Caralarga Style Voice: Celebrating Women's Craft

We asked Ana Holschneider, founder of textile design studio Caralarga, to share her style voice, highlighting and celebrating women's craft and the role women play in her brand and practice.

What inspired you to start the textile workshop, Caralarga?

The idea for Caralarga began spontaneously in 2014 when I was visiting the old El Hércules textile factory in Querétaro, Mexico. I saw the surplus of cotton threads from the factory's production and was inspired. I realized these discarded materials - waste from tiny production errors - could be given a new purpose.

This led me to rethink waste as a medium to create something beautiful, timeless, and sustainable. Together with Socorro Gasca, master artisan, we started by using these raw cotton threads and textile scraps to create unique jewelry and apparel.

As we evolved, we discovered other natural materials, such as fibers from the sansevieria plant and recycled bullhorn. Our workshop is still located in the historic El Hércules factory, which was founded in 1846. The space itself and the history of the people who worked there continue to be a constant source of inspiration.

Our team has grown, and we now work with local artisans who were trained by Socorro Gasca. Together, we've developed the techniques to create larger pieces for home decor, all the while highlighting the natural beauty of our materials. The design process is a collaborative effort between our young, talented designers, myself and our artisans. This teamwork brings our beautiful creations to life.

Where does the name Caralarga come from?

The name Caralarga comes from a character in the book Corazón de Piedra Verde by Alfonso Madariaga, which tells the story of the Spanish Conquest. It's an indigenous name for a rower, and my husband used to call me by this name.

What ancient (women’s) crafts inspire your practice today?

We are deeply inspired by ancient crafts that connect us to the persons who came before us. Macramé is a key technique, which has been practiced by women for centuries. We also find inspiration in embroidery and weaving, as well as pre-Hispanic traditions that used natural fibers to create beautiful and functional objects. These crafts are more than techniques; they are a way of preserving history and telling stories through the hands of women.

Are there particular materials or techniques that feel especially meaningful to you?

The most meaningful material to us is raw cotton thread. Its simplicity allows us to highlight its natural beauty. Our repurposing technique, where we use leftover thread, is also incredibly important. It's how we honor the entire production process, ensuring nothing goes to waste and every piece is sustainable. We also use sansevieria fibers, which we source through a collaboration with Taller Maya and a community in Campeche that works to preserve this ancient, complex technique.

How do you innovate within a traditional / ancient craft?

We innovate by blending tradition with a modern vision. We start with ancient techniques, like macramé, and then we experiment. We use unconventional materials like paper-mâché and leftover cardboard to create new shapes and textures. This commitment to continuous experimentation allows us to evolve traditional techniques and adapt them to create modern designs.

What role does storytelling play in your craft?

Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do. Each piece has a story - from the material, which is 100% Mexican cotton, to the artisans who crafted it. We tell stories of our culture, our community, and our commitment to sustainability. Every knot and every design choice is a reflection of our journey and values, allowing us to connect with our customers on a deeper level.

Were there women in your family or community who inspired your work?

Yes, absolutely. The women in our community are a constant source of inspiration. Many of our artisans are descendants of people who worked at the historic El Hércules textile factory, and their stories and strength are woven into our work. We are also inspired by our mothers and grandmothers, who taught us the value of hard work and the beauty of handcrafted objects. We also draw inspiration from Mexican artisans across the country, as well as contemporary textile artists around the world.

What women artists or makers have influenced you most?

We are influenced by many women artists and makers who have used their craft to challenge norms and tell powerful stories.

Does your craft connect you to your roots or ancestors?

Yes, our craft is a profound connection to our roots and ancestors. By working with natural materials and traditional techniques, we honor the legacy of the people who have worked with textile materials for generations through México (Chiapas, Oaxaca, Querétaro, Hidalgo,Yucatán) and of course all over the world. Our workshop is in the historic El Hércules textile factory, which connects us to the industrial history of our community and the generations of workers who built it. This link to the past grounds us and gives our work a sense of purpose and inspiration.

How do you use your work to empower other women?

By providing fair and stable employment, we give our artisans the opportunity to develop their skills, earn a fair wage, and gain economic independence. We also create a supportive and collaborative environment where women can learn from each other and build a strong community. Our work is a platform to celebrate the talent and strength of women and to show that traditional crafts are tools for empowerment and joy. 

In addition, we have been working on a course whose objective is to have the handcrafted work done at Caralarga be a recognized form of learning that provides certification for skills acquired through practice. Liliana Viveros (Production Manager), Socorro Gasca (Master artisan and Head of Production) and engineers of the IPN (Instituto Politécnico Nacional), Ana Maria Lara and Omar Valle,  have worked for more than a year in developing this course for the certification.

The program seeks to formalize the learning of Caralarga's artisans, offering a certification of their skills.

Upon successful completion of this training course, Caralarga's artisans will receive a training certificate issued by an instructor certified in the EC0301 standard by CONOCER (National Council for Standardization of Labor Competencies).

This means that the certification will be endorsed by CONOCER, an official Mexican body, which gives it national validity.

Therefore, this training recognizes the skills acquired and perfected in their activity, so the endorsement of this course will help in the process of obtaining an additional certificate from the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.

The certification will also help in obtaining an additional document from the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, which reinforces the recognition of their experience.

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement and professional development, a follow-up will be established to provide the opportunity to obtain formal recognition. This will be a step beyond the certificate of skills, consolidating the recognition of mastery and compliance with standards of excellence in handcrafted textile manufacturing. In addition to being registered with the STPS (Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare).

The aim is to go beyond the initial certification, offering the possibility of obtaining a master's recognition, which consolidates their professional career and the quality standards of handcrafted work. This recognition will be registered with the STPS, which will give it official value.

What advice would you give to young women starting their creative journey?

Our advice would be to embrace experimentation and trust your unique vision. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; they are a crucial part of the creative process. Learn from your traditions, but also have the courage to innovate and find your own voice. Most importantly, build community, this will give you strength.

How do you see women’s craft contributing to the broader cultural or economic landscape?

Women's craft is a powerful force that contributes significantly to the cultural and economic landscape. Culturally, it preserves traditions, tells stories, and keeps a sense of history alive. Economically, it creates fair jobs, supports local communities, and offers a sustainable alternative to mass production. By valuing handcraft, we are not only enriching our culture but also building a more just and sustainable economy.

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