subscribe to style file blog via RSSrachel comey’s peru diary
August 8, 2008 12:48 pm
I go to Peru several times a year not only to work on my knitwear, shoe, and belt collections, but to eat amazing food, see the vibrant and charming city of Lima, and visit with many fantastic people. This is a short trip for me. It is usually several weeks, but as we are nearing fashion week, I had to come down to try and do some face-to-face persuading and encouraging.
August 5
I arrive in the early a.m. and go straight to my friend Caroline’s apartment in Barranco, which is a gorgeous old neighborhood on the seaside. When the main part of Lima was 30 miles or so inland, Barranco was the resort destination for well-off Peruvians, so there are many gorgeous old buildings overlooking the high cliffs onto the Pacific. On display in Caroline’s apartment are amazing embroideries from the Peruvian mountains that are used in ceremonial dances. You can see the incredible handwork capabilities and traditions of Peru represented in these few items.
I catch a quick nap and then spend the day picking out yarn colors and meeting with different knitters, both machine and handknitters. They’re proud of their work, but hurry up guys, we need them finished so we can ship, Barneys is waiting!
That evening, we go to an art opening at a lovely neighborhood gallery called Lucia de la Puente and then later to Juanito for a few Chilcanos (Pisco and ginger ale). Juanitos is an ancient bar in the main square of Barranco. The grandpa proprietor sits at the bar while his sons race around serving drinks and ham sandwiches to the loyal customers, the artistic and literary communities of Lima.
August 6
Caroline is an amazing hostess and major connoisseur of the exotic fruits and vegetables available in the markets. Her morning fruit smoothies rival any I’ve had. From her roof terrace, where we eat our morning fruit, you can see giant bougainvillea, which are everywhere along the rooftops of Lima.
After an hour ride into the desert, we arrive at one of my shoe factories, where we check on production, pick leather colors, and hand over additional Spring designs. We spend most of the day there, reviewing details and capabilities and putting orders in for the runway sandals.
August 7
Since we have the knitters and shoemakers working on new designs, we give them a day to make advances and head down to the beach (called El Silencio) for the afternoon. Our excuse is that the light is better for looking at yarn colors.
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