GRACIAS MADRE TIERRA, IS ONE OF FOUR BANDANAS THAT ARE A PART OF THE 4TH SEASON OF EXCLUSIVE BANDITS X REI COLLABORATION.
BANDITS BANDANAS, A BANDANA BRAND THAT SUPPORTS ARTISTS AND CHARITIES WORLDWIDE, REACHED OUT TO ME TO DESIGN A BANDANA INSPIRED BY NATURE AND REI'S CONSERVATION - DRIVEN MISSION. THIS DESIGN WAS INSPIRED BY MY RECENT TRIP TO OAXACA. WHAT INSPIRED ME MOST ABOUT OAXACA WAS THE RELATIONSHIP THE ARTISANS HAVE WITH THE EARTH. THEY ASK THE EARTH TO ALLOW THEM TO GATHER HER MATERIALS, THEY ASK HER TO ALLOW THEM TO CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL FROM THEM, AND THEY THANK HER FOR THE FOOD SHE PROVIDES EVERY DAY. AS AMERICANS, WE ARE TOO OFTEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE BEAUTY OF EARTH'S PROVISIONS. ALMOST EVERYTHING THE ARTISANS OWN IS HANDMADE; THEIR CLOTHING, THEIR CERAMICS, THEIR FURNITURE, ETC. EVERY BELONGING HAS A CONTRIBUTING STORY BEHIND IT, MAKING THE SOURCE OF IT ALL SACRED. THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF NATURE, THEIR SLOW, DELICATE PROCESSES, AND THEIR GRATITUDE ARE ALL THE MOST CLEAR REPRESENTATION OF HOW VALUABLE OUR EARTH IS.
I TRIED TO INCORPORATE EACH OF THESE SENTIMENTS INTO THE DESIGN OF THE BANDANA. I HOPE THAT WHEN IT IS WORN, IT SERVES AS A REMINDER TO ENJOY OUR EATH, TO CONSERVE OUR EARTH, AND TO BE GRATEFUL FOR IT.
10% OF EVERY BANDANA SOLD IS DONATED TO COSA BUENA, A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND NON-PROFIT THAT SUPPORTS OAXACA'S ZAPOTEC AND MIXTEC ARTISAN COMMUNITIES THROUGH REGENERATIVE TRAVEL.
