Since 2013, our H Project team, led by Alexandra Weston, DVP, Brand and Creative Strategy, has curated a collection of extraordinary products with extraordinary stories. Cultures, crafts and artisans are front and centre as the team brings together a unique assortment of socially conscious fashion, accessories, décor, textiles and cosmetics from around the world. The resulting specialty shop, H Project, celebrates humanity, health and habitat at Holts.
Each year, H Project turns its focus to a distinct region as part of the Uncrate a Culture program. Partnering with renowned designers, the team connects with a region, travelling and learning about the traditional craftsmanship of native artisans while creating a one-of-a-kind capsule collection along the way. For Fall 2016, they travelled through South America’s majestic mountains and sweeping salt flats, exploring Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia where they met local artisans, experienced rich cultures and discovered remarkable finds.
OTAVALO MARKET
Each year, H Project turns its focus to a distinct region as part of the Uncrate a Culture program. Partnering with renowned designers, the team connects with a region, travelling and learning about the traditional craftsmanship of native artisans while creating a one-of-a-kind capsule collection along the way. For Fall 2016, they travelled through South America’s majestic mountains and sweeping salt flats, exploring Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia where they met local artisans, experienced rich cultures and discovered remarkable finds.
"Empowering a young woman to pay her way through an education she would not otherwise receive and forge her own future is priceless. That is what Me to We products do!”
- Alexandra Weston, DVP, Brand & Creative Strategy
BRAIDED & BEADED
The team visited a group of skilled female artisans in Pulingi to learn more about local alternative income initiatives. The group, who make traditional Ecuadorian jewellery pieces, lead every step of the process, from sourcing materials to production.
More traditional pieces are made from handpicked nuts and seeds collected sustainably in the rainforest, while modern loom beaded bracelets feature South American motifs.
"Through their traditional weaving work, these women are empowered to become providers for their families and leader in their community - it's incredibly inspiring."
- Roxanne Joyal, Founder Me to We Artisans
ECOTINTES
New York-based designer Ulla Johnson, who’s known for her dreamy boho dresses and hand-knit cable sweaters, took the H Project team to Ecotintes, just outside of Lima. The father-daughter business organically dyes the cotton and handspun alpaca yarns used in Ulla Johnson’s designs. Vegetable dyes provide a traditional alternative to harmful and environmentally toxic synthetic dyes — and Ecotintes has perfected the practice, consistently creating beautiful colours and shades.
"Watching Ulla Johnson's poncho design come to life on Daniels loom was so satifying, I now know who made my Ulla piece, I met him, and I will now think of him and appreciate his work every time i wear it!"
- Alexandra Weston, DVP, Brand & Creative Strategy
"The country is so vast and varied; it's an incredible journey filled with colour, pattern and true artisanal beauty"
- Ulla Johnson
“It was an emotional moment when Franceska declared her wish, that one day, she will be able to go to a single mother on the streets of Bolivia and say, come, knit with us, be a part of our family, there is opportunity here for you”
- Alexandra Weston, DVP, Brand & Creative Strategy
“La Paz has an extremely rich culture and is situated in a valley surrounded by the awesome Andes mountains. It’s here, at an altitude of almost 12,000 feet, where the Alpaca herds that are used to spin the yarns for Smythe knits are raised.”
– Andrea Lenczner & Christie Smythe