The purple snail (Plicopurpura pansa) inhabits the rocky shores of the Pacific coast, from Baja California to Peru. It produces an ink that turns purple when oxidized, which has been used since pre-Hispanic times to dye textiles. During the 1980s, massive exploitation bed to the near extinction of the species in Oaxaca. Thanks to the efforts of the Mixtec dyers from Pinotepa de Don Luis and specialists such as Marta Turok, these activities were stopped, and the Mixtec people were legally recognized as the only ones authorized to extract the dye in a sustainable way.

Our trip patches pay homage to our textile roots while offering a meaningful, collectible keepsake for each trip. Launching them as part of our 10th anniversary feels like a beautiful way to celebrate both our past and our ongoing commitment to enriching the experiences we offer.

In Santiago Niltepec, a quiet town in Oaxaca’s Isthmus region, indigo thrives under the intense sun, grown and processed using centuries-old, chemical-free methods. Visitors during the annual féria cultural del añil can witness the full dyeing process, from early morning harvests to fermentation in historic pilas. This experience offers a deeper connection to the rich heritage of indigo and the people who continue its tradition.

On the coast of Oaxaca you can find wild cotton plants, which have been growing freely for more than 10,000 years and heirloom cotton plants which have been continuously cultivated in the region for more than 4,000 years. Here, we share more about the cooperatives responsible for stewarding the land and working with the fiber.

This March 2025, we are excited to be receiving our fourth round of residents in our group residency program, hosted in collaboration with TEXERE.

This sessions residents include: Nicole Castillo, Sadie Clarendon, Lella Crystal, Malaury Eloi Paisley, Mayssa Kanaan, Raina Lee, Francine Milagros, Isabella Morrison, Hope Okere and Alida Rodrigues.

This January 2025, we are excited to be receiving our third round of residents in our group residency program, hosted in collaboration with TEXERE.

This sessions residents include: Emelie Richardson, Jay Lee, Alexa Anderson, Faviola Lopez-Romani, Helen Barass, Dorte Bundt, Diana Eusebio, Katerine Bautista, Rosa Fitz, Seyi Adeyinka, and Amelia Burrus-Granger.

We are so lucky to call painter Johanna Palmieri both a friend and team member.

While I’ve had the personal privilege of getting to know her, I wanted our extended community to have a deeper introduction to her and her work. Here, I talk with Johanna about the start of her creative journey, where she finds inspiration and more.

Conoce al equipo de nuestro proyecto hermano TEXERE. TEXERE es una casa textil ubicada en Santa Maria del Tule, Oaxaca, donde recibimos residentes dedicadxs al investigación y producción de textiles. Ofrecemos talleres, un estudio compartido y materiales a la venta. Aqui, presentamos a nuestro querido equipo.

Artist and designer Christina Hattler of Mexchic introduces her investigation into the Pochote tree’s silky fiber and tannin-rich pod shells.

We were fortunate to have artist and photographer Thayer Gowdy attend our Oaxaca Ceramics trip, hosted in collaboration with Colectivo 1050.

Thayer’s photos paint the full picture of our trip: rural countryside ceramic studios and Hierve el Agua mineral springs blended with fine dining and art gallery visits.

Our favorite Thread Caravan trips for interior designers -- and what the past interior design clients have to say!

Introducing our partners Naiana Nami, with whom we host a Oaxaca craft retreat, and have supported in the production of the videos featured here, documenting our Oaxacan artisan partners Los Benitos, Silvia Martinez Diaz and Arte Seda in collaboration with videographer Arturo Lavariega.

An ikebana floral arranging workshop in barro rojo ceramic vessels, in partnership with Sitio Serendipia and Mujeres del Barro Rojo, for our Mother's Day retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Luke Della Santa from Piece Collectors documents Thread Caravan's Oaxaca Weaving Retreat through his unique perspective.