Cultural Factors that Influence Design and Designers

Textiles production forms

Spinning and dyeing

Pushka

A drop spindle used by Quechua weavers for spinning.

Puskhay

The traditional Andean act of spinning.

Red

Very important colour to Andean people, bright and highly saturated

Cochineal

An insect found on prickly pear cacti, dried, ground, and boiled to produce red dye.

Yanali

A tree with bright orange bark used to make orange natural dye.

Textile art forms

Weaving and embroidery

weaving

women pass down the traditions and stories of their ancestors

Embroidery

used to create many motifs that convey traditional stories throughout Peruvian textiles

Importance of weaving

sits at the core of their culture, acts as a means of conveying thoughts and impression and also a recording of historical events

Lliclla

A traditional Quechua cape or manta used for carrying children is different in communities.

Chumpi

A traditional belt worn by women to fasten skirts or by men for back support.

Polleras

Wide skirts traditionally made from handwoven bayeta cloth, often layered.

Puyto

A colourful band trimming traditional Peruvian skirts that varies in size.

Peru in contemporary fashion

Many designers are inspired by Peruvian textiles' rich colours, prints and embellishments to create designs that combine traditional Peruvian textile with modern trends

External factors on Peruvian textiles

The economy, politics, social life, and environment

The economy

Dependent on the export of raw materials and the import of manufactured goods

Employment

Peru's textile industry employs approximately 250,000 people.

Alpaca exports

Peru provides 80% of the world's supply of alpaca wool.

Export of textiles

Manufactured textiles account for over 30% of Peru's non-traditional exports.

Politics

While Peru is rich in culture and resources, over half the population live in poverty

Social Life

Weaving/embroidery is a social act where family member weave and talk for many hours

Ecology and environment

Peru has 84 of the 13 existing ecosystems and 28 of the 32 climates on the planet

Pacchanta

a geographic location near cold mountain glaciers which provide mineral rich runoff that irrigates potato fields

Ayni

An Incan organisational principle of reciprocity.

Mita

An Incan organisational principle of labour tribute.

Ayllu

An Incan organisational principle of extended social networks.

Pagos

Traditional offerings made to mountain gods.

Resources available

Alpacas, sheep, pima cotton

Alpacas

Raised on the Andean plateau grasslands at altitudes above 3,500m, their fine fleece commands high prices globally

Sheep breeds

Corriedale, Junin and Criollo

Criollo sheep

The most adaptable and commonly kept sheep breed in high Andean conditions.

Peruvian Pima cotton

Cotton distinguished by exceptionally long fibres, double the length of standard cotton, producing strong, smooth textiles

Technological Advancements

Modern machinery advances Peru's manufacturing, injecting them into the global textile market, however the industry balances technology with traditional hand textiles to preserve traditional techniques

Inti Raymi

The Sun Festival honouring the Incan sun god Inti.

Aya huma mask

Worn along side colourful traditional costumer at the Inti Rayami

Skills

Weaving and embroidery skills are passed down through generations with children beginning spinning as young as 3/4 years old

Weaving age for girls

Peruvian girls typically begin weaving belts at age eight.

Dyeing skills

nearly lost due to the rise of synthetic dyes

Social Status

language and dress, rural workers, urban residents, clothing

Language and dress

Primary symbols of status and class distinction in Peru

Rural workers

Daily life is dictated by the agricultural cycle, centred on planting and harvesting seasons

Urban residents

Lower-income residents work 2-3 jobs within the informal economy, leaving little leisure time

Clothing

Urban Peruvians dress in Western-style clothing, and each Andean region has distinctive garments made from homemade textiles