Stepping Into Tradition: Preserving Craft in a World of Mass Production
Written by Katie Capozzi, Senior Manager of Strategic Accounts
While on a personal trip to Oaxaca City, I had the chance to visit Teotitlán del Valle, a Zapotec village just outside the city known for its deep-rooted weaving tradition. I spent a few hours in a family-run workshop learning how they make their rugs. Every step is done by hand, and every detail is intentional.
Textiles are a big part of what we do at Debrand, but seeing them made this way, starting from raw wool and ending in finished rugs, puts everything in a new perspective. This wasn’t about trends or mass production. It was about heritage, patience, and skill.
The process starts with wool—washed by hand in wooden baskets, then carded to soften and align the fibers. After that, it’s spun into yarn using a spindle or wheel. No fancy machines. Just precision, intention and patience.
Next comes dyeing — one of the most creative aspects of the process. The colors are created from natural materials: crushed cochineal insects for reds and purples, indigo for blues, marigold and pomegranate for other shades. The artisans add limestone to shift the pH and create even more variation. No two dye batches are the same, which makes each rug one of a kind.
Once dyed, the yarn is woven into rugs using traditional looms. Each rug is made by one person from start to finish. Everyone has their own weaving tension and technique, so consistency comes from keeping one set of hands on a single piece. Many patterns are rooted in Zapotec cosmology — geometric shapes, animal forms, and symbols tied to the natural elements.
What really stood out was how deeply the work is embedded in the community. Almost every household has a loom. Kids grow up learning the craft. The village and Oaxaca City don’t allow big fashion brands into the local market, which helps protect the artisan economy and keep value within the community.
It was also clearly stated that the rugs are meant to be used, not preserved as a decoration. That stuck with me. These pieces are made to be part of everyday life. Walking on them doesn’t ruin the design — it enhances it.
It made me think about how we value materials and the idea of “newness” in the fashion industry. What if use and age were part of the product’s value? It makes the intentionality of how the item was made that much more worthwhile, and gives the items we use every day a story.
Teotitlán del Valle offers a tangible example of what long-term thinking in textiles can look like. Experiencing the village’s approach to craft deepened my understanding of sustainability as something rooted in culture, community, and care for natural resources. Each textile isn’t just a product; it’s a reflection of knowledge passed down through generations and a reminder of the value in slowing down and preserving what matters.