Agustina Crossbody (Purple)

Size: 10" x 6" (adjustable, detachable crossbody strap)

Material: cotton and acrylic, cow leather strap and metal hardware

Handmade in Mexico

We don't like to pick favorites but if we did this bag would be it. If you are looking to add a pop of color to your summer wardrobe in the most unique way, try the Agustina Crossbody. Each textile panel is unique, woven by hand on a backstrap loom in Chenalho, Chiapas, by Agustina Pérez Gómez and other master weavers, and embroidered by hand in each woman's unique take on the huipil design traditional to their community. Each panel takes a month to embroider and while they are currently making more, they are extremely limited edition. The crossbody strap is detachable so it works as a clutch as well. Available in purple and red/multi.  Each one is unique: click here for images of available bags and email info@catrinka.com with your choice after purchase. 

Impact: each bag provides 7 days of work for women and 1 day of life skills mentoring for girls.

The woman behind the bag:

Agustina is a single mother of two daughters, who chose to leave her husband. She is a weaver, embroiderer and maker of pompoms (see our Agustina Tassel and the Chiapas Pom) from the Grupo Paz cooperative in Chenalhó, Chiapas. She is the de facto leader of the cooperative, and the NGO that works with the group reports that "she has changed almost everything in her attitude" since she started working with the cooperative - "she is more open-minded, and has self-confidence when she talks." Photos are of Agustina and of Marcelina, of the Grupo Amanecer cooperative, who also created textiles for this bag.

Behind the shoot:

On location in Havana, Cuba with Alexandra Gurskaya Pineda ("Sasha"). In one shot we really wanted to get the crashing waves, so Sasha called on Yemayá - the goddess of the sea in the Yoruban tradition which is carried on in Cuba - who answered with force! Check out our Instagram feed for photos of the aftermath (spoiler alert: Sasha got drenched from head to toe). Luckily she came away feeling blessed.