Common Threads, a blog from Peruvian Connection

Washington DC - Party Pics

2008-10-30T14:15:13-05:00

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!

Washington DC Store - Grand Opening

2008-10-27T16:58:36-05:00

We had a fabulous party in Washington DC for the Grand Opening of our new flagship retail store!

Peruanista is an independent blog site featuring stories about Peru and Peruvians in the United States. Watch their video interview with founder and CEO of Peruvian Connection Annie Hurlbut and read the blog summary of the event here.

Goddess Findings is another independent blogger who visited our store. Read her blog entry here.

Also, one party-goer, Margaret was kind enough to post her diary of the event here.

Stay Tuned! Party pictures posted soon!

Hand Crochet: A Stitch In Time

2008-10-27T16:10:57-05:00

Sometimes in our fast-paced, homogenized, dry-thru, mass-produced world we forget to stop and notice the simple mastery of hand-craftsmanship. Hand-crochet lace became popular in Europe during the 1800's but some theorize it evolved from traditional practices from more exotic cultures such as South America.

Every season at Peruvian Connection we showcase a collection of hand-crochet designs uniquely and masterfully crafted by our Peruvian artisans. Each meticulously crocheted design is a master-work of minute stitches reminiscent of the Old World craftsmanship that fueled its popularity through Europe in the 1800's.

Take a look at this indelible craft for yourself:
Wine and Roses Cardgian
Savoy Crochet Cardgian
Cabbage Rose Cardigan
Floribunda Pullover
Cottage Cardigan

To find a collection of hand crocheted accessories simply enter the word "crochet" in the key-word search box in the upper right hand corner of the site.

Inis Meáin: Anchored in Tradition

2008-10-23T16:16:40-05:00

The secret of Peruvian Connection's success is in its relationships. It is important that our collection not only reflect a unique range of high quality garments but also support, promote and encourage the traditions and life-styles of our knitting partners. While our commitment to South America is obvious and unyielding we are proud of our long-standing association with the Inis Meáin Knitting Company out of Ireland.

Anchored in a long tradition of hand-knitting, Inis Meáin is in a league of its own. It designs, makes and exports from a tiny island out in the Atlantic twenty miles off the Galway coast. Since 1977 they have provided regular employment for a small group of islanders, which is important in a place where young people are often forced to go to the mainland or abroad to find work.

They reinterpet classic Aran themes in the most luxurious of yarns such as alpaca, cashmere, Merino wool and silk. We are proud to offer a touch of this tradition in our Holiday collection with their baby alpaca and silk Replica Sweater.

Leather: An Enduring Trend

2008-10-22T14:39:33-05:00

According to Women's Wear Daily a big trend for Autumn is leather - again! This enduring product has outfitted the desperados of the Old West, protected our flyboys in open cockpits, defined "cool" on the backs of Marlon Brando and James Dean, and strutted down designer runways during Olympus Fashion Week. Leather apparel is undoubtedly infused our culture with a rebel spirit and rock and roll bravado, but leather has many faces. It can be dressed up for a stroll down 5th Avenue or roughed up to fix barbed wire on the ranch. The question then becomes, "Which face are you today?"

Fortunately, no matter your mood, the go-anywhere elegance of our Treviso Leather Coat can be casual, professional or formal in the indulgent velvety softness of New Zealand lamb leather. So consider the lasting beauty of an iconic leather garment this season for yourself and tap into this recurring thrend.

Interpreting India's Beauty Into Knit

2008-09-08T15:07:20-05:00

(A 19th Century Coverlet from Andhra Pradesh.)

(Our Shadow Blossom Skirt and Gilded Lily Kimono were inspired by the antique textile shown above.)

Beautiful textiles and crafts, vibrant religious festivals and a sensorial cuisine, Andhra Pradesh (situated on the south plateau of one of the oldest geological formations in India) offers some of the most indelible impressions of southern Asia. Such rich cultural gifts cannot help but inspire and such was the case when one of our designers found an antique textile from that region.

Our Shadow Blossom Skirt and Gilded Lily Kimono both share an ornamental array of botanical vines, flowers and peacocks as well as a striking star-floral medallion borrowed from the original textile.

Experience India's lush beauty and culture for yourself with these stunning jacquard knit interpretations.

"The Most Beautiful Store in Washington DC"

2008-09-04T12:21:39-05:00

Store Adore featured a story in their September newsletter called "The Most Beautiful Stores in the Country" and Peruvian Connection was selected as their top pick for Washington DC!!

I had the pleasure and opportunity to visit our flagship full-line retail store in Washington DC last month. Peruvian Connection has a small collection of Outlet stores but this store is something completely different. Designed from the ground up by Annie and furnished with her own collection of antiques, each evoking a life-time of archaeological adventure and treasure. This unique store concept is meant to captivate the imagination as well as feature our latest collection of clothing, accessories and At-Home wares.

Our Grand Opening celebration will be October 16 but our doors are open now! Visit us at:
Peruvian Connection
950 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
202-737-4405
Hours: 10-6 Monday - Saturday, 12-5 Sunday