FASHION
Story by Paije Maas | Photos by Noah Wright | Design by Morgan Rosentrater
W
hen you think of ponchos, what is the first visual that seeps into your mind? Wool fabric, various colors and patterns, but most importantly, culture. Ponchos are not a part of just one culture but many. Their colors and patterns differ depending on the story behind them and the way they are worn. While they have never truly left the fashion world, they have certainly circled back into becoming more popular.
Maria and Tyler Chavez are the owners of an Etsy shop called Little Otavalo. They are from Toronto, Canada and they sell ponchos that were handmade by the Indigenous people of Otavalo in the Andres Mountains of Ecuador. “The designs can be traced back to generations of weavers passing down their variations, patterns, and color schemes.” Chavez says that the designs are also inspired by other indigenous patterns around the world.
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WINTER 2022
Rise of Popularity The couple mentions that within the last two years they have sold more ponchos than ever before. “We think it may have to do with more indigenous exposure in mainstream media”. Ponchos have certainly evolved and there are multiple kinds of ponchos that can be worn for any occasion. Modern ponchos can be seen as not fully over the head but will lay across the shoulders and you can pair it with jeans and a boot or sneaker. When it comes to traditional ponchos, the Chavez couple do not sell
