This time, Alzac Kamakura will be introducing the Chimayo vest from ORTEGA'S, a company with over 100 years of history in Chimayo, a small village in New Mexico, USA.

I visited the workshop and direct store a few years ago and it's a brand I've loved for a long time.

The beauty of these crafts cannot be summed up simply as branded goods. This item is available in four colors and is in rare deadstock condition, making it difficult to find these days.

The roots of Chimayo weaving date back to the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The wool and looms brought by Spanish settlers were combined with the traditional patterns and techniques of the local Native American (Pueblo) people, resulting in the unique development of the Chimayo blanket.

The Ortega family has continued to preserve this history to this day, preserving the traditional manufacturing methods passed down through the family for over eight generations.

Completely handmade, with no regard for efficiency.

The reason Ortega vests are unique is because of the way they are made. Unlike modern, efficient machine weaving, artisans still operate wooden looms (hand looms) and weave each piece by hand.

Each thread is carefully woven into the wool, giving it the uneven rhythm, thickness, and warmth of a handwoven fabric. The unique geometric pattern in the center changes slightly depending on the weaver's sensibility, so no two pieces are exactly alike.

The item we have in stock this time is a deadstock item with beautiful coloring that is hard to find these days. All items are available in women's sizes. The compact length and the comfortable feel of handwoven wool that hugs your body make them perfect for layering with shirts, dresses, and cut-and-sew tops.

• Red : The energetic and passionate red that symbolizes Chimayo. → Product page: Ortega's Chimayo Vest - Red

• Yellow : A warm, deep yellow reminiscent of the New Mexico sun. → Product page: Ortega's Chimayo Vest - Yellow

• Blue : A refreshing and elegant blue, like a clear sky. → Product page: Ortega's Chimayo Vest - Blue

• Natural : A soft and gentle natural style that brings out the natural texture of wool. → Product page: Ortega's Chimayo Vest - Natural

ARZACH KAMAKURA is a 10-minute walk from Kamakura Station. We offer items that have been passed down from hand to hand and that contain the warmth of human body.

Ortega vests are a "lifetime" masterpiece that will conform to the shape of your body the more you wear them, and will develop a unique texture over the course of 10 or 20 years. We hope that women will enjoy wearing this traditional vest in a light, just-right size.

Please come and experience the colors and handwoven texture at our physical store in Kamakura or online shop.