What began as a Kickstarter Descalza, meaning barefoot in Spanish, continues to serves as a reminder that no matter how far we move forward we never forget where we come from, and who is still at home.
Born in El Salvador and raised in North Carolina, Lisbeth Carolina Arias has woven her story as an immigrant of the United States into a clothing brand that is cherished by those who are proud of their heritage.
As a young girl growing up in rural NC, fashion design served as the first outlet that didn't have a language barrier. It was one she and her mother, a highly-skilled seamstress, could finally cross together. Arias studied Fashion and Textile Design at North Carolina State University, interned in community-focused brands in Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, and Italy, and worked for several fashion studios, including Vera Wang, in New York City all before starting Descalza.
Her love for people, especially those who humbled her, have inspired her to create a fashion label where hidden talent wouldn't go unnoticed and her community would be heard.
Expertise: Hand Weaving
Don Juan and his team from Textiles Barahona live in San Sebastian and specialize in hand weaving hammocks. Because of their 100% cotton yarns, we're able to use the fabric for our statement pieces.
Organization: Textiles Barahona
Expertise: Hand Embroidery
Guady Flores started her business in La Palma, El Salvador in 2016 with her partner and her mother. She is the daughter of two artisans and has grown up making and creating her entire life. When she was 14 years old, she began taking courses to improve her techniques and learned new ones that would help her generate income for her and her family. She feels that making is a way of transmitting feelings, culture, tradition, and not leaving aside our roots. She believes that each person who purchases a product carries a little seed of our country made by the hands of the people.
Organization: Artesanías Las Gemelas
Expertise: Hand Weaving
Diconte meaning, disenos contemporaneos de textiles (contemporary textile design) was founded by Carmen Pineda Fagioli, a graduate from the university Matias Delgado in El Salvador in Artisan Textile Design. Fagioli began Diconte in order to rescue a dying skill set that once was recognized in El Salvador but was slowly diminishing since the massacre of 30,000 indigenous people (La Matanza) in the 1930s. The patterns have been designed by Fagioli since 1983 but were elaborated and are woven by Jose Humberto Tobar (Don Chepe) and his assistant, Daniel Agusto Moran. Moran, 21 years old, has about three years of weaving with Diconte and continues to learn under the supervision of Don Chepe. Don Chepe our oldest artisan, has over 50 years of weaving experience and has devoted his time to teaching the youth to preserve the traditional weaving through practice and experience.
ORGANIZATION: DICONTE AXUL
Expertise: Indigo Dyeing
Hacienda los Nacimientos began in 1995 with the vision to develop and explore the natural resources and agro-industrial processes of El Salvador. Today they are one of the two organic indigo farms in the world. Rhina de Rehmann, owner of la Hacienda is dedicated to not only creating substainable tropical agriculture, but providing employment opportunties to local Salvadorians. Once the main producer of indigo in Latin America, El Salvador lost much of its resources due to the civil war. La Hacienda is making its mission to bring the title back but with a sustainable impact.
ORGANIZATION: HACIENDA DE LOS NACIMIENTOS
Expertise: Hand Weaving
Manuel de Jesus, his family, and the entire village just outside of Nahuala have been weaving for generations. They weave not only as a source of income but to maintain the traditions in their culture. Don Manuel’s family all speak Quiche, their native language. La Casa de los Gigantes met Don Manuel’s daughter many years ago when she was looking for a job. At those times she had to quit school since her family wasn’t able to afford the bus fare.Things changed once La Casa was able to provide work for Don Manuel. His daughter was able to finish school and works now as a teacher. His son also works as a teacher and hopes to one day travel and explore the world.
ORGANIZATION: CASA DE LOS GIGANTES
Expertise: Backstrap Weaving
During our trip to Perú in 2021, we were in search of the artisan women. We were fortunate to run into an artisan market where we met the women from La Asociacion Laraipas Indigenas de Amaru.
Vendor for: Aguayo Fabric
We met Sandra during our trip to Cuscó, Perú in 2021. When we came across her store, we were immediately welcomed with kindness. She was very open to explaining the fabrics she carries and taught us what the patterns represented. With what she makes selling these fabrics she's not only able to care for her family, but also share her passion for textiles with the world.
Vendor: Aguayos Cusco Perú
After our Kickstarter collection in 2017 we experienced difficulty with our manufacturers in North Carolina. They’re in such high demand and unfortunately aren’t always able to cater to young startups like us. Therefore, we went to the founder’s hometown, Sanford, to work with women who have the experience and passion to sew. Like many towns in NC, Sanford was known as a textile town; however, the jobs left but the people stayed. Now these women (the majority from Latin America) sew Descalza.
Brown and Church Important Neckwear was established in 1976 by Sam Brown and Bill Church as a classic neckwear collection for the better men’s specialty store. Few companies in any industry have the diverse heritage and longevity that they do. Their heart is in their history, while their minds are focused on the future. Their manufacturing facility was relocated from Manhattan, NY, to Sam’s home town of Pilot Mountain, NC in 1980. Known for its history in textile and apparel manufacturing, this region is seeing a revitalization of consumer interest in “Made in America” products and heritage brands. Their commitment has been and continues to be, maintaining the heritage of their brands and products, but also to excel in an industry that has struggled.
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