Featured Interview: Wayuu Hammocks

January 24, 2018 1 Comment

Up next in our Interview Series is Wayuu Hammocks, a line of luxury handcrafted hammocks, each with a meaningful story behind it. After a career in fashion design, founders Alejandra and Sara Zuluagafelt the need to create their own project and were drawn to the Wayuu Tribe's culture and crafting skills that they were introduced to as young girls. Partnering with Wayuu artisans and others throughout Colombia, they launched their 100% handwoven hammock line that we're a bit obsessed with.

I love how each hammock tells a story of love and passion and supports the social and economic development of women and their families in Colombia, all while preserving their ancient techniques and culture. It's amazing that each hammock can take months to make. And the fringe and tassel accents? Love!! I can't think of a better way to kick back and relax, with a cocktail in hand of course. ;)

I hope you enjoy learning more about their brand and their story. XO, Crista

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An Interview with Alejandra Zuluaga, Wayuu Hammocks Founder & Designer

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Tell us about Wayuu Hammocks and what inspired you to work with the Wayuu tribe?

We are a team of crafters and designers dedicated to Luxury Hammocks. The Wayuu tribe is essential to the concept, they have had a tradition of giving hammocks as a luxury good for centuries, they call them (chinchorro).

For instance when a couple gets married, the groom's family will give a Wayuu Hammock (Chinchorro) to the bride's family as a symbolic compensation for the time, education and upbringing of the bride.

The quantity and quality of their chinchorros represents wealth and they exhibit it with pride. Not every chinchorro is the same. There are different techniques and levels of mastery, and they can take up to six months to make. None of them would be considered cheap.

In Colombia, Chinchorros are well known luxury crafts. They are normally displayed very proudly as statement pieces in homes, farms or beach houses.

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What is the inspiration for your designs?

The Wayuu graphic language is unique, full of intricacies, meaning and color. We keep a lot from our crafters traditional designs and infuse it with colors and shapes that are appealing to the international market. The hammocks that come from this tribe are one of a kind. Pieces take a lot of time. There is no office or production facility, only crafters that get lost in the desert and come out when the hammocks are finished.

We also work with other crafters from different areas of Colombia. Expanding has allowed us to discover many techniques and traditions while being able to offer pieces that we can reproduce in a shorter amount of time.

Inspiration is everywhere, Colombia is a country of colorful nature and magic realism that gives us the elements to keep creating forever.

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What part of creating and developing Wayuu Hammocks do you like the most?

It's been lovely to discover and get close to crafter families in Colombia. We celebrate their victories and try to help as much as we can when they have a problem.

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Tell us about the person who loves Wayuu Hammocks. What are a few words that describe their style and vibe?

The Wayuu Hammock lover can be classic, eclectic or a treasure hunter, but will always prefer to invest in meaningful pieces.

There is a story behind a product with heart, a thank you note, nice packaging, and a legend that makes your purchase a conversational piece.

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What is your proudest accomplishment to date?

We are very happy to feel the love and good energy coming from everywhere around the globe. Appreciation and great customers validate what we do. We are also extremely grateful that we can provide sustainable work for Colombian crafters and make a difference in their lives.

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Any fun facts we should know about you?

We are fashion designers. We worked for more than 10 years in the industry, and then decided to start this business. We love to make dresses from scratch. We wish there was more time for it!