about_us

WHAT WE BELIEVE IN

In KUSKAYA we believe in the rescue and preservation of traditional handcraft techniques, as well as the social development of distant rural communities while respecting their lifestyle and promoting hand made production.

Our designs consider the creative possibilities of the handcraft techniques and mingle them with contemporary trends, generating a constant renewal of these techniques. In this way, we reclaim the artisans’ work by making unique products that revalue the original quality of Peruvian handcrafts by placing them in the exclusive niche of the international market. In this scenario, we find clients that highly value and share not only our respect for handmade production but also our commitment with social development.

In order to obtain the highest quality in our products, we work with the most experienced artisans and use the finest materials at hand.

OUR STORY

This project was created in 2002 with the idea of joining our passion for design with ancient handcraft techniques and distinctive materials from Peru in a well-balanced and harmonic union.

KUSKAYA, a quechua word that means working together, was the chosen name for our new adventure, since the products we create are the result of a collective effort.

Years later, we are still focused in the same mission but as part of something bigger. Today we are the solidario brand of Textil El Amazonas S.A. BIC, the factory where TREN cotton yarns (the material we have always used) are produced. The artisans have developed with us and have been able to access better life conditions for themselves and their families. Our dream is that this project leaves important handcraft centres in faraway areas of our country, that help to preserve the art and identity of each community.

ARTISANS

Our wish is to be an active link between progress and tradition in Peru. Being conscious that tradition is maintained in the local surroundings, we respect the original place of the artisans. They work in their communities with the spirit of preserving what has characterized them for centuries.

The weavers with whom we mainly work live in a rural area of the northern state of Cajamarca, located in the Andes, in the midst of beautiful landscapes and surrounded by mountains, fields and farm animals. They weave on waist looms, an ancient tool they call callua. The Pima cotton yarn we use is combed and mercerized - it is the perfect complement for this skilful art, being both resistant and smooth which allows for an even and continuous weaving.

Weaver from Cajamarca using the Callua

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DESIGNER

Alessandra Gerbolini is the creator and designer of KUSKAYA. All the fabrics woven for our products have unique and original designs based on traditional waist-loom weaving techinques.

The different collections are inspired by a wide variety of themes that range from nature to art, from traditional handcraft to bold modern design. The main objetive is to have fun designing (holding nothing back), while finding new ways to develop waist-loom weaving and challenging the apparently limited technical options of this tool.