VALERIA TOTE BAG - Mayalla
VALERIA TOTE BAG - Mayalla
VALERIA TOTE BAG - Mayalla
VALERIA TOTE BAG - Mayalla
VALERIA TOTE BAG - Mayalla
VALERIA TOTE BAG - Mayalla
VALERIA TOTE BAG - Mayalla
Bags

VALERIA TOTE BAG

Regular price $260.00 Save $-260.00
DESCRIPTION
VALERIA is that rare unicorn, the classy tote that is perfect for everyday use. A bag that is extremely beautiful and extremely practical at the same time. Made of gorgeous handwoven Mayan textile and premium Guatemalan leather, she has a truly unique design that make it worth the splurge. The patterns and the symbols on her textile are complex and have a deep meaning that go back to the ancient Maya. The weaver women who made her put so much love into her, that you can feel the human touch. She is not just a bag; she is a real piece of art with a soul. A classic bag with a pop of color, that makes you stand out. Take her to work or as a carry on for your next flight. She is big enough to fit a computer and daily essentials. Or take her to a shopping splurge, thanks to her zip top closure and internal side pockets, your belongings will be kept safe. Take her to a romantic dinner or for classy after work drinks. VALERIA offers a sleek and casual look for workdays and weekends alike. A special Tote for a special lady!
 
tote bag handmade mayalla huipil leather dark brown

 

UNIQUENESS – HANDMADE

Each of Mayella’s products is beautifully unique. We are proud that no piece will be exactly the same as another, since they are all handmade. A product that is not factory fabricated, that has human touch and is special, a real masterpiece! Please be aware that some of our products may have natural markings and imperfections, which should not be considered a fault. These imperfections make the piece special and a human art, they are appreciated.

 

ETHICAL IMPACT 

We support the Guatemalan community with purchasing their beautiful handmade textiles for fair prices from the weavers on the local markets. It is very important to us that the they are paid fairly for their hard work. That’s why the artisans themselves set their price. We are giving you - the consumer - the opportunity to show social responsibility by shopping in Ethical Stores like Mayalla. Read more here.

 

SUSTAINABILITY

We have sustainably sourced all our textiles from our local weavers in Guatemala on the markets in Chichicastenango, Antigua and Panajachel.

 

EMBRACING CULTURES

We want to show the world the rich Guatemalan culture by sharing its indigenous handcrafted fabrics and traditions with the world. And explaining the meanings of their traditional textiles and other ancient traditions. Many people have never heard of Guatemala, so we see it as our challenge to change that!

 

tote bag handmade mayalla huipil leather dark brown

 

Please note that due to different color settings on the device displays, the color of the leather and textile that you receive may not exactly match what you see on your screen. However, we try our best to provide accurate photos of our products that closely match their actual color.

 

DETAILS
  • Handmade
  • Made in Guatemala
  • Dark brown full grain leather (Each bag varies slightly in texture and color)
  • 100% handwoven vintage cotton fabric body (There may be color variations)
  • Two handles
  • Top zip closure, YKK Zippers
  • One inner pocket with zip closure
  • Two inner pockets, open
  • Golden Metal hardware

GIFT

  • Signature leather pom pom (in color of the bag)
  • Beige textile cover bag
  • Handwoven textile card
  • Handmade doll
  • Description & meaning of textile

     

    TEXTILE
    “Nebaj Huipil" the Guatemalan Blouse – Handwoven Textile
     

    The textile of this bag is called “huipil” meaning blouse and comes from the Guatemalan village Nebaj. It is woven in 1 – 4 months’ time by hand on a backstrap loom, using mercerized silk and cotton. It is woven with extreme attention to detail, having geometric brocade embroidery covering almost the entire textile. The wearing of this traditional costume is the norm in this small town. It can easily cost them a 2 months’ salary. Its geometric brocade embroidery has human characteristics, animal forms and attributes of plants.

     Weaver women Guatemala Mayalla huipil making

     

    Santa Maria Nebaj is a small Mayan village in the department Quiche in the heart of Guatemala. The traditional Nebaj dress is probably the most dramatic of all Guatemalan dresses. Green is usually the predominant color; most pieces however contain many different colors. The symbols of the embroidery represent the legend of “a princess who fell in love with a young man of lower social class. Her father, the king, didn’t like that his daughter wanted to be with him and disapproved of the relationship. That is why the king was looking for a way to split them up, so he spied on them. One of his spies was a bird, that wanted to help the young love and told the couple about the king’s plan to separate them.  Thus, he became their Nahual - For the Maya a nahual is a spirit/ energy/ force that accompanies each person/ animals/ other elements of nature. They are symbols, that create a balance by linking people with the ecosystem. The princess, her lover and the bird fled all together from the rage of the King on a donkey. That is why. the donkey and the bird are represented on almost all the traditional textiles (huipils) from this region.

     

    Handmade textile Mayalla

     

    MEASUREMENTS

    H: 28 cm - 11 in

    W: 41 cm - 16 in

    D: 15 cm - 5.9 in

     

    SHIPPING

    FREE Shipping!  It usually takes around 10 to 14 business days!