If you’re looking to sprinkle some sizzle into your wardrobe for Singapore’s forever-summer weather, Maracuya’s handmade artisanal accessories will add that sultry touch in a snap.

Maracuya is Spanish for passion fruit. But to Carolina Bouteiller, it is more than just a  native fruit of South America. It personifies her fashion passion.

The Colombian-French and long-time Singapore resident adopted the name Maracuya for her fashion initiative, which showcases a curated selection of Colombian artisanal accessories including handbags, jewellery and headbands.

Each handmade piece tells a story steeped in history, tradition and craftsmanship that has been handed down through generations.

Maracuya represents the beauty of tropical countries and the word passion captures what I feel for this initiative, according to Carolina, proudly adding that Maracuya celebrates South America’s local traditions and practices.  

“The products we offer are handcrafted, sometimes for days, by artisans who learned these techniques over the decades. I imagine our artisans painstakingly preparing each item and I want to honour their stories, dedication and hard work,” she muses.

One of Maracuya’s best-selling products is the bright and colourful handstitched Wayuu mochila bag. These bags are handwoven by the indigenous Wayuu people (the “people of the sun, sand and wind”) who live in the northern Colombian region of La Guajira, an extremely dry and semi-arid area facing the Caribbean sea.

Over the years, the Wayuus have been stricken by hunger due to extreme climate conditions, pollution and local mining within the area. Despite the challenges, the Wayuus have, for generations, kept their traditional craft of “La Tejeduría”, the art of meticulously hand-stitching (crocheting or weaving) accessories.

 “The Wayuu Mochila bag is an expression of art and conveys the artisan’s thoughts, feelings and vision of their world. Their beliefs and environment influence each bag’s pattern and colour, turning an accessory into a window of the culture and traditions of this beautiful indigenous group,” says Carolina. “It brings me joy to be able to share their creativity with the Singapore market and, eventually, with the rest of Asia.”

Maracuya is committed to sourcing only ethically handmade products without sacrificing design and comfort, a belief that could be traced to Carolina’s early years growing up in her birth country. 

As a teenager, Carolina was moved and inspired by her mother, a teacher in Colombia, who was active in helping impoverished neighbourhoods. Following her mother’s example, Carolina became a local volunteer, helping vulnerable individuals by working with partners to teach them new skills to increase their employment opportunities. Many of the participants acquired skills in the handicraft industry.  

Since its launch in January 2020 in Singapore, Maracuya has opened pop-up stores in partnership with Singapore retail outlets.  

Michelle | ws

Marukaya accessories: https://www.instagram.com//maracuyahandmade. 

Images courtesy of Maracuya