Gabriela Hearst knows how to give a good collaboration. For the designer’s spring 2022 collection, she partnered with Navajo textile artists Naiomi Glasses and TahNibaa Naataanii on woven swatches that were inset on chic dresses and trench coats. It was a thoughtful nod to the exquisite craftsmanship that’s often found within Indigenous culture. And for Earth Day, Hearst is only continuing this spirit forward. This time, she collaborated with Bolivian artisans on special, handcrafted bags (available now) that champion the idea of slow fashion.
View this post on Instagram
To bring her new multicolored, hand-crocheted bags to life, Hearst partnered with the nonprofit organization Madres & Artesanas Tex, which is comprised of mini-businesses led by Bolivian women—all of whom are dedicated to the production of high-quality handmade fabrics. “The craftsmanship that comes from Bolivia is one of the best in the world when it comes to knitting,” Hearst says. “But the project of Madres & Artesanas Tex has the added value of empowering women, and empowering women from my continent, from the Americas, makes me even prouder.”
View this post on Instagram
For the collection, Hearst reimagined two signature styles: The Nina and Demi, which retail for $3,900 and $4,500, respectively. “They have been our classic bags, and our top sellers,” Hearst says of the structured, top-handle purses. “If the goal is to empower through partnerships, we want to do it with something that is already a successful piece, which will elevate them even more.” The women created the bags in a vibrant cashmere that has been hand-crocheted. The crochet pattern was inspired by a sketch Hearst had created especially for the project. Each hand-knitted crochet bag took an artisan roughly three weeks to complete, bringing forward the idea that beautiful objects take time—and love—to create.
Though this particular accessories collaboration is tied to Earth Day, Hearst says she is constantly thinking of ways to approach fashion in a more thoughtful, sustainable way—it’s simply not a one-off gimmick for her. “I try to work for our environment every day of the year,” Hearst says. “We are at the tipping point of either progressing or looking at a catastrophe, but I am on the hopeful side of the spectrum. For me, this is a perfect project because it involves a social component, which is correlated to the health and development of our environment.”
Editor
Christian AllaireCredit
Lead Image: @gabrielahearst via Instagram
