MARIA'S Technicolor By Alida Boer

At the Dream Downtown on the evening of September 6th, press, friends, and editors gathered to celebrate the second season of handbags from Maria’s by Alida Boer. The event welcomed guests to view the upcoming Spring/Summer collection of Technicolor design, with a reflection on the rich heritage of the stunning, Guatemala.  Each bag is a story capturing vision, narrating the life of color and vibrancy within the Latin American culture.

Handcrafted by women in a country with poor economic and social conditions, Maria’s provides her artisans with the right for independence, to learn from the opportunity of employment, and individually earn an income.  The hidden but actual realities of marriage conditions in Guatemala often include violence and early commitment, leaving women with little room to grow independently.  Through the platform that is Maria’s, however, opportunities for women to become self-reliant and financially stable opens the door for conditions to change.  The collection embodies the strength of the cautious and incredibly talented hands that made them.      

The collection consists of clutches, totes, and satchels of various shapes and sizes, combining to become a story with over 50 shades of textiles.  

Regardless of design, every handbag is alive with the stories of Guatemalan culture, with origins bright and hidden within Mayan treasures.  The yarns intertwine into zigzags and floral designs in resemblance of history, myths, and legacies important to the people of Guatemala.  

Mirroring the past with the present, the color black is polished as the backboard for which the textiles dance against.  Where black is neutral, a basic, a safe haven; the color of the bag creates dimension and risk, daring individuals to hold on their arm an item of interest.  Black is the present, the shade of fashion that is distinguished in the industry as modern and classic.  The hues of culture that illustrate the handbags make the collection a mysterious and lively twist on what is considered safe.      

The collection was assembled delicately among flowers and candles, gorgeously commemorating the Latin American culture and environment.  Shades of purple and white were the base theme for the presentation of the colorful collection.  Guests admired the ordination of the handbags, excited to welcome the fair trade designer another successful season.  

Special thanks to Terry from SeventhHouse and photos courtesy of BFA