Huipil Pillow VI

This colorful one-of-a-kind cactus silk pillow was handwoven by the nomadic Berber tribe of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The pillow’s saturated colors and embroidered symbols reflect Berber tattoos indicative of the family who made it and the mountainous region where it was created.

Cactus silk is a textile comprised of an all-natural vegetable silk made from the agave plant (a variety of the cactus also known as sabra) found in the Saharan Desert. The process for creating the silk and weaving cactus textiles has remained the same over several centuries. Leaves from the sabra plant are crushed and soaked in water over several days to loosen their fibers, then washed and spun to make silk threads.

All cactus silk is dyed using natural vegetable dyes which allow for highly pigmented and colorful pastel and earthy hues. The weaving process is done entirely by hand on looms. Since the silk is lightweight, supple and sturdy, it is mostly used to create small scale carpets, poufs and pillow covers.

We love that each individual cactus silk has a story to tell about its origins and heritage. Our Cactus Silk pillows are a chic global accent that compliments any space.

This colorful one-of-a-kind cactus silk pillow was handwoven by the nomadic Berber tribe of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The pillow’s saturated colors and embroidered symbols reflect Berber tattoos indicative of the family who made it and the mountainous region where it was created.

Cactus silk is a textile comprised of an all-natural vegetable silk made from the agave plant (a variety of the cactus also known as sabra) found in the Saharan Desert. The process for creating the silk and weaving cactus textiles has remained the same over several centuries. Leaves from the sabra plant are crushed and soaked in water over several days to loosen their fibers, then washed and spun to make silk threads.

All cactus silk is dyed using natural vegetable dyes which allow for highly pigmented and colorful pastel and earthy hues. The weaving process is done entirely by hand on looms. Since the silk is lightweight, supple and sturdy, it is mostly used to create small scale carpets, poufs and pillow covers.

We love that each individual cactus silk has a story to tell about its origins and heritage. Our Cactus Silk pillows are a chic global accent that compliments any space.

Our Huipil Pillow features a fragment from a one-of-a-kind huipil textile from the Tecpan region of Guatemala. To empower and champion the indigenous artisan population of Guatemala, we have partnered with a non-profit organization, Mayan Families, for this special collection. Meridian will donate 20% of every purchase from our Huipil Collection in support of the organization’s programs that provide job training, education, family services, healthcare, and the opportunity for stable work.

Traditionally, a huipil is a garment worn by indigenous women of Central America. This loose-fitting, square-shaped tunic is often made from two or three rectangular pieces of fabric that are joined together with holes for the head and arms. They are typically woven on a backstrap loom and adorned with colorful, hand embroidered designs.

The huipil has been worn by women in the Mesoamerican region since well before the arrival of the Spanish in the 1500s. Most often seen worn by the Mayans in Guatemala (such as this piece) as well as Central and Southern Mexico, the huipil remains the most common female garment still in use today. Many women create special versions of huipil for ceremonial occasions but they also function as an everyday blouse. The designs featured on each huipil vary from community to community, as each region has their own distinct colors, symbols and lengths representing one’s religion and tribal affiliation.

Each huipil has a specific story to tell about cultural heritage, the woman who wore it and the artisan handmade process. Our Huipil Pillows are a luxurious addition to your home, steeped in tradition and craftsmanship. Every purchase will have a direct impact on artisan initiatives in Guatemala, and we are delighted to partner with Mayan Families to support their organization in this effort.

Our 100% baby alpaca throw hails from Peru. Alpacas are members of the South American camelid family which also includes llamas, guanacos and vicunas. They are indigenous to the highlands of the Andes where their breeding is a vital component of the economy for a large sector of the population. Alpacas are prized for their natural, luxurious, silky, soft and durable fiber that is biodegradable and hypoallergenic.

Alpacas are bred especially for their fiber. They are natural vegetarians and graze on vegetation typically found on high altitude moorlands. Fewer than one alpaca exists per acre; their impact on the environment is therefore minimal. No harm is caused to the alpacas during the sheering process, which occurs only once every 12 months. After the fiber is collected it is hand sorted into grades by a cooperative of highly trained women. The very finest grade is called “baby alpaca,” which is reserved for our lightweight and warm throws.

Our alpaca throws are a luxuriously soft addition to your home or travel bag. Every purchase directly supports our artisan partners in Peru, who sustainably source and weave each throw for Meridian.