Developing this collection has always been a dream of mine, having long nurtured a desire to work with and empower the talented indigenous woman who I have always admired. These women live in their own “monte” bush, in the Litoral area of Argentina. They are one of the last native communities living remotely by their own customs in my homeland. They speak their own native language and lead lives that are deeply rooted in their traditional culture.
As a child I had an Aunt who would sell indigenous “Wichí” art and crafts, I remember admiring her stories, photographs and falling in love at a young age with the special earthy smell of “chaguar”, the natural fibre that these talented woman use for weaving the most intricate bags, baskets and textiles. For me, their weavings are art in all its forms – art that needs to be protected, preserved and empowered.
At Pampa, we work hard everyday to make this cycle of trading fair and sustainable. The more ongoing work we can provide for the communities, the more we are contributing to their growth and the building of wholly-sustainable communities and cultures. This rests at the heart of what we aim to achieve.
Since beginning to work with a Niwok local social enterprise, we have slowly learned more and more about this Wichí community and we have fallen deeply in love with their work and the chance to represent them with our Pampa collections. We are looking forward to our next trip back to Argentina, when we will drive endless kilometres through remote dirt roads in to meet them. To actually sit down together under the shade of a tree to just contemplate and learn from them. To learn the wisdom of a simple life that is deeply rooted in traditions of culture and folklore, to share the strong sense of place that we are so passionate about cultivating here at Pampa.
Victoria Aguirre
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