Sustainable Luxury, Craftsmanship and Vicuna Poncho
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Moreover, the craft production of these communities—handicrafts—is the vehicle
for artisans to express their entire history, wisdom, values and dedication. “Goods
embody aesthetic features and production technologies enmeshed in artisans’ local
traditions” [16: 14]. Artisans’ social mobility and financial self-sufficiency are quite
diverse. For example, “vicuñeros” [vicuña fibre weavers] are aware of the (economic)
value of vicuña and its woollen by-products.
In terms of their craft, as years go by they run the risk of becoming lost to the implementation of more efficient methods, or to the discontinuance of certain practices
due to their failed introduction into the global market. Therefore, sustainable luxury
offers an opportunity to revalue and recover these forgotten customs, giving artisans
the possibility of both expanding and continuing with their legacy. In addition to
empowering artisans, sustainable luxury supports cultural diversity by showing the
world different production methods while enriching the cultural heritage. “The result
is that traditional craft serves to meet the social, cultural and increasingly economic
needs of emerging economies, but it can also serve to bridge cultures” [15: 392].
The following chapter will focus on Cooperativa Laguna Blanca’s vicuña poncho—its handcrafted quality, symbolic character and how sustainable luxury may
expand the horizons of social work.
2 The Poncho
2.1 Introduction
The poncho is a simple, functional garment that is part of traditional clothing in different places throughout the world. It was originally worn by American aboriginal
peoples. This is a traditional garment of the region, handcrafted in different materials—generally natural fibres—associated with the geographical place and ecosystem
where the poncho is created.
The poncho is a classical piece of criollo clothing which represents Argentine gauchos. Beyond its use as a piece of clothing, the poncho is attributed to a characteristic
role in the country cultural heritage and found in historic photographic documents as
represented in pictures, music and literature. As a figure, it encompasses tradition,
homeland, culture and skilled craftsmanship. Against this framework, it stands out
as an all-encompassing element and, in as far as it preserves its indigenous roots, it
survived and consolidated its image during the colonial era.
2.2 The Poncho: History and Cultural Value
While the garment is characterised by shape simplicity, the traditional poncho evidences major technical craft complexity. Today, it is a globally used—and even
27
Moreover, the craft production of these communities—handicrafts—is the vehicle
for artisans to express their entire history, wisdom, values and dedication. “Goods
embody aesthetic features and production technologies enmeshed in artisans’ local
traditions” [16: 14]. Artisans’ social mobility and financial self-sufficiency are quite
diverse. For example, “vicuñeros” [vicuña fibre weavers] are aware of the (economic)
value of vicuña and its woollen by-products.
In terms of their craft, as years go by they run the risk of becoming lost to the implementation of more efficient methods, or to the discontinuance of certain practices
due to their failed introduction into the global market. Therefore, sustainable luxury
offers an opportunity to revalue and recover these forgotten customs, giving artisans
the possibility of both expanding and continuing with their legacy. In addition to
empowering artisans, sustainable luxury supports cultural diversity by showing the
world different production methods while enriching the cultural heritage. “The result
is that traditional craft serves to meet the social, cultural and increasingly economic
needs of emerging economies, but it can also serve to bridge cultures” [15: 392].
The following chapter will focus on Cooperativa Laguna Blanca’s vicuña poncho—its handcrafted quality, symbolic character and how sustainable luxury may
expand the horizons of social work.
2 The Poncho
2.1 Introduction
The poncho is a simple, functional garment that is part of traditional clothing in different places throughout the world. It was originally worn by American aboriginal
peoples. This is a traditional garment of the region, handcrafted in different materials—generally natural fibres—associated with the geographical place and ecosystem
where the poncho is created.
The poncho is a classical piece of criollo clothing which represents Argentine gauchos. Beyond its use as a piece of clothing, the poncho is attributed to a characteristic
role in the country cultural heritage and found in historic photographic documents as
represented in pictures, music and literature. As a figure, it encompasses tradition,
homeland, culture and skilled craftsmanship. Against this framework, it stands out
as an all-encompassing element and, in as far as it preserves its indigenous roots, it
survived and consolidated its image during the colonial era.
2.2 The Poncho: History and Cultural Value
While the garment is characterised by shape simplicity, the traditional poncho evidences major technical craft complexity. Today, it is a globally used—and even