By thoughtfully importing Mexican textiles, Del Alma Imports preserves tradition while supporting Otomi artisans.
Story by Jenny Jurica | Courtesy photographs
Del Alma Imports brings stunning, hand-crafted embroidered textiles across the border to those of us eager to invest in pieces that are pleasing to the eye and more gentle on the plane. Even more importantly, the company’s approach honors, empowers, and sustains Mexican artists.
Founded by Maria Jose Currie of San Antonio, the seed for Del Alma Imports was first planted 12 years ago while the entrepreneur was visiting Tulancingo in the state of Hidalgo.
“I was standing in a market in my hometown, completely mesmerized by the handmade garments and jewelry. I was talking to an artisan about the time it took to make a single blouse and just continued to admire the other garments,” said Currie.
There she witnessed a fellow shopper haggle with the artisan about the prices and eventually convince the artist to lower the price of a beautiful piece significantly–only to walk away without purchasing. Currie was horrified at the dismissiveness and disrespect for the craftsmanship.
The moment stuck with Currie.
After she returned home, she lamented not being able to help in some way. Then, Currie serendipitously met an artist who would help her find a way to help.
Under the guidance of Mexican master artist Rosa Gonzalez Hernandez, Currie was inspired to empower the Otomi artisans who create the goods, using skills and crafts passed down from generation to generation.
“The way to do that was to broaden the artisans’ impact by educating people abroad and making their goods available to people. Next thing I knew, I was using what little money I had to start Del Alma Imports and buy some product,” said Currie.
Currie’s company brand name is significant. As Hernandez explained to Currie, the artisans carry their distinctive, artful designs in their souls.
“Del Alma means ‘from the soul,’ and I believe that every product that we carry really comes from a deep place within where people carry their identity, cultural pride, hopes, and dreams,” Currie said.
“These pieces are handmade by women who are embroidering their culture into these garments. It enables them to pass the tradition down to their kids. It allows them to speak their native language with the next generation of embroidery artists. If this art is lost, the language actually starts to disappear. With the loss of the language, the beautifully rich Otomi culture will die,” said Currie.
These days, Currie, a busy mother of five children, is trying to direct her business more toward education and partnering with other artisans across Mexico, all while continually providing some of Del Alma’s most popular products to people in the United States.
Currie understands the importance of honoring the tradition and craftsmanship in the goods that she imports. She finds personal joy in helping these goods fall into the hands of those on this side of the border who seek to appreciate the beauty in the Otomi textiles.
“The impact of each Del Alma purchase is very much felt,” Currie added.
To learn more about Del Alma Imports and to shop for your own, hand-crafted, heirloom items, visit the Del Alma Imports website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
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