Zenú
Made from natural cane and centuries-old techniques, Zenú hats blend heritage and elegance.
Stories in Every Stitch
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Vueltiao Hats
Desert Breeze Sombrero Vueltiao
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Small Hats
Cowboy Black Dark
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Small Hats
Flecha Teardrop Crown Hat #104
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Here are some questions that are interesting and worth exploring:
The Wayuu mochila is a traditional bag from the Wayúu indigenous people of La Guajira, Colombia. Hand-stitched by skilled artisans, these vibrant bags represent Wayúu culture and serve a practical purpose. Each mochila is a unique work of art, symbolizing ancestral traditions. Today, it is internationally recognized for its beauty and craftsmanship, showcasing the rich artistic heritage of the Wayúu people.
In the present day, all Wayuu bags are crafted using acrylic material. This acrylic is procured from renowned thread manufacturers who specialize in producing a vast array of vibrant colors. This ensures that Wayuu bags are available in a wide range of hues to cater to diverse preferences.
The skilled Wayuu artisans use a crochet needle to wrap knots around threads, creating colorful bags that represent their cultural heritage. This technique adds beauty and durability to purses.
The time required to weave a long Wayuu bag can vary depending on the method used. The bag can be crocheted with either one or two strands of thread. When weaving with one strand, an artisan, depending on their skill level, can take anywhere from 18 to 25 days. This method produces a neater weaving pattern, and only a few artisans choose to weave with one strand. In contrast, weaving a long Wayuu bag with two strands of thread can take approximately 10 to 15 days. The resulting fabric is thicker, and more artisans prefer this method of weaving.
Typically, the production of a single mochila involves both men and women. Specifically, the man is responsible for making the strap, while the woman is in charge of crafting the bucket bag.
The Pueblo Arhuaco is located in northern Colombia, in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
The colors used to weave the mochilas are earth tones, which include shades of brown, beige, black, and gray. Initially, these mochilas were woven using natural fibers sourced from the Arhuaco lands, such as agave, cotton, and sheep wool.
In the Arhuaco culture, only women weave, while men are dedicated to agriculture. Girls start weaving at the age of 4 in order to preserve their culture. The backpacks they weave are all white and symbolize the purity of their soul and the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. These bags are called Bunsi, and the weaving technique is known as “point to point” because it involves creating knots using a capotera needle.
We are convinced that the balance of humanity comes from the respect for other beings and cultures. We consider our home, the tall Sierra, to be the heart of the world and all organisms to be our siblings. Every element that comes from the earth has a spirit and a purpose.
As the inhabitants of this land, we are known as the older brothers and have the mission of preserving the world and its harmony. Those who reside outside of the Sierra are known as younger brothers. We believe the world is dying because our younger brothers are not interested in protecting the Earth.
The sombrero Vueltiao is more than just a hat; it is the traditional straw hat of Colombia and a significant fashion symbol in the country. Its popularity is such that in 2004, the government declared it a national symbol. This sombrero is an iconic fashion accessory. It is crafted from caña flecha, a tall grass native to the Caribbean coast.
The Zenu tribe is known for producing and circulating the Vueltiao Hat, but in the town of Tuchin in Cordoba, it is known as the capital of the Vueltiao hat. It is a village where artisans produce more than 1,000 Vueltiao hats a day. Despite having a population of only 40,000 people, 90% of them work in this specialized production.
I am proud to know that international personalities such as Pope John Paul II, during his visit to Colombia in 1986, Bill Clinton in 2000, and Prince Charles of England in 2014, have all received the Vueltiao Hat as a symbol of welcome to the country. Additionally, in the movie “On Golden Pond,” the renowned actress Katharine Hepburn wore a Vueltiao H
We only work with fiber 23, which is one of the highest quality fibers available. While traveling in Colombia, you’l commonly see sombreros made with fiber 19. However, I personally prefer not to use that lower- quality fiber, I want to bring you the finest nost beautiful products possible. Let me explain the different types of fiber that exist.
The quality of the hat is determined by the number of pairs of fibers braided together to make the hat and its “flexibility”. The more flexible the hat is, the higher quality it is.
Here, we will show you the number of pairs of fibers braided.
The Quinciano is the most commercially available Sombrero Vueltiao and also the least expensive. These hats, made in just three days, are loosely woven together and use only 15 pairs of caña flecha strips to make the weave.
The Diecinueve uses 19 pairs of caña flecha strips, producing a finer braid that results in a softer and finer sombrero. It can take up to one week to produce a Diecinueve.
The Veintiuno takes 21 pairs of caña flecha strands per weave and is much finer than the Quinciano and the Diecinueve. These hats are usually custom-made to order and take 10 to 15 days to produce by hand.
The Veintitres is made of 23 pairs of caña flecha strips. The Veintitres, like the Veintiuno, is very fine and notably softer and lighter than the above. It takes from 12 to 20 days to make this sombrero by hand.
The Veintisiete is the finest sombrero available, and these are the hats we have! They use 27 pairs of caña flecha strips. Our hats can be rolled up and packed without being damaged, just unroll and reshape. The weave is very dense and is soft to the touch. The Veintisiete is the most expensive Sombrero Vueltiao and can take up to a month to produce by hand.
We were instantly captivated by the designs of the vueltiaos, as well as the other traditional caña flecha weavings of the Zenú. We knew right away that we had to bring these pieces to you.
[Whether you’re going on a BFF’s getaway or heading to a music festival, remember to add this wide-brimmed sun hat to complete your look. This stylish straw woven hat not only looks amazing, but also offers the sun protection you need.]
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