Michael Ainsworth/DMN
Blouses made from aluminum tabs hang on the racks at Walleska Ecochicc. Walleska Tepping began producing her collection three years ago. "I want to inspire people to continue creating out of resources that most people have discarded," she says. Walleska Ecochicc takes its name from Brazilian- American owner Walleska Tepping and the acronym for her business philosophy: "ecologically conscious organization celebrating, honoring, inspiring creative communities."
"I want to inspire people to continue creating out of resources that most people have discarded ... and to provide fair income to those people who are less privileged," Tepping explains.
The store showcases the expansive Walleska Ecochicc collection that she started producing and wholesaling three years ago. Highlights are hip clutches crafted from recycled aluminum pop-tops and contemporary earrings woven of wire and golden grass from the Brazilian desert. Most Walleska Ecochicc-brand accessories retail from $29 to $125. Low-income women in Brazil and Dallas make the products.
Fair-trade goods round out the boutique, including MooMoo Designs' change purses and bags made from fur remnants in Latin America and South Africa. Tepping also carries draped cotton dresses by Dallas designer Maristella Citelli, who is also from Brazil.
Right across the walk is CaritoCaró, a colorful bazaar of tropical hued bikinis, handbags, shoes and jewelry mostly made in South America.
Michael Ainsworth/DMN
CaritoCaró features children's shoes handcrafted by the Kuna people of Panama. Most of the store's items are made in South America. "I was in touch with tribes in Colombia and Venezuela, and I admire their art and designs and mixture of colors and textures," says Galvez, who moved to Dallas six years ago with her family. "I want to teach about other cultures."
Galvez worked with them to create fashionable styles that showcase the tribes' handcraft skills. Colorful embroidered molas by the Kuna people in Panama embellish sneakers and wallets, and Wayuu tribe members weave hippie-chic bags with straps long enough to cross the body. Galvez donates 5 percent of store profits to the Kuna and Wayuu tribes in addition to buying much of her inventory from them.
Among CaritoCaró's customers is Mary Bloom, a retail buying consultant and former buyer for Neiman Marcus, who picked up a pair of the mola sneakers for herself.
Katy Perry, Beyoncé and Rachel Weisz have all been spotted toting Wayuu bags, according to Us Weekly magazine. The bucket bags, some dangling tassels, take as long as seven weeks to make and are priced from $76 to $170.
"Nobody else has the same pieces because they are artisanal products that are never the same," Galvez says.
She buys most of her goods from South America, but the store also features handcrafted accessories from Israel, Turkey and Spain. The bikinis, made in Colombia, are cut in cheeky Brazilian style.
0 comments:
Post a Comment