Unique handmade belts inspired by indigenous Andean culture
About the Brand
TAARACH is a brand that embodies the word ‘beauty’, in its fullest sense, and stands as an inspiring testament for what is possible. Rooted in Latin America, TAARACH creates hand-woven belts inspired by Andean folklore, nature, and culture. Traditionally, these elegant fajas were used to denote status and were worn daily. Today, it is TAARACH’s aim to showcase these artful pieces to the modern world; not only to celebrate their innate beauty but also as a tool to make visible and protect ethnic communities and traditional ways of being.
Traditionally fajas are hand-crafted by women of small communities and the girls start learning this craft at the age of 8. The designs and elements of each one depend on the ethnic, mythic, religious beliefs of the community. The fajas are a way to identify the group or community and protect its members from bad energies. The most common ways for making fajas are wood and waist looms.
- MAIN MANUFACTURING COUNTRIES: Panama and Ecuador
Philosophy and mission
TAARACH leads with its mission, which is a distinct pleasure to share. Their goal is to both preserve and empower indigenous Andean communities by uniting traditional handcraft techniques and textiles with contemporary styling. In this way, by creating fair work in rural areas for their artisan partners/families, TAARACH seeks to reduce migration to the cities and thus help to maintain the vibrancy and diversity of these rich ethnic cultures.
Giving Back
Beyond direct employment, TAARACH invests in these communities through their ONE 1 ONE program, which helps combat poverty and further education by providing one school lunch to one child/month for every belt sold. Perhaps it is these ethics combined with TAARACH’s commitment to transparency that provides the light that emanates through their stunning fajas.
TAARACH believes that their products have the power to change how we feel about ourselves and the world around us and I could not agree with this sentiment, or approach, more. When you support TAARACH, not only will you receive a unique handmade belt that is rich in colour and sharp in style but you will be contributing to the health and sustainability of vibrant, yet increasingly threatened, communities.
Finalist of 2020 Design Excellence Awards
TAARACH® is named one of the finalist of 2020 Design Excellence Award on Social Impact! The Design Excellence Award of the New York based Accessories Council celebrates outstanding new and innovative products from brands of all sizes and styles from around the world.The Design Excellence Awards category of Social Impact combines excellent design and sustainable production. It is a very competitive strategy and for a product to make it to the finalist level is already a big achievement!