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About
By Luisa Villavicencio, this handsome sweater is cozy but lightweight. Ribbed textures are knitted of natural cotton in ivory with subtle green hues, with three capirona wood buttons. "My family cultivates cotton in several natural colors – jade, ixcaco (cocoa) and ivory, or crude cotton," the Guatemalan designer says. "In fact, people are surprised to learn that no dyes are used. The family is involved in the entire process, from growing the cotton, to weaving it and transforming it into apparel."
Product details
- 100% cotton, capirona wood buttons
- Features a button closure
- Machine wash separately in cold water
- Lay flat to dry or tumble dry on low heat
- 0.38 kgs
- 0.8 lbs
- Size: S,M,L,XL
- Size: S,M,L,XL
Meet the artist
"All our creations are 100% ecological, 100% natural undyed cotton that reveals the natural shades of the fiber. People are sometimes surprised to learn that we use no dying process at all."
"Nature gives the color and we give it shape….
"I'm a Guatemalan woman, born into a family where respect for the environment and for our country's culture have always been a part of our daily life. The story of why I'm here and do what I do is really the story of my whole family, beginning with my parents.
"My father was always passionate about growing cotton. No matter how small the harvest, no matter how bad the weather, he never wanted to raise coffee or corn or anything else. He was an agronomy engineer and was enthusiastic about cotton and with preserving the cultivation of a crop that originated with the Maya culture.
"Cotton used to be abundant in Guatemala but it's been slowly disappearing over the years. Today, our 17 acres of cotton fields are the only ones left in the country. We are the only cotton farm in Guatemala.
"All our creations are 100% ecological, 100% natural undyed cotton that reveals the natural shades of the fiber. People are surprised to learn that we use no dying process at all, but it's true. What's more, the color becomes more intense when the garment is washed.
"We work with only three pure colors. Apart from the crude cotton color everyone is familiar with, we also use a seed known as ixcaco in the Maya language. It originated in the mountains with the ancient Maya civilization and produces brown cotton. We call our third color jade. My father and brother researched a way to obtain it by modifying the brown cotton seed and they were able to!
"Some time ago, we began working with a company that recycles denim scraps and remnants on a large scale. Their process is free of chemicals and dyes and saves more than 5,000 gallons of water. This fiber is 100% natural and is biodegradable. Because we have a strong commitment to social responsibility and to the environment, we wanted to adapt this fabric to our apparel, using materials with an endless cycle of life.
"All our crop is destined for our own designs except for a small portion that we donate to the Ixchel Museum in Guatemala City. This museum works to preserve Guatemala's native textiles and clothing, a cause we strongly identify with. Also, my mother collaborated with this museum for many, many years because she had the soul of an artist and loved our country's textiles. She helped the weavers and it was there that she learned to work with them and teach them quality, design, etc. The teaching went both ways, as she'd tell me how much she learned from the artisans.
"In 1995, my father and brother founded our fashion workshop. Once they had achieved the colors and could manage their cultivation, they began thinking about the final product they could create with our cotton. They contacted artisans who gave them ideas, created samples, and the first designs were sweaters. They opened the retail shop we have today.
"Despite my mother's knowledge of weaving and textiles, she didn't want to become involved in my father's project. But he became ill in 2001 and so my mother decided to lend a hand with the work. We owe her our quality, our image and the design of our Maya cottons.
"My parents began this project and dedicated their entire lives to the work. There were no Sundays or holidays for them.
"I lost both my parents in a period of only two years. After my mother died, I decided to help my father with his work. He passed away just one year later. Those were very difficult times but I'm happy I can carry on their work.
"There are 80 artisans working with us. Some are civil war widows, others always felt that they couldn't do anything and we've been able to change that negative self image. Some of them work on a traditional loom, others in small family workshops… and of course others help cultivate the cotton.
"We couldn't leave all these people without jobs. A lot of families depend on us. I feel I have a great duty to them, to my parents and to my country, whose textile tradition should not be lost. And I'm happy to have a goal like this in my life.
"Today, I am the designer and we have a lot more items in our clothing collection because that's what I enjoy doing. My inspiration comes from the love my parents instilled in me for preserving our Guatemalan culture. Today, my greatest challenge is to keep my parents' story alive and expand our horizons."
This item was handmade in Central America by NOVICA artisan borrowers. Kiva lenders have helped these artisans stock up on materials, buy more tools and grow their businesses.
This item qualifies for FREE SHIPPING!
- Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
- Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
![](https://www.novica.com/2015/assets/images/storycard/modal-storycard.jpg)
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
Return instructions
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
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![](https://www.novica.com/2015/assets/images/sizeChart/ringsizeSample.jpg)
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.