Victoria Aguirre is driven by a passion for the traditional crafts of her native Argentina. ‘Pampa’s aesthetic is very much informed by our quest to rediscover Argentina’s threatened cultures, and revive lost weaving traditions,’ the creative director explains. ‘All our designs and colourways are deeply rooted in the country’s heritage, and are a product of generations of artisan knowledge and skill.’
It’s been a busy couple of years since we last spoke with Victoria and her partner, Carl, from Pampa. The pair opened their first bricks-and-mortar showroom in Byron Bay late last year – a beautiful space they share with Melbourne-based Pop & Scott.
Having their own showroom has given Pampa space to experiment with a variety of new products, including a recently launched collection of ‘Mini Rugs’. Just 90cm x 60cm in size, this collection was inspired by a particular group of weavers they met on their most recent trip to Argentina.
‘During our last trip, we met a beautiful group of weavers, but because of their age, they’re weren’t able to produce big rugs, as it’s a very time-intensive, physical process,’ Victoria explains. ‘It was not good for their spirit to be away from the loom, and isolated from the rest of the co-op’.
Inspired by these older weavers, Pampa’s ‘Mini Rugs’ collection was created. ‘When we first presented the idea to them, they jumped at the opportunity to keep practicing the art they love so much, and stay close to their looms’ Victoria confirms.
Just like their larger rugs, Pampa’s Mini Rugs start with 100% raw sheep’s and llama’s wool, dyed with natural pigments obtained from plants, flowers, vegetables, insects and smoke, informing the earthy colour palette Pampa have become known for. Finally, the Mini Rugs are woven by hand on a small loom, two at a time.
Originally designed to be used as bedside rugs or entrance mats, the Mini Rugs also look great when displayed as artwork on the wall. A fitting treatment for these small pieces of Argentinian handcrafted history!
View Pampa’s Mini Rugs online, or in their byron Showroom – unit 4/57 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay, 2481, NSW.
