Sustainable Luxury, Craftsmanship and Vicuna Poncho
35
Fig. 2 Fiesta Nacional del Poncho 2016, San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, 18 July
2016. The Argentine Ministry of Culture was present at such national festival. Picture: Romina
Santarelli/National Ministry of Culture. Source Argentine Ministry of Culture. Duty-free Images
Around the cloak, the figure has an Andean cord with the “bird’s eye” design. A
sign of ancient times highlighted the presence of an ancient Andean motif recovered
by Crescencia Casimiro’s top-quality textile. As to Anita Suarez’s poncho, besides
the excellent weaving technique, the jury especially recognised the quality finishes.
Celestina Stramigioli said: “Outstanding, small, perfect stitches, a tiny embroidery
reminiscent of old times”.
18
The awards granted to both Co-operative artisans had an impact on the group.
“This was more exciting, because it helped us add more value to our textiles”, explains
Ramón Gutiérrez.
19 Besides, they were able to participate in the areas intended for
traditional artisans, and they received the best poncho award thanks to the excellent
pieces woven by artisan Zulema Gutiérrez, in 2015; Ana de Luján Suárez, in 2016;
and Zulema Gutiérrez, in 2018. In the last edition held in 2018, one of the greatest
Laguna Blanca master artisans, Doña Julia Guerra, was awarded the First Prize to
the Best Sheep Wool Textile Handicraft.
In connection with this experience, Cruz [6, p. 5] thinks that: “In the past editions
of the Fiesta Nacional del Poncho young women from the Puna who demanded the
end of ‘how much do you want to pay for my textiles?’ with their art as ‘vicuñeras’
(Figs. 2, 3 and 4). The jury rewarded and recognised both their works and craft growth,
18 Celestina Stramigioli’s speech at Fiesta Nacional e Internacional del Poncho the award ceremony
in 2013.
19 Ibid 6.
35
Fig. 2 Fiesta Nacional del Poncho 2016, San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, 18 July
2016. The Argentine Ministry of Culture was present at such national festival. Picture: Romina
Santarelli/National Ministry of Culture. Source Argentine Ministry of Culture. Duty-free Images
Around the cloak, the figure has an Andean cord with the “bird’s eye” design. A
sign of ancient times highlighted the presence of an ancient Andean motif recovered
by Crescencia Casimiro’s top-quality textile. As to Anita Suarez’s poncho, besides
the excellent weaving technique, the jury especially recognised the quality finishes.
Celestina Stramigioli said: “Outstanding, small, perfect stitches, a tiny embroidery
reminiscent of old times”.
18
The awards granted to both Co-operative artisans had an impact on the group.
“This was more exciting, because it helped us add more value to our textiles”, explains
Ramón Gutiérrez.
19 Besides, they were able to participate in the areas intended for
traditional artisans, and they received the best poncho award thanks to the excellent
pieces woven by artisan Zulema Gutiérrez, in 2015; Ana de Luján Suárez, in 2016;
and Zulema Gutiérrez, in 2018. In the last edition held in 2018, one of the greatest
Laguna Blanca master artisans, Doña Julia Guerra, was awarded the First Prize to
the Best Sheep Wool Textile Handicraft.
In connection with this experience, Cruz [6, p. 5] thinks that: “In the past editions
of the Fiesta Nacional del Poncho young women from the Puna who demanded the
end of ‘how much do you want to pay for my textiles?’ with their art as ‘vicuñeras’
(Figs. 2, 3 and 4). The jury rewarded and recognised both their works and craft growth,
18 Celestina Stramigioli’s speech at Fiesta Nacional e Internacional del Poncho the award ceremony
in 2013.
19 Ibid 6.