Kathiana Quispe Products - UNICEF Market Canada

Kathiana Quispe

"As a girl, I was attracted to the art of design and fashion. It was something passed down from generation to generation in my family. "I was born in 1987 in the beautiful and historic department of Cuzco where the first Andean civilizations were formed with Huari and Tiahuanaco influences. It is also the cradle of the Incan empire and the site of the Vilcabamba Inca during the conquest of Peru. I couldn't be prouder of having been born somewhere so privileged. "I consider myself extremely creative and responsible, two qualities that define my personality and the quality of my work. My father taught me the family art of tooled leather. I learned a lot of what I know now by working with him. Day by day, I'd see the techniques he'd learned on his own. We lived in the country and I spent my childhood between the workshop, the countryside and the city. My family struggled tirelessly for a better future. "Starting out on my own was a difficult decision and very risky. I spent a lot of time analyzing the market, designs and trends. I visited craft fairs, looked through catalogs and statistics. Sometimes, I felt I had failed. I had to close my workshop twice because it was unstable. It was hard to stay strong during those times. I made mistakes but, little by little, I found the answers. Practice, steadiness and perseverance were my pillars to keep going. "What I enjoy the most about my art is that I'm able to combine designs and play with symmetrical shapes. It's a challenge that affects every design. I love that it keeps me creating all of the time. "My inspiration comes from the silhouettes I create. I love discovering handwoven Andean textiles to go with the embossed motifs, and finding the balance in the shape and depth of my designs. My country, so full of history, in another source of inspiration and I'm proud to share its memories through my leather work. "I dream of having my own boutique one day with my own designs reflecting Inca motifs and the culture of my beautiful Peru."