This linen jumpsuit is part of a collaboration between Hilo Cusco and the cooperative of women of the community of Pucamarca, Cusco.
The Andes are filled with a great diversity of plant life and the Andean people have a rich knowledge of the use of these plants for medicines, and for natural dyes for their cloth.
Ch’illca (Baccharis caespitosa) is a common plant found throughout the Cusco region. The plant grows near the edges of streams and around farmers' fields. These bushes can grow to be about 1-2 meters tall. There are two varieties of the ch’illca plant, one with a straight smooth edge, and one with a serrated edge; the straight-edged plant produces a green colour. Ch’illca thrives nearly year-round.
“OUR CLOTHING IS MADE OF CLOTH THAT IS PATCHED - OVERDYED - PLEATED - EMBROIDERED - HANDSTITCHED - PRESSED - AND FULL OF SEAMS.”
