This summer’s NY NOW coincided with the solar eclipse and although the moon over shadowed the sun, our ATA booth glowed with our bright orange walls and the beautify handcrafts made by global artisans.
This was the debut for ATA’s projects in Tlaxcala Mexico, China and Vietnam to exhibit their products while Pakistan, Chiapas and returned to showcase their new product lines with even greater innovation and creativity to impress the U.S market.
During this show, our local partner Indus Heritage Trust introduced five new lines. With its intricate storylines of folk tales, the Pakistani Tribal Collection of embroideries from Sindh was the best seller. The colors of desert and sand favored by artisans from that area were used to depict some of the commonly used motifs and patterns. The Suzani collection reflecting joyful floral patterns derived from a mix of influences from Punjab made these embroideries the second best sellers. An array of delicately embroidered Paisley patterned scarves and shawls, using local embroidery techniques of shadow work done on wool and Tukri technique, commonly used on cotton, but modified to wool, generated good sales and made a perfect match for the fall season.
Inspired by the blend of Art Deco design as well as ethnic elements Veero Home debuted a collection of hand embroidered clutches and bags and bold pillow designs in simple geometric patterns of neutrals and metallic hues. In addition, there were new designs in different embroidery techniques that met with positive feedback for innovative design techniques and product line.
First-time exhibitor, Vietnam’s Wooven , showed off batik designs on simple yet stunning tote bags. Made with traditional tie dye technique in hand woven cotton, the addition of leather handles lent a contemporary touch to the elegant bags. The soothing Indigo dyed Ikat stoles were delicately designed to be worn in a multitude of ways.
A traditional Chinese brand, Dancing Yak also exhibited for the first time and attracted people to the red and black felt wool pillow cases with the endless knot design as well as the table runners. However, the traditional Brocade fabric in turquoise, gold, and brown and the Pencil cases in the traditional Pulu design fabric were the best sellers.
Chiapas space featured cotton handwoven stoles with crochet borders and cushions in different textures in pastel hues and bold geometric patterns that had people thronging around it to have a feel. While there was a new range of throws with traditional motifs embroidered, the brightly colored pompoms were the most popular.
Another first-time exhibitors were Tlaxcala, Mexico artisans representing the communities of Contla, Chiautempan, Ixtenco, San Pablo del Monte, Calpulalpan and Panotla to exhibit at this August NYNOW, and their artisanal products met with great enthusiasm.
Elly Montserrat Castillo Guerrero, leader of “Iniciativa Artesanos Textiles de Tlaxcala” and the driving force linking the artisans to the State Government of Tlaxcala, stated: “NY NOW is the first venture into the international marketplace for the artisans of Tlaxcala. The state government of Tlaxcala is committed to continue the effort into the global arena for the great producers of craft in their state”. Together with the project’s group manager, Tania Espejel Macias, and two Tlaxcala artisans who personally talked to buyers about the products and production process at the ATA booth, it was a great feat for their artisans to showcase their handmade products at the hub of the international marketplace.
The vivid sequin clutch bags took center stage, featuring the historically significant rose motif used in the capes worn during Carnival. The tradition of “the rose” in the carnival of Tlaxcala dates to the beginning of the 20th century. This symbol was re-interpreted into embroidered and beaded high-fashion clutches as part of the new Tlaxcala product line developed by ATA designer Mimi Robinson. “It is important to preserve this part of our history, and we are excited to see a new interpretation of the design presented to an international audience at NYNOW” added Victor Morales, representative of the artisans benefitting from the initiative.
The high fashion clutches displayed in the ATA booth will become part of new Tlaxcala collections going forward. Big, billowy handwoven baskets with traditional white yarn were another big attraction from Tlaxcala artisans that drew buyers throughout the show.
