OUR STORY
A dream come true
Hilos y Colores is a family-run social enterprise founded by Faustino Flores Mendes and supported by the active participation of his wife, Mercedes Yauri Ataucusi, and their children. The story of Hilos y Colores is rooted in the textile tradition of Ayacucho and Faustino and Mercedes’ commitment to address the social, cultural and economic history of their origins.
Faustino was born in the Vinchos district of Ayacucho, a region influenced by the Wari culture. As the eldest son of a widowed mother, Faustino left his mother’s home at age 9 due to socio-political problems caused by terrorism in the region and migrated to the city of Huamanga. In Huamanga, Faustino was welcomed into the workshop of Edwin Sulca, a master weaver who taught Faustino the art of the loom and inspired the mystery of combining threads and colors to capture the designs that passed through his imagination.
Following his apprenticeship, Faustino established himself an independent artist and created masterful tapestries that captured rich Andean iconography. Faustino met his wife Mercedes who descends from a lineage of traditional artisans from the town of Vinchos in Ayacucho and together they share a love for artisanal products and a desire to support artisans across Ayacucho. In 1995 Hilos y Colores began its work to merge the loom with traditional embroidery techniques and create modern designed wall hangings, rugs, cushions, belts, dolls and other accessories. The company was formally formed in 2006.
Designs are inspired by the rich culture of the Andean people and the native flowers of the region. Working with wool, cotton and alpaca, Hilos y Colores provides work for women artisans in rural areas throughout Ayacucho with a deep care for the environment and social responsibility. Faustino, Mercedes, their family and the entire community of Hilos y Colors are constantly researching ways to preserve traditional textile techniques while innovating new designs and reaching new markets and clients.