We're Back!... A very heartfelt hello from San Cristobal de las Casas!

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After a long hiatus, I write to you from the pedal-loom workshop of Kinal Antsetik, whilst the apprentices Angelina, Pascuala and Juanita (a talented new member) work around me weaving and warping, and the Cumbia plays out.  

Yes– I have officially dived back into the Rose Moreno world!   There are so many emotions going on for me right now, that I’m surprised I am able to string these sentences together.
 

Most of all joy, joy to be back in what I have truly realised is my happy place– creating and flowing with these incredible and unique craftspeople.

Nerves– it’s been a long time since I’ve developed fabrics with the artisans and you can never be sure of what the results will be, maybe with many more years of practice it will become more predictable, but for now it’s a case of navigating certain unknowns, trialling and managing expectations, whilst pushing to overcome obstacles and create the most exquisite textiles.  And well, that is the beauty of this very human process.

There is also a sense of pressure, I committed to this project, to myself and to these people all those years back, and I don’t want to be flitting in and out of this commitment, we have to take-off together, onwards and upwards.

In actual fact (being completely honest with you),  I wasn’t sure that I would pick-up Rose Moreno again, the last few years had taken me so far away (for personal reasons), and I couldn’t connect through the pain.

Everything was so fuzzy and recalling how hard it was to build an artisan brand from scratch, whilst driven by core values, was daunting.   But, it was just a question of time, healing and feeling again.

It was one session with my therapist that pushed me over the threshold– “What is stopping you?  You have everything you need, the foundations are laid!”.    Hanging up from that call, I immediately took out a piece of paper and started sketching away, in a bit of a frenzy, very raw, quick drawings.  I broke through that mental block and resistance.

Since that day, I have not stopped, and the butterflies– the good ones– have been coming fast and strong.  It feels good, but I am also being patient and letting things unfold organically.

So with great excitement, I can say that a new collection is in the works, so keep your eyes peeled!  I’ll be sharing as much as I can in the coming months.

This includes featuring more hand-embroidered work in our collection, collaborating with two new (to us) female artisan groups in Chiapas.  One group is from Ahuacatenango of Tzeltal ethnicity and the other is from Las Margaritas of Tojolabal ethnicity, the latter is in partnership with the female textile association Jolom Mayaetik that we’ve been working with for many years.  I can’t wait to share their work with you, their skills are truly incredible!

Oh, and I’m celebrating having just completed the Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania!   It was thought-provoking and enriching,  having afforded me new insights and frameworks to plan and implement social impact through for-profit and non-profit ventures alongside other current and future impact leaders.

Long term, equitable and inclusive social impact with Mexico’s marginalised indigenous artisan communities will be at the forefront of Rose Moreno’s agenda, along with effortlessly stylish and colourful womenswear.  So expect some more updates soon!

Lots of love to you all.

And, THANK YOU (a million times) for still being here!

 

Jessica 💗

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