Alejandra Challapa Alpaca Collection

Image: All images courtesy of Heritage by Hand. 

Heritage by Hand is a new, socially responsible lifestyle brand based in Santa Fe, New Mexico dedicated to collaborating with master artisans from around the globe to develop and promote sustainable clothing, accessory, and home product lines made by hand from natural, organic, and recycled materials. Co-founder Hilary Kilpatric describes how, “through our collaborations we hope to enrich and safeguard cultural heritage by sustaining jobs and incomes that respect the uniqueness of people and place. In bringing extraordinary products and stories to the global market, we strive to promote a culture-forward approach to both e-commerce and sustainable development.”

The ethos of Heritage by Hand is summed up by Heidi McKinnon: “Anything made by hand, no matter how large or small, carries an intention and energy that will enhance your life. The more we surround ourselves with that intention and share it with others, the closer we may be to finding a balance in our world and our collective lives.”

For their first winter season, the duo focus on wool and alpaca from Latin America, including a minimal, tonal collection of handspun and handwoven alpaca garments from Alejandra Challapa and her cooperative of Aymara weavers in Arica, Chile. Alejandra has dedicated her entire life to traditional four-peg and pedal loom weaving:

“From a very early age, I was familiar with the art of weaving and the varieties of natural fibers because my parents were camelid, llama, and alpaca ranchers. My childhood was dedicated to caring for animals and learning the whole process of preparing fiber, including shearing and spinning, to be able to make our traditional fabrics on a four-peg loom.”

Alejandra’s collection for Heritage by Hand includes a range of Aymara scarves, shawls, ruanas and ponchos in twelve natural colors of alpaca wool. Some are embroidered with subtle details and designs that symbolize the Aymara relationship with the natural world. Natural and butter soft, the collection is made sustainably and with care.

Follow @heritagebyhand on Instagram to view their range of heritage textiles and sustainable pieces for the home. For more information about Alejandra’s collection, visit the Heritage by Hand website.