Peruvian Connection has long been committed to making exceptional original design clothing based on artisan textile traditions. In creating this blog, we hope to encourage a community of textile enthusiasts and to provide a forum for their shared discoveries, ideas and commentary. Artists, individualists, romantics and visionaries, we hope you’ll join in.
« April 2008 | Home | June 2008 »
A store-front view of Noche de Milagros (Night of Miracles).
Patrons enjoy warm conversation, flamenco guitar and the treasures of our At-Home department.
Guests were treated to the Peruvian dish of "Ceviche", one of several Peruvian appetizers.
Wine and shopping - the perfect combination!
Here in America, we’re always thinking about size. The bigger, the better. You know, the Empire State Building, the Mighty Mississippi, the Giant Redwoods, the Great Plains. I noticed the other day that the Hungry Man brand of TV dinners now come in size XXL.
And speaking of men, no one looms larger on our pop culture landscape this month than Dad. Advertisers, from tire-makers to cellular phone purveyors, seek our ear and our buying impulses, so we can demonstrate to our fathers that they are indeed biggest and best in our respective families.
And when it comes to Father’s Day, we’re not just in Kansas anymore—we share our celebration of “the big guy” the third Sunday in June with 40 countries, from Argentina to Zimbabwe, including Japan, the UK and Peru. Germany is a notable exception, observing no similar family-oriented event for their “Vaters.” (Instead, the men literally take a hike. They get together to walk and pull along a beer or wine wagon for refreshment. If you think I’m kidding, look up Herrentag—Gentlemen’s Day.)
So, here’s the deal. We’d love for you to share with us your yarns about dad. Think Dustin Hoffman. No, not about big noses. About “Hero” tributes and your own “Little Big Man” moments. (And, of course, if dad was wearing one of our shirts at the time, all the better, wink!)
In the late 14th century of the Ming Dynasty, the use of woven or embroidered insignia badges were worn at the chest and back of robes to indicate rank in social and military circles. The mandated system specified a particular bird or animal for each of the nine ranks.
In the above Ming-dynasty badge of silk and gold threads, we see a pair of phoenixes. The phoenix was associated with the empress, just as the dragon was the symbol of the emperor. Here, the paired phoenixes identify the owner of this insignia as an imperial lady or high-ranking noble woman.
As you look more closely you will find more symbolic references. The long-tailed pair focus on each other with intense energy, their curving forms spiraling that energy inward toward the center of the badge. The perched male bird sits on a rock over waves, an abbreviated reference to the deep sea / cosmic mountain motif. Lingzhi mushrooms of immortality grow near the rocks. He turns his head towards his mate, who hovers above in a cloud-filled sky. (It was unusual to have a female figure higher than a male during this time.) Three large peonies in full bloom, emblems of female beauty, separate the pair and complete the imagery.
This single museum piece was the inspiration for three of our designs. If you would like to empower the same female energy as our imperial lady then you can wear her insignia here:
I had the privilege of attending Rich Lloyd's funeral in Salt Lake City yesterday afternoon. Annie and I were awestruck to see that the parking lot to the Salt Lake Olympus Stake Center was full when we arrived 1 hour prior to the service. When we entered the Church there were literally hundreds of people standing and sharing stories of Rich and many many more standing in line to sign the guest book and pay their final respects at the open casket.
Throughout the service friends and family reiterated Rich's motto "Live Rich" which translated means "Life is about people...not things." To learn how Rich felt about this please read about "Living Rich" in a blog by Sam Decker, a friend and colleague from Dell where Rich worked before Peruvian Connection.
http://decker.typepad.com or http://www.bazaarblog.com.
For me, personally, "Life is about people...not things" has new definition. Put into a work context...it's what Rich, and I, both love about Peruvian Connection. This company is not just a place to go to work... it's a family that cares for each other...a community that shares with each other...and a place that helps you get up when you are down.
Put into a personal context...it's about what I choose to do everyday...the relationships I form...the bonds of family and friends...the smiles of my daughters when I come home at night...a hug from my wife...a call with my parents...talking to my friends...crying...praying...
I thought about all of these things while attending Rich's service. I wasn't the only one...there were hundreds (if not a thousand) people thinking the same thing...feeling the same feelings. I know that Rich would have approved.
