| When we think of South America, colours spring to | | | | returned home to start the French label Sessún. |
| mind. Whether it's through the diverse landscapes | | | | Bringing the skills and crafts of Latin America back to |
| filled with indigenous flora and fauna, the pulsating | | | | her home soil, Francois infused her designs with the |
| vibes of the samba or the rich and vibrant culture | | | | ethos and abundant raw materials, combining them |
| that seems to weave its way through each town. | | | | with modern styles and finishing them with a distinct |
| Flair and effervescence thrive among the Latin | | | | artisan workmanship. |
| American communities, which can also be seen in | | | | Most designers that have been influenced by these |
| their fashions. From the intricate jewellery and bag | | | | trends have especially enjoyed the use and |
| motifs of the Mayan people to the designer women's | | | | manipulation of South America's main fashion export; |
| fashions of catwalk regulars like the elegant | | | | wool. The world's third biggest wool provider, South |
| Venezuelan Carolina Herrera and her structured and | | | | America has been an important source for the global |
| glamorous creations, along with the bold stylings of | | | | textile industry, with a range of animal fibres supplied, |
| Brazilian Carlos Miele. Miele's artistic stimulations have | | | | from the humble sheep to upmarket alpacas. These |
| always reflected his roots from bold colours to | | | | native Peruvian camelids produce a fleece that is |
| traditional techniques like crochet and patchwork | | | | graded on the same scale as cashmere and is also |
| inherent in his designs, and as such he is a firm | | | | hypo-allergenic. Often used in luxury scarves, ponchos |
| believer of giving back to his native Sao Paolo and | | | | and wraps, alpaca products are being successfully |
| employing the people who know best. | | | | introduced to the UK market through companies like |
| The acknowledgment of initiatives such as Fair Trade | | | | Melford Green in the renowned English wool area of |
| has brought a realisation of the poverty some areas | | | | Suffolk. |
| have suffered and helped instill much of the basic | | | | In addition to clothing, accessories using natural |
| rights of life that we take for granted, such as | | | | materials are becoming increasingly more popular. |
| education. It would seem designers have also | | | | Jewellery that features organic components like |
| followed suit, wanting to utilise the innate skills of the | | | | home-grown choco seeds, acai seeds and tagua nuts |
| local craftsmen and train them in contemporary | | | | are being used, along with snake crystals, bamboo, |
| fashions; proving that couture can effect even the | | | | amber, carved bone and of course, leathers. These |
| most impoverished of places. | | | | eco-friendly materials that have been harvested in a |
| As well as resident talent, it has also been the | | | | sustainable way, are utilised in opposition to the |
| inspiration for many designers such as the | | | | synthetic substances that have so far dominated the |
| award-winning Emma Francois. After visiting the | | | | market and can be found in the work of Gaia |
| continent in 1995, Francois became enthralled with the | | | | Accessories and The Andean Collection. |
| natural resources and craftsmanship on offer and | | | | |