SCALO

n who greatly cherish the human touch behind the work. The core of our products are the handmade weaves, which take months and months on end to complete. Although Raquel was born in Guatemala, she lived in Italy most of her teenage years before she moved to London in 2006 to attend a Graduate degree at the London School of Economics. It is this international upbringing and her passion for art, culture, travel, European high-end craftsmanship as well as for the Mayan culture that greatly influenced Raquel to quit her job on the trading floor of Goldman Sachs and create SCALO. The timeless SCALO collection has a very distinct soul and personality, and seeks to preserve dying art forms and ancient techniques. Each one-of-a-kind bag has been meticulously hand-made by artisans in Italy or Spain combining premium leather with exquisitely elaborated Mayan textiles previously worn by Mayan women as huipil (top) or skirt (corte). The bags are the end product of a very lengthy and delicate process that begins at the back loom of a dedicated and highly skilled Mayan weaver. Mayan women have kept the same weaving and embroidery techniques since Pre-Hispanic times, and the symbolism and motifs haven’t changed much either. The huipil gives the most complete information about the weaver, her regional origin, marital status, and her social position. The textiles are decorated with geometric figures, animals, flowers, and landscapes. These motifs allude not so much to the animal or plant in question but, like geometric figures, they stand for ideas and concepts that have their roots in the ancient Mayan worldview. Mayan dress links each individual not only with his or her present community but with the ancestors too. It is precisely because of this historical continuity that dress plays such an important role in the way the Mayan define and express their cultural identity today. The brand is strongly committed to empowering women and increasing the living standards of impoverished communities. As a result, a percentage of the profits will go to programs focused on reducing chronic malnutrition by providing education and healthcare to impoverished communities. SCALO firmly believes in the preservation of Mayan cultural heritage and in the creation of opportunities for their network of artisans.