Our Story
WHO ARE WE?
Artesanico’s objective is to promote native tribe craftsmanship from Colombia through its collections. We offer a wide range of 100% handcrafted fashion accessories, made in the purest and the noblest tradition of craftsmanship. We merge traditional techniques with modern crafted design for bold, empowered and full of life women.
This is also a social and ethical project, since we enable our suppliers to live well from their art by working directly with artisans communities across the country. This craftsmanship is usually their first source of income.
EXPERTISE
Each piece we create, benefits from a rare and ancestral expertise. Every Artesanico’s branded products are designed with 100% natural and hand-made materials, involving hours and days of work on one single product. We are highlighting a culture passed on from generation to generation through colorful collections, unique patterns and original shapes.
We are working directly with several native communities across Colombia. The Wayuu from the Guarija desert who are weaving our mochilas. The Zènu, from Cordoba County, creating hats and handbags in natural palm. The Aguadeños, coming from Antioquia, who produce the Cocora hats, more known under the name of Panama hats, made of Icara palm.
AN ANCESTRAL HERITAGE
The Wayuu culture
The Wayuus are American Indians living in the Guajira peninsula in northern Colombia. According to the Waleker tale, a spider taught the Wayuu women the art of weaving. This art highlights their perception of life, nature, spirituality and complies with the weaver aspirations. The mochilas are iconic handcrafted bags from the Wayuu community and comes in different sizes, patterns and colors. Each mochila represents a mindset and a life manifestation.
The Zénu culture
The natural palm products we offer are created by the Zénu community living in the natural reserve of San Andrés Sotavento, Tuchin, San Antonio and Sampues, located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The Zénu handcrafted accessories are made from natural fibers from the palm tree called caña flecha. They are dyed according to ancestral and natural methods, without adding any chemicals. The caña flecha are weaved by the men of the Zénu community, respecting ancestral manufacturing processes. This art is the first source of income for the community. Their iconic product is the Vueltiao hat. With its round design and its numerous geometrical patterns, it celebrates their clans.
STORY OF AN HANCRAFTED INHERITAGE
Aguadas is a Colombian city situated in northern department of Caldas, known for its exquisite climate and its craftsmanship. Its specialty is the iconic Aguadeño hat made of Icara palm.
It has its origin from an Ecuadorian who introduced the fabrication secret of this hat. Approximatively two centuries ago, he decided to move to Aguadas and to teach its inhabitants his expertise. Internationally, it is known as Panama hat but it is in fact from Montecristi, Ecuador. Its name comes from the construction of the Panama Canal. A large number of workers were wearing the Panama hat to protect themselves from the hit.
That is how this amazing craftsmanship was transmitted from generation to generation in Aguadas. The first artisans were men, but now women are also involved in this exceptional manufacturing process.
HOW DID IT START?
In 2015, Dayana Bonilla, a French Colombian entrepreneur created her own business in Bogota. During her journeys across Colombia, she discovered astonishing craftsmanship and cultural treasures throughout the country.
She was enchanted by these wonders and surprised that they are mostly unknown outside of Colombia. She decided to share these discoveries by starting a partnership with the Wayuu and the Zénu and introducing these products on the French market.
She began her first journey to meet them in person, to be able to start working with them directly without middlemen. In addition, Artesanico was born as a social project by combining fashion and ethical values.
