ARTE SEDA

Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca

Arte Seda is a Zapotec family-owned weaving cooperative, dedicated to cultivating silkworms from mulberry trees grown on the property, from which exquisite silk yarn is produced, then dyed with natural dyes. The natural silk and cotton threads are woven into beautiful clothing, scarves and rugs.

Silk production had been a thriving industry for the area during the colonial times, but effectively came to an end after the Spanish began trading with the Philippines and local plagues hit the Oaxaca area.

Fortunately it was kept alive for the following centuries by determined Zapotec artisans, and the work of the Arte Seda family today is critical to its continued preservation.