THREADS OF PERU
Honouring Craftsmanship and Connection
In early October, Jeanne travelled to Peru, a country where textile traditions are deeply woven into both people and landscape. She was joined by Jimena, the newest member of the ZAZI team, who we met through Woven Women. She is based in Peru. Jimena brings extensive knowledge of local communities, production practices and the cultural bridges that connect them.
The Heart of Lima
Jimena visited Gamarra, it is the largest garment district in Peru and the biggest in all of South America. Gamarra is a dense, energetic hub where garment workers, pattern-makers, tailors and seamstresses keep Lima’s fashion industry moving. With ZAZI’s sample coats in hand, Jimena met with the pattern-maker, Rocío, who began developing the new pattern while Jeanne and Jimena were sourcing materials in Cusco. This ensured that the production chain could keep flowing seamlessly. Jimena also visited fabric vendors and selected natural linen to line the new sample of the Madina coat. With each trip into Gamarra, new opportunities arise: new fabrics, new techniques, new ways of reimagining what ZAZI pieces can become.
Into the Andes
From Lima, Jeanne and Jimena travelled into the Andes, where ancient weaving traditions are still practiced with extraordinary skill and intention. They visited Amaru Village in Pisac, the Chinchero community and the town of Patacancha. Each is known for its unique relationship with alpaca fibers, natural dyeing, and ancestral iconography. In every village, the stories embedded in the textiles were as important as the textiles themselves. The plants gathered for dyes, the symbolism woven into patterns, the alpacas roaming freely across the mountains whose alpaca wool forms the foundation of the craft.
For the upcoming collection, ZAZI partnered with the artisans of Chinchero, a circle of women, aged 17 to 54. It is led by Norberta Auccacusi Huamán. Guided by Jimena’s insight, alpaca textiles and linings were selected for their quality, origin and story. Each visit deepened the understanding of what lies behind every woven piece: time, patience and knowledge passed down through generations.
From the Andes to the Amazon
At the beginning of their time in Lima, before heading to the Andes, Jeanne and Jimena visited Cantagallo, an urban community that has become the cultural heart of the Shipibo-Konibo people who migrated from the Peruvian Amazon. It is founded in 2000 by families seeking opportunity while staying rooted in tradition, Cantagallo sits along the Rímac River, a reminder of their origins. Here, colour and story are part of daily life. The artists of Cantagallo paint traditional Shipibo iconography on tocuyo fabric and murals, create beaded necklaces using seeds and natural materials from the rainforest, and embroider textiles that carry the memory of the forest into the city. Their work reflects resilience, continuity and cultural presence in an urban landscape.
What Craft Really Means
As Jeanne and Jimena moved from Lima to the Andes, from Gamarra’s garment workers to Amazonian artists and high-altitude weavers, the journey revealed the heart of ZAZI’s work. Craftsmanship is not only about what is made, it is about the relationships, traditions and stories that shape it. True collaboration takes time, trust and respect. Through connections like Jimena’s and the communities she works with, ZAZI continues to create in ways that honour people, place and story. We’re so excited to share the Peru collection with you soon.
