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S T E FA N I A CASTELBLANCO
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INDEX 1ABOUT 2WORK 3WEBSITE
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DESIGN AND SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS I am a colombian designer specialized in handbags. Under my brand Castelblanco established in Bogota - Colombia, I have created more than five collections using different artisanal techniques. My bags are sold through independent design stores and local design fairs. Because of my background as a political scientist, my work has always been inspired by social and ecological awareness. A special focus on sustainable production processes has been paramount in my work. “AS A DESIGNER I AM CONVINCED OF THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT THE FASHION INDUSTRY, ART AND DESIGN CAN HAVE IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.”
1ABOUT
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CASTELBLANCO BAGS
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WHY BAGS ,
I`m not sure but I remember myself as a 6 years old girl completely amazed by the idea of having an extra “part” of my body with the mission of saving and taking care of my most precious objects. This fascination ended up with a handbags and accessories brand based in Bogotá – Colombia since 2008.
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Nowadays, after a long journey of learning, both personally and as a designer, my work is based on the following THREE PRINCIPLES: I TAKE CARE OF MY ENVIRONMENT By avoiding mass-production, replacing industrial tecniques with artisanal ones and not supporting colombian leather industry as cattle raising it is one of the main factors behind the deforestation of the amazon jungle. I SUPPORT THE SLOW FASHION MOVEMENT By launching only one collection per year. I REDUCE MY ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT AND SUPPORT LOCAL MARKETS. By using local materials and recycled old leather jackets and by working with local artisans.
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MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS
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CASTELBLANCO BAGS
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Victoria Artisanal bag Bus Rug Tote Bag Hen Tote Bag Origami inspired Backpack Amulet Messenger Bag. Flat Carrier Recycle- Reduce- Reuse Collection Svart kaviar inspired clutch Exchange of design and production techniques – Pindo artisans and castelblanco collaboration (in progress) Socorro cafÊ Community project and cooffeshop in Rivera-Colombia.
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V IC TO RIA A RTI S A NA L BA G
This Bag belongs to the ArtisanalOrnamental collection launched in 2012. INSPIRATION: Local artisanal techniques PLACE: Rivera – Huila. PRODUCTION: Unique Pieces TECHNIQUES: Hand cut, hand sewn, hand painted, embroidered by hand. MATERIAL: Suede fabric, lentels, thread. TIME OF PRODUCTION PER PIECE: 8-10 hours ARTISAN: Stefania Castelblanco.
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BUS VINYL TOTE This bag belongs to the 2008 collection. It is made from a traditional colombian bus plastic rug. The lining is made with velvet which is the traditional fabric used for the curtains of old buses. INSPIRATION: Urban transport in Bogota PLACE: Bogota- Colombia PRODUCTION: 60 pieces of three diferent colors. TECHNIQUES: Mix of artisanal and industrial. MATERIAL: Plastic rug, velvet lining TIME OF PRODUCTION PER PIECE: 3 hours ARTISAN: Mario Rodriguez.
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TOTE BAG This bag belongs to the Black Collection launched in 2015. It is made from false leather material and inspired by Sweden’s minimalistic style. The black color is the favorite of the inhabitans of Stockholm. INSPIRATION: Swedish autumm time. PLACE: Stockholm - Sweden SOLD PIECES: 80, still available if pre-ordered. TECHNIQUES: Mix of artisanal and industrial. MATERIAL: Plastic leather. TIME OF PRODUCTION PER PIECE: 5 hours ARTISANS INVOLVE IN PRODUCTION: Stefania Castelblanco- Aida BelloJohana González.
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This bag belongs to the Black Collection launched in 2015. It is made from false leather material and inspired in origami art.
O R I GA MI I N S PI RE D B ACKPACK
INSPIRATION: origami art PLACE: Stockholm Sweden SOLD PIECES: around 60, still available if pre -ordered. TECHNIQUES: Mix of artisanal and industrial. MATERIAL: Plastic leather. TIME OF PRODUCTION PER PIECE: 7 hours ARTISANS INVOLVE IN PRODUCTION: Stefania Castelblanco - Aida Bello Johana Gonzรกlez.
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THE BLACK COLLE CTION TECHNIQUE: Mix between artisanal and industrial methods. Hand cut, edges hand-painted. Sewn with flat machine. MATERIAL: Synthetic leather. Wool lining.
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A MU L ET M E S S E N GE R BAG This amulet messenger bag Is made from a structured vinyl fabric. Its ornamental accessory is inspired on some ancient indigenous sculptures in San Agustin archeological park in Huila- Colombia. INSPIRATION: Ancient animal masks used for protection by the San AgustĂŹnculture. PLACE: Bogota - Colombia PIECES: Around 100 Messenger bags stiil sold if pre-ordered Mask: unique piece TECHNIQUES: Mix of artisanal and industrial. MATERIAL: vinyl fabric TIME OF PRODUCTION PER PIECE: Bag 4 hours- mask: 2hours ARTISAN: Stefania Castelblanco
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FLAT CAR R IER This flat carrier Is made from false leather material. It is an extra option for carrying flat objects , documents or folders. SETTING: Bogota - Colombia SOLD PIECES: 30, still sold if pre-ordered. TECHNIQUES: Mix of artisanal and industrial. MATERIAL: Plastic leather. TIME OF PRODUCTION PER PIECE: 2 hours ARTISANS INVOLVE IN PRODUCTION: Stefania Castelblanco - Aida Bello - Johana Gonzรกlez.
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RECYC LE
REUSE
R ED UCE
Short series of bags made from recycled leather jackets 2016 - 2017

Second hand leather jackets ready to become CASTELBLANCO BAG.
Dismantling the old jackets.
Cutting of the pattern shapes and manual cleaning of the pieces.
Sewing and giving life to the new series.
The new CASTELBLANCO BAGS.
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SWE DI SH BLAC K C OD R OE C AVI AR INSPIRATION: Swedish Black Caviar product. PLACE: Stockholm PIECES:
3 unique pieces
TECHNIQUES: Artisanal MATERIAL: Sequin vinyl fabric TIME OF PRODUCTION PER PIECE: 8 hours ARTISAN: Stefania Castelblanco
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IN PROGRESS
COLLABO RATI ON PI NDO ARTI STS & CA STELBL ANCO Exchange of knowledge and techniques between Castelblanco and the local Pindo artisans. Pindo is a local fiber extracted from a endemic plant called the PINDO PALMTREE. The collection has been projected using this fiber as the main material and it will be launched in April this year.
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THE P INDO COLLECTION PROTOTYPES Flat Tote Messenger Bag Fanny Pack
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Free english lessons
SOCO R R O C A F É PRO JECT Socorro café, Community project and coffee shop in Rivera-Colombia. 2016- 2017
Rivera is located in the south of the country and as many little towns in Colombia, it has suffered the consequences of the internal armed conflict. The multidimensional poverty indicators average 40% of the total of the population. The Socorro project was designed as aspace for the community to meet and to learn about various topics difficult to access in small towns such as these, where there is a lack of support for cultural and artistic activities. The cafè served as a place for sharing knowledge, artistic and language lessons for free. It also became a meeting-point for local artists to show their work. In 2016 we held the first “earth day fair” in Rivera promoted by Socorro and the local municipality, where the main theme was: RECYCLE - REDUCE - REUSE.
Internacional girls day with art lessons.
Earth Day. Theme: Recycle -Reduce Reuse Art exhibition “Por la Senda Espiral” By a local Artist Juan Perdomo
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More Info about my trajectory and work:
www.stefaniacastelblanco.com
3WEBSITE
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CASTELBLANCO