PRODUCT CATALOG 2017/2018

Transcription

1 PRODUCT CATALOG 2017/2018

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3 SHUAR ECUADOR Success isn t about how much money you make, it s about the difference you make in people s lives. -Michelle Obama Shuar Company s mission arises from a pressing cultural issue: the gradual extinction of a people s folkways, their ancestral knowledge, and the handcrafted art that has been the source of livelihood for the artisans of our country, Ecuador, since past centuries. Our efforts are aimed at preserving these traditions and improving the lives of the humble craftsmen and women we represent by sharing our heritage with you. Our Community Engagement Project is our commitment to artisan communities that are part of our team, with the purpose of enhancing their economic conditions and preserve Ecuadorian traditional arts and their ancestral techniques. We provide support to each artisan family individually by focusing on their specific necessities to improve both their living and working conditions. With this, they are motivated to continue with their activities and surrounding communities will form part of our team. Our project is meant to benefit multiple communities, organizing and uniting them to move together towards change. A percentage of our profit goes directly to this project as to keep our artisans involved, improve their lives significantly and save our heritage. We believe that every member of our team is equally important, so we will grow and become successful together. 3

4 Saving Our HERITAGE

5 Iconic Ecuadorian TOQUILLA HATS The finest existing toquilla straw hats are woven in Ecuador with a traditional technique that UNESCO recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Toquilla straws come from the Carludovica palm tree, which is particularly found in the Coastal province of Manabi, making Ecuadorian hats irreplicable anywhere else in the world. Before fibers are woven, they are classified, boiled and dried in wood fire to obtain their original beige color. The elaboration of each hat is completely by hand, taking an artisan from one to eight months to complete it, depending on its fineness. To determine the fineness of a hat, a measure called WPI (weaves per inch) is considered, the amount of threads woven per inch. The higher this number, the finer the hat. Hats that are produced in Cuenca have a lower WPI than those from Montecristi, and they are tinted with bright attractive colors, becoming stylish and modern premium accessories.

6 The Toquilla Hat weaving technique is a secret ancestral expertise that has been taught within families from generation to generation for 100 years.

7 SHUAR ECUADOR SHUAR ECUADOR Ingapirca Hat Grade: 7/8 fine weaving Shape: Classic Fedora Brim: 7 cm / 2.8 Sizes: S / M / L / X L Colors: Natural / White Completely handwoven in Ecuador with100% selected toquilla straws. 7 7

8 SHUAR ECUADOR Tomebamba Hat Grade: 3/4 Shape: Classic Fedora Brim: 6.5 cm / 2.6 Sizes: S / M / L / XL Colors: Natural / White / Dry Desert / Nature Green / Passion Pink / Ruby Red / Ocean Blue / Night Blue Completely handwoven in Ecuador with100% selected toquilla straws. 8

9 SHUAR ECUADOR Turi Hat Grade: 3/4 Shape: Classic Fedora Brim: 7 cm / 2.8 Sizes: S / M / L / XL Details: Hats are processed to obtain a vintage, worn style Colors: Vintage Kiwifruit Green / Vintage Raspberry Pink / Vintage Blueberry Blue / Vintage Tangerine Orange Completely handwoven in Ecuador with100% selected toquilla straws. 9

10 SHUAR ECUADOR Chordeleg Hat Grade: 3/4 Shape: Classic Fedora Brim: 6.5 cm / 2.6 Sizes: S / M / L / XL Colors: Natural / White / Red / Orange / Hot Pink / Black / Baby Blue & other pastels made to order. Completely handwoven in Ecuador with100% selected toquilla straws. 10

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12 Extravagant Ikat WOVEN DESIGNS The famous macanas from Cuenca are a type of fabric composed of 100% cotton threads, woven with a backstrap loom, a tool that has been used for many centuries. These fabrics are made into multicolored shawls or ponchos. Its cotton fibers are first tinted using a millenary technique known as Ikat, creating patterns through a knotting process. For natural dyeing, insects such as cochinilla, fruit peels, and plants are commonly used. Macanas are distinguished by their striking colors and extravagant designs. Moreover, they are a culturally symbolic piece of garment used by the Chola Cuencana and other indigenous from the province as part of their daily attire since past centuries.

13 The traditional Ikat weaving technique is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as declared by UNESCO in 2015.

14 SHUAR ECUADOR Cajas Light Poncho Materials: 100% fine cotton Design: Ancestral figures tinted with the Ikat process, V-neckline Colors: Bright contrasting colors or elegant black with colorful details Size: One Size Dimensions: Front and back body length: 60 cm / 23.6, Sleeve length: 30 cm / 11.8, Fringe length: 14 cm /

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16 Classy Ecuadorian ALPACA FIBER In order to bring to our customers the finest Alpaca fiber we have established an alliance with Paqocha, a company with a social vision and pioneer in processing alpaca fiber in Ecuador. They have been in the market for 12 years and produce 100% organic Ecuadorian alpaca products. They have an outstanding project involving the communities all over the Ecuadorian highlands. Indigenous women from the Chimborazo province shear the alpacas, perform a rigorous fiber selection process, and hand spin it into yarns. The ancestral technique of hand spinning fiber can only be found in a few communities nowadays and it once almost disappeared. These alpaca products are made of 100% organic, unaltered, natural fiber that is lanolin free and hypoallergenic. A handloom is used to elaborate some of these products, while others are handwoven by a group of women.

17 Hand spinning alpaca fur fibers is a method that once disappeared and is currently performed by indigenous women of small communities as their source of income and daily activity.

18 SHUAR ECUADOR Guamote Cape Materials: 100% selected Ecuadorian handspun alpaca Design: Cape with a front opening, ancestral patterns, cotton fabric border Colors: Natural alpaca colors: white, black, brown, and dark brown Size: One Size Front and back body length: 65 cm / 25.6, Sleeve length: 40 cm / 15.7 Guano Sweater Materials: 100% selected Ecuadorian handspun alpaca Design: Long sleeve sweater with front opening, ancestral patterns, cotton fabric border Colors: Natural alpaca colors: white, black, brown, and dark brown Size: One Size Front and back body length: 50 cm / 19.7, Sleeve length: 48 cm /

19 SHUAR ECUADOR Chimborazo Hooded Poncho Materials: 100% selected Ecuadorian handspun alpaca Design: Closed poncho with a hood, ancestral patterns, cotton fabric border Colors: Natural alpaca colors: white, black, brown, and dark brown Size: One Size Front and back body length: 60 cm / 23.6, Sleeve length: 48 cm / 18.9 Colta Short Poncho Materials: 100% selected Ecuadorian handspun alpaca Design: Short closed poncho, folded collar with side opening and two buttons, cotton fabric border Colors: Natural alpaca colors: white, black, brown, and dark brown Size: One Size Front and back body length: 60 cm / 23.6, Sleeve length: 48 cm /

20 SHUAR ECUADOR Alausi Infinity Scarves Materials: 100% selected Ecuadorian handspun alpaca Design: Closed, infinity scarves with ancestral patterns Colors: Natural alpaca colors: white, black, brown, and dark brown Size: One Size Dimensions: L: 160 cm / 63, W: 36 cm /

21 SHUAR ECUADOR Chambo Long Scarf Materials: 100% selected Ecuadorian handspun alpaca Design: Opened long scarf with fringes at the ends, ancestral patterns Colors: Natural alpaca colors: white, black, brown, and dark brown Size: One Size Dimensions: L: 195 cm / 76.8, W: 55 cm / 21.7, Fringe length: 12 cm /

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23 Iconic Ecuadorian FINE TOQUILLA HATS The so called Panama Hat is not from Panama, but originally from Ecuador and is the finest in the world. This wrongly and undeserving name was given in 1906 when Theodore Roosevelt was seen wearing an Ecuadorian Toquilla Hat during his visit to the Panama Canal construction. Ever since these fine hats became globally renowned due to their lightness and breathability, as well as their unique hand woven design. Genuine toquilla straw hats are woven in Ecuador with a traditional, ancestral technique that UNESCO recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Toquilla straws come from the Carludovica Palm Tree, which is particularly found in the Coastal Province of Manabi, making Ecuadorian hats irreplicable anywhere else in the world. The elaboration of each hat is completely by hand, taking an artisan from one to eight months to complete it, depending on its fineness. The most luxurious and premium hats in the world are produced in the coastal town of Montecristi. Their natural palm tree fiber colors are preserved rather than being tinted.

24 Weaving a single toquilla straw hat is an extremely lengthy process, taking 15 days just to prepare its raw materials, a crucial step in the process.

25 SHUAR ECUADOR Machalilla Hat Grade: Super Fine (20+ WPI) / Extra Fine (30+ WPI) / Ultra Fine (40+ made to order only) Shape: Avocado Brim: 7 cm / 2.8 Color: Natural Sizes: S / M / L / XL Finely handwoven in Montecristi, Ecuador with 100% selected toquilla straws. 25

26 SHUAR ECUADOR Los Frailes Hat Grade: Super Fine / Extra Fine / Ultra Fine Shape: Diamond Brim: 7 cm / 2.8 Color: Natural Sizes: S / M / L / XL Finely handwoven in Montecristi, Ecuador with 100% selected toquilla straws. 26

27 SHUAR ECUADOR Isla de la Plata Hat Grade: Super Fine / Extra Fine / Ultra Fine Shape: Colonial Brim: 7 cm / 2.8 Color: Natural Sizes: S / M / L / XL Finely handwoven in Montecristi, Ecuador with 100% selected toquilla straws. 27

28 SHUAR ECUADOR Jipijapa Hat Grade: Super Fine / Extra Fine / Ultra Fine Shape: Classic Fedora Brim: 7 cm / 2.8 Color: Natural Sizes: S / M / L / XL Finely handwoven in Montecristi, Ecuador with 100% selected toquilla straws. 28

29 SHUAR ECUADOR Puerto Lopez Hat Grade: Super Fine / Extra Fine / Ultra Fine Shape: Hacienda round Brim: 7 cm / 2.8 Color: Natural Sizes: S / M / L / XL Finely handwoven in Montecristi, Ecuador with 100% selected toquilla straws. 29

30 GRADE 20 + Our Montecristi hats come in distinct qualities, super fine, extra fine and ultra fine. What dinstinguishes them is their grade or weaves per inch (WPI) measure. We have them in a grade 20+ (super fine), 30+ (extra fine) and 40+ (ultra fine).

31 Grade 30 + As the grade increments, the tougher it becomes to distinguish its threads with the sight. Our ultra fine hats are the absolute finest in the world, and are made to order, requiring 8 months to a whole year to complete each.

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33 Fancy SHIGRA BAGS Shigra bags are made with natural fibers coming from an Agave Plant that only grows in the highlands of the Andes. These fibers are manually tinted color by color with a firewood cooking process and every bag has its unique, multicolor design. Most shigras have ancestral indigenous patterns with historical meaning and they are handwoven, taking up to one month. They are usually produced by indigenous women while their animals graze on the highlands.

34 Due to their greatly resistant material, shigra bags are still used by indigenous people to transport their goods to markets and plazas for trading purposes.

35 SHUAR ECUADOR Cotacachi Shigra Materials: Selected handwoven natural agave fibers Straps and details: Genuine Ecuadorian Premium cognac leather and wheat color suede, suede tassel with hand stitched orange details Base: 100% reinforced Ecuadorian suede leather Colors: Multicolor, one of a kind indigenous patterns or single color Average Bag Dimensions: 33 cm / 13.0 tall, 41 cm / 16.1 wide, 68 cm / 26.8 strap 35

36 SHUAR ECUADOR Cuicocha Shigra Materials: Selected handwoven natural agave fibers Straps and details: Genuine Ecuadorian Premium cognac leather and wheat color suede, suede tassel with hand stitched orange details Base: 100% reinforced Ecuadorian suede leather Colors: Multicolor, one of a kind indigenous patterns or single color Average Bag Dimensions: 33 cm / 13.0 tall, 41 cm / 16.1 wide, 68 cm / 26.8 strap 36

37 SHUAR ECUADOR Cotacachi Shigra Materials: Selected handwoven natural agave fibers Straps and details: Genuine Ecuadorian Premium black leather and black suede, suede tassel with hand stitched orange details Base: 100% reinforced Ecuadorian suede leather Colors: Multicolor, one of a kind indigenous patterns or single color Average Bag Dimensions: 33 cm / 13.0 tall, 41 cm / 16.1 wide, 68 cm / 26.8 strap 37

38 SHUAR ECUADOR Cuicocha Shigra Materials: Selected handwoven natural agave fibers Straps and details: Genuine Ecuadorian Premium black leather and black suede, suede tassel with hand stitched orange details Base: 100% reinforced Ecuadorian suede leather Colors: Multicolor, one of a kind indigenous patterns or single color Average Bag Dimensions: 33 cm / 13.0 tall, 41 cm / 16.1 wide, 68 cm / 26.8 strap 38

39 SHUAR ECUADOR Shigra Interiors Materials: 100% cotton canvas of a bright well-balanced combination of orange and pink. Details: One large zip pocket and two opened pockets with leather boarders, secures with a magnetic snap closure 39

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41 Exotic Handloom GARMENTS The handloom is the most antique and essential tool for Ecuadorian indigenous communities that has been in use for many years to create a great variety of textiles and garments sold at town markets. One of the most popular garments made with this technique is the indigenous wool Poncho, an icon of their culture that many still wear today. Using a handloom is not a simple task since the material used is first positioned in a certain order, thread by thread, to create desired patterns and color combinations. Textiles are woven manually by moving the threads up and down with a foot mechanism, while threads are manually passed between them.

42 Wooden handlooms are complex tools that are generally constructed by the artisans and are made in different sizes depending on the desired product.

43 SHUAR ECUADOR Peguche Shawl Materials: 100% fine cotton Design: Indigenous diamond patterns Collection: Pastels tones Dimensions: L: 180 cm / 70.9, W: 67 cm / 26.4, Fringes: 14 cm /

44 SHUAR ECUADOR Peguche Shawl Materials: 100% fine cotton Design: Indigenous diamond patterns Collection: Elegant, bright tones Dimensions: L: 180 cm / 70.9 W: 67 cm / 26.4, Fringes: 14 cm /

45 SHUAR ECUADOR Cayambe Poncho Materials: 100% Andean wool Design: Hand stitched classic V-neck or hand stitched modern opened neck Colors: Bright and neutral colors combined to create contrasts Sizes: One size Dimensions: Front & back body length: 86 cm / 33.9, Sleeve length: 40 cm / 15.7, Fringes: 56 cm /

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47 Stunning ZULETA EMBROIDERY Hand embroidery from the town of Zuleta is a complex and extravagant art that has been a form of ornamental expression for centuries. A community of women are dedicated to this activity as a source of income and they do it from their homes. Before designs are woven by hand using cotton threads on garments or decorative items, they are first drawn with a pencil resulting from the artisan s imagination. Ancestral patterns, capturing Ecuadorian history, have been gradually replaced with modern designs as time goes by. An artisan needs from one to two months to embroider each item, depending on its size and choice of colors. Embroidery from Zuleta is distinguished by its application of bright colors and detailed designs.

48 Embroideries from Zuleta were originally used as decoration for the attire of Zuleteñas or indigenous women from the community. Its unique style is part of their cultural identity and has persisted to this day while other folkloric art has dissolved.

49 SHUAR ECUADOR Zuleta Blouse Materials: 100% fine cotton fabric and cotton thread embroideries Embroidery: Worldwide known Zuleta hand embroidery of complex designs Color: White fabric with red or blue embroideries Sizes: S / M / L La Merced Blouse Materials: 100% fine cotton fabric and cotton thread embroideries Embroidery: Worldwide known Zuleta hand embroidery of complex designs Color: Black fabric with coral or ivory embroideries Sizes: S / M / L 49

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51 Delicate Cotton AND LACE CREATIONS Cotton fabrics and laces are sewn together to create elegant garments that don t resemble each other. These textiles are carefully selected and cut manually to create a well balanced and unique combination through a rigorous process. The result is a white blouse or dress with unique subtle lace patterns and solid fabrics that feels fresh when worn and is ideal for warm days.

52 Working at her workshop at home, this artisan needs around days to complete each item since the process is absolutely manual.

53 SHUAR ECUADOR San Pablo Sleeveless Blouse Yambo Sleeveless Dresses Materials: 100% fine cotton Design: Sleeveless dress of a solid white fabric and lace combination Colors: All white Size: XS / S / M / L / XL Quilotoa Long Sleeve Blouse Materials: 100% fine cotton Design: Long sleeve blouse of a solid white fabric and lace combination Colors: All white Size: XS / S / M / L / XL Materials: 100% fine cotton Design: Sleeveless blouse of a solid white fabric and lace combination Colors: All white Size: XS / S / M / L / XL 53

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55 Thank You for Saving OUR HERITAGE

56 Shuar Company thanks the entire team who was involved in this production. It is the result of masterful abilities combined to express the richness and beauty of Ecuadorian tradition and culture, a heritage that is very important to us. Headquarters: Elia Liut Oe3-144 y Brasil. Quito, Ecuador Contact: / / shuarcompany@gmail.com shuarcompany.com Shuar Company Ecuador shuarcompany_ec Photography: Rosa Saa Julio Torres ( Make-up artist: Daniela Cordova Catalog design: Francesca Magnoler Production Location: Hacienda La Merced Alta. Zuleta, Ecuador

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