Intiq has brought the handwoven designs of South America’s Wayuu tribe into the mainstream with its Mochila bag for J. Crew.
The indigenous Wayuu women handweave every bag using traditional techniques passed down through the generations. The attention to detail is superb, with each bag taking several days to produce. And as each one is handmade, every Mochila bag is a true original.
The intricate designs are traditional, but the bold color palette is exclusive to J. Crew. Modern fashionistas who embrace the tribal trend should warm to the vibrant hues and functional designs, which feature a generously sized main compartment and long 20-inch handle.
The collaboration between Intiq and J. Crew helps the Wayuu women preserve their local customs and raise important funds for their families and community.
At $295 they’re a bit more expensive than your everyday fabric bag. However that price isn’t unreasonable for such intricately woven designs. After all, SURevolution charged $325 for the Mochila bags it released last year, and the ones Valentino and Maison Martin Margiela created last year for the BeLive Wayuu Mochila Project went for $5000 a piece! I think those Intiq for J. Crew Mochila bags are starting to look very affordable, don’t you?
