Blog Archives

Your Home=Your Sanctuary

March 7, 2014
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Take one look at the FTWWL Home Collection and you will be swept away by the brightly colored pillows, the match-work cushions and the distinct patterns that make these home goods hard to come by.

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Your home is your sanctuary—fill it with souvenirs from faraway places, precious gifts from unknown lands, and memories that are dear to your heart.  Image-18 copy

Nowhere will you find vintage saris from India and embroidered fabrics from Thailand used in this way.

The Ganesha God offers his protection to you and to members of the Hill Tribe as they craft these beautiful pillows.  Image-19 copy

Each one carries a blessing of good health and harmony within your home. Whisper your dreams into the ear of Genesha and this elephant God will remove whatever obstacles you may face.

The saris conceal your heart’s desires and offer the wisdom and courage you need to face each day. Image-21

Surround yourself with positive energy and unleash the power of Ganesha by welcoming him into life. Be mindful of the world around you as the traditions of fēng shuǐ bring you peace and tranquility.  Image-18

Create an “invisible force” around your home that binds the universe, the earth and human together as one.

The From the World with Love sari pillows carry all you need to achieve balance inside and out.

Tales from the Hill Tribe

February 20, 2014
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Take a piece of the old world and turn it into something new.

The Hill Tribe Collection tells the story of eternal love and long-lasting beauty. Image-13 copy 4

Travel to faraway places where you will discover the authenticity of handmade clothing, made to wear with pride and pleasure.

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Take a closer look and you will see, the unforeseen sense of individuality that exudes from this one-of-a-kind collection.

Image-14Durable and sustainable—have you ever worn a jacket that was built as strong as you?

Image-15One can only hope that the traditions of the Hill Tribe will be pasted down from one generation to the next.

Beauty is ageless; authenticity has no price. Image-13

When one door closes, anther opens.

Open your heart to others. You are free to share in the positive energy that emerges from sustainable fashion, from the world with love. 

Dare to be Different

February 9, 2014
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It’s not a matter of choosing the right piece; it’s about choosing the piece that’s right for you.

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You’ll be amazed by the larger-than-life colors, patterns, textures and designs we’ve created for individuals who dare to be different.

Image-11Find yourself camouflaged by the floral arrangements within the indigenous designs of Mexico’s Chiapas villages. Each blouse has a shape of its own. Symbolic for life, beauty and nature; this collection combines the world’s most precious and sacred materials.

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The hand-stitched embroidery is made with dyed cottons matching earth tones of wildflower gardens and crashing oceanic waves.

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Unable to wilt or fade, this flower collection has eternal life.

From Oscar de la Renta, to Stella McCartney and Alberta Ferretti; floral patterns are popping up in Spring 2014. You will feel like you are in your natural element when wearing these simplistic fabrics with your favorite shirt or on top of your bare skin.

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The FTWWL apparel contributes to a life of love, happiness and peace.

Wrapped in Pleasure, Layered in Love

January 26, 2014
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Unravel something new; lose yourself in layers; wrap yourself in texture; feel beautiful inside and out.

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Each time you put it, it’s worn a little different. You fasten a new knot, tighten your bow, or leave it dangling loosely—you wear the scarf as it wears on you, your emotions, your style and your sense of self.

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You share in its beauty and find comfort in its embrace. You start to recognize its smell, its feel, each and every time its draped upon your shoulders.

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What was once a part of nature has become a natural part of you.

 

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Shop From the World with Love scarves at: FTWWL.com

 

Additional image credits:
http://mimithorisson.com
http://www.whatkatieate.com

 

Through Rose Colored Glasses

January 18, 2014
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This gallery contains 7 photos.

Out with the Old, in with the New (and Improved!)

January 17, 2014
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When one door closes, another opens—and the new FTWWL store is even better than before! We believe all things happen for a reason, even if that means starting all over again.

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When the FTWWL website was hacked, we temporarily lost everything. Fortunately, the love and support of followers from across the world, (including you!) helped us to revamp the From the World with Love blog and added exciting new items to the store.

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Fromtheworldwithlove.com was made by and for people like you—global travelers, exotic fashionistas, style-conscious individuals and fair-trade advocates. The new FTWWL website brings you closer than ever before to the designers, artists and craftspeople who work hand-in-hand with From the World with Love founder, Yael Guetta.

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Our door is always open! We welcome everyone to explore authentic craftsmanship, handmade accessories and original designs. As a part of the FTWWL community you are making worthwhile contributions to the growth of sustainable fashion.

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Connect instantly with Yael and share your storires of travel, treasures and true love—for things that come from the world with love.

FTWWL is here for you, 24/7 no matter where in the world you go. Find us on: Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and fromtheworldwithlove.com

From Mexico With Love: Symbolic Inspiration

June 30, 2013
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Textiles SymbolsThe symbols in Mayan clothing and textiles is much more than distinctive decoration.  The patterns tell a story based on the type of garment being made, what the cloth is eventually used for and the influences that the individual weavers bring to their looms.

The traditional brocade designs of the Chiapas Maya are drawn from local history and mythology. Diamond designs refer to the shape of the earth and sky. Undulating designs, often called snake or flower, symbolize the fertile earth with its abundance of holy plants and animals.  Each village, inspired by local custom and tradition, creates garments that are a direct reflection of their daily life and beliefs and each designer puts her individual signature on the pieces made.  The result is a unified expression of their heritage that is a symbolic representation of each community

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This cross-stitched dress from the village of Chalchihuitan is a perfect example of the geometric designs used to depict the earth, sky, and various gods and goddesses from ancient times.  The designs are timeless and this dress fits right in to today’s ethnic fashion trend. Big gold hoop earrings, some strappy sandals and you’re all set for summer.

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Textiles inspired by brocade fabrics brought over by the Spanish are the inspiration behind these beautiful shawls.  The flowers are symbolic of the Earth’s fertile abundance, while the contemporary colors are a reflection of a younger generations influence.  This piece that we brought back from Zinacantan would work perfectly with jeans, black tank top and some great high shoes or boots. They are quite stunning to see up close.

Shawl from Zinacantan

 

The village of Tenejapa was where we found these black woolen shawls.  Women throughout the village wore one, each slightly different as a result of one’s embroidery and pom-pom design.  Woven from wool,  the texture is almost like a fur and keeps them warm in the winter months, similar to a blanket. It created a striking visual when they were gathered together in the market.  They are perfect for layering over a jean jacket in the fall to add something special to an outfit.

Woolen Shawl from Tenejapa

 

These delicate shawls from the village of Huixtan show the intricate needlecraft of the women from this region.  You can see the incredible skill of their handwork in the close-up.  They’ve created these lightweight pieces in absolutely joyful colors that are perfect for cool summer evenings.

Embroidered shawls from Huixtan

 

Our cross-stitch tops from Chiapas are filled with a riot of color.  The patterns in these tops can be just geometric, just floral or a combination of both.  We love them with a pair of jeans. Check out all our styles at FTWWL

Maya Huipil from Chiapas

 

These tops, from San Andres Larrainzar, are said to have their origins from missionary nuns coming to Mexico and teaching the women embroidery styles popular in Europe at the time.  Also done in a cross-stitch pattern, you can see the designs are much more fluid and romantic. Again illustrating the unique influences of each village.

Village of San Andres Larrainzar

 

Expertly crafted by the women of Chamula, these traditional satin blouses can take up to two months to complete.  The intricate handwork is evident in the bodice, telling the tale of the woman who made it and the particular village it came from. In these small communities, it’s important to continue the embroidery tradition, yet equally important to allow for each woman’s creative spirit to thrive. They’re absolutely beautiful…easy to wear day or evening.

Traditional Satin Top from Chamula

 

Finally, these wonderful white dresses embroidered in vibrant colors are typical to the village of San Juan Cancuc and traditionally worn by men, yet, when I found them I felt they would be perfect as a summer dress or cover-up.   We think they’d look great paired with sandals for an effortless and unique look.

Traditional Dresses from San Juan Cancuc

 

You can find all these new items and much more on our site From The World With Love: Mexico.

Mexico is just the beginning of the adventure.  You can shop India, Ethiopia, Thailand and Paris too!

Women Helping Women: Close To Home and From Afar

June 13, 2013
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The beauty of the Mayan textiles that we discovered in our trip to southern Mexico goes much deeper than the eye can see. Which is usually the case when an ancient civilization’s art, cultural, social and religious beliefs are translated visually.   Combining these elements have led to the patterns, colors, and styles of the textiles woven still used today.  Most important, however, is the individual passion that each woman/weaver brings to the loom when she sets to work.  Her relationship to the beautiful natural surroundings, the warmth and love within the community that has shaped her and her religious convictions are the subtle nuances that make each garment, each textile, unique.

Image-7The universe was unpredictable and misunderstood by the ancients which required them to give meaning and description to natural events taking place around them.  In the Mayan culture, textiles were equivalent to the written word.  A picture book if you will.  The scribes, those individuals making sure the story was being told and passed down were the women in the villages who were believed to have been chosen by the gods to carry out this sacred task.  Being responsible for keeping their stories alive and passing them down,  these women were afforded goddess-like status among their people.

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Women not only work together, but support one another on a much deeper level.  Weaving and dealing with the tasks of everyday life were one continuous motion.  In addition to the weaving, meals had to be made, children had to be tended to and farm chores carried out, creating a fluid symphony amongst the women, played from sunrise to sunset.

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We saw many women sitting and sewing new designs as we shopped, and all were more than happy to explain some of the more mythical and fanciful scenes on the textiles.  Most had  learned their skills from their mother or grandmother.  And while some of the more traditional styles have been updated, not much has changed and the tradition remains to pass along the skills from generation to generation.

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The  MAYAN women region of CHIAPAS are granted a status far different from what exists in the western world.  Their culture is much more matriarchal.  Women are the backbone of this society and as such, treated with a great deal of respect from the men within the community.  It is the women who hold the future of their lives and economy in their hands.

To that end, From The World With Love has made it their mission to bring these pieces of clothing to a world that can help establish and sustain these women in cultivating a cottage industry to enhance their lives. Visit our website to see all the beautiful pieces of clothing, jewelry and home items we brought back from Mexico and help this wonderful community flourish!

More to come….

 

The Power of Women Around the World: Mexico

June 5, 2013
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The Artists and I WIth Their Handwork

Over the past few months, From The World With Love has been on the road, this time to Mexico.

A good friend of mine, Linda, who I met years ago through our work in the fashion industry, was heading there.  We both share a passion for photography and discovering parts of the world that are new , challenging and educational. Today, Linda is an attorney, working with indigent women in Saint Christobal , working to empower them and educate them in ways they can support themselves. She knew about my work with FTWWL and felt the philosophy of what we do fit perfectly with the part of the world she was living.  Making my way through the southern most region of Mexico was a wonderful, eye-opening experience.  One that I want to share with you.

This part of the world is filled with symbolic color

Mexico is a country riddled with opposites.  Rich color, pattern, texture, and flavor combines daily with some of the world’s most profound poverty.  Yet the people are warm, welcoming, curious and  filled with a zest for life and respect for tradition that is lacking in economies having far more to offer its people.  Their passion and history were evident wherever we went and the people were eager to share their heritage and made us feel completely welcome.

The specific region we toured, Chiapas, is a mountainous region in the southernmost state of Mexico. Dotted with Mayan ruins, lush jungles teeming with life and rock formations exposed and weathered by sun and sky, the physical landscape is magical.  It is responsible for the cultural beliefs, traditions and artwork found in communities that have changed little over the centuries.  The natural beauty of the land, the gifts that Mother Nature has provided its inhabitants and the know-how and creativity of the village residents in harnessing those gifts was revealed to us over and over again in the local artwork. The designs, geometric and organic, woven or embroidered into their fabric are stories in and of themselves.  Their work is influenced by spiritual beliefs, as well as by the beauty in nature that surrounds them.

Try to imagine,  if you can,  the work (not to mention the heart and soul) that goes into these textiles.

There is no fabric shop for these women to source their supplies from. Weavers sit at looms, made with found materials and work threads that have come from the wool of sheep grazing in the low regions.  These threads  start out as white or brown and are rough in texture.  The  yarn is dyed using only the colors provided through indigenous plants, flowers and shrubs.  Jewel tone colors emerge, representative of a particular village or region.  All organic, supplied by nature.  It’s hard to imagine for those of us living in a more abundant universe and can easily shop for our needs, how difficult, remarkable and intuitive this process really is.

This group of textile artisans is strictly female.  There is a bond between them, an unspoken understanding that they need to take care of one another.  Many are related – grandmothers, mothers, daughters – learning from each other and continuing a long-standing tradition.  Historically, these women were held in incredibly high esteem as they were the teller of the tales,  … literally passing down history in their “images” and designs woven into their fabric.  Centuries old beliefs, rituals and symbols are the influence behind a particular region’s type of clothing and the cloth used. We know their story today because of their ancestors who came before, passing down their skills.  Their status within the community was just shy of goddess-like.

Both Linda and I were uplifted by these female artistic communities and saw an important message to take from this area of the world.  The women here and in other under-developed regions of the world, were and continue to be the keepers, providers and authors of a culture while also being caregivers, wives and mothers. No easy task.  Sadly, a matriarchal society and economy that is losing ground.  The industrial revolution (that devil!) has made this particular type of craft easy to reproduce, watering down both the art and local economies. While struggling to keep this craft alive, these women and their families are living in poverty.  Yet their spirit and delight in the everyday is plentiful.

Our goal here at FTWWL is straightforward:  to empower women in communities around the world by assisting them in ways to continue their craft  and sustain themselves economically.  We’ve brought back with us pieces of clothing and jewelry that are inspiring, beautiful and easy to combine with pieces you already own.  A woman with great style in our books is someone confident in herself  and her ability to take a favorite pair of jeans, some strappy sandals, a great bag and a colorful top from a region in perhaps southern MexicoEthiopia or India and carry it off in her own special way.

The whole time doing great things and contributing to the world with love!

Stay tuned for more of the story to unfold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coachella Style

May 30, 2013
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Coachella Style

 

We fell in love with these images from Coachella 2013.  All these looks are put together by girls with genuine style…taking elements from their everyday wardrobe and mixing them up with one of a kind vintage and ethnic pieces that we love here at FTWWL.

Inspired by their look, we put together our own style board based on things we have on our website and items you might have already in your closet.  Being confident enough to mix it up like this is what great style is all about.  Try it for yourself.

Coachella

1.  Yak Wool Jacket @FTWWL

2 .  Maharani Bracelet@FTWWL