkkas plants one tree for every pair of shoes they sell.

                                                      

                                                                                                                                  inkkas.com

          These shoes are available for men, women and children. There is a style to suit every taste; either exploding with vibrant colors or with subtle yet intricate monotones. Various styles include, slant, high top, mid top, oxford, slip-ons and low top.   

      Check them out at:  http://www.inkkas.com

 Bokja

There's nothing Gypsies and Debutantes loves more than colorful handmade art. Bokja brings handmade and beautiful together on a larger scale. Situated in Beirut, Lebanon, designers Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri reupholster furniture and make public art pieces out of old and recycled textiles and fabrics.

                                                                                                                                      hongisto.com

                               

                                                                                                                 

upholsteryjournalmag.com 

treehugger.com

                              

modenus.com    

According to the designers, "bokja" is a word commonly used in the Arab world meaning “the dowry of the bride”.  Family members would make hand embroidered items to give to a bride when she got married. These lovingly made gifts are put in the ‘bokja’ for the bride. Baroudi and Hibri make this wonderful old tradition hip and undeniably stylish. 

ft.com

Using fabrics from Italy, Africa, Palestine, Brazil, and Afghanistan, Bokja pieces catch the eye and heart. On top of making stunning home pieces such as chairs, Bokja has also made public art pieces. Below is one of their larger installations the, "Bokja Bug”. The bug was set up in Milan, Italy in 2010. The completely upholstered bug was Bokja’s debut installation.

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Bokja treats their pieces passionately and personally. Each item they bring life to has its own passport similar with the Bokja logo.  The passport contains the items nationality and day of birth.

Featured in dozens of blog and magazines including Flair and Elle Decorations, we highly suggest you give the Bokja website a peek. Even the layout of the website is as wonderfully quirky as their designs.