Chilean textile designer Pitti Palacios sees her work as more than just a form of creative expression; she sees it as a social necessity.
“Seven years ago, I realized that artisanal Chilean sheep’s wool was being under-appreciated, which meant that only a few spinners were left in our country,” explains Pitti, a young, energetic woman with sparkling blue eyes. “It was in designing clothes that I discovered how to teach the national public to appreciate this material again.”
Utilizing non-traditional colors and incorporating contemporary designs, Pitti worked to decontextualize the material. The result was Design for Valparaiso, a quirky, unique label that has earned Pitti a spot in the ranks of prominent Chilean designers. Her store, which I stumbled upon during a walk through the hills of Valparaiso, has multiple uses including as workshop, office and exhibition space.
