Our Process
Fringe Hill’s mission is to create high quality, small-batch leather bags using techniques passed down through generations of artisans. After opening a small sewing boutique in Mexico, Kimberly founded Fringe Hill out of her Texas home. Since then we have organically grown, partnering with friends we have made through out Central America. Working closely with our skilled leather workers and loom weavers we create products that combine traditional craft with our modern western design. It is through these partnerships that Fringe Hill connects the heritage of our past to your present. Learn more about our artisan partners and what makes each bag unique.
León, Mexico
Fringe Hill found a kindred spirit in our main artist Alfredo, a master leather worker in the northern town of León, Mexico. Like Kimberly, he also learned his craft from a grandparent. Born in León, Alfredo’s grandfather, master artisan shoe maker, taught him the art of leather craft. Thankfully for us, he realized his true passion was creating bags. It is a tight knit group that we are blessed to partner with.
His amazing team of 8 master artisans have now been together for more than ten years. Their attention to quality and craftsmanship is exceptional, handed down through the generations.
Each bag is hand waxed one at a time to protect and create that perfect look we love.
A dedicated partner, Alfredo hand picks each hide of leather from cows locally sourced in Mexico.
We are in constant (daily) communication, discussing hides, designs and new ideas (bag talk). Fringe Hill is very proud of our very small León team, their expertise and years of experience are evident in even the smallest details of Fringe Hill bags.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Farther south, and up into the mountains, live the artisans in Weaver’s Village Oaxaca, Mexico. Together we create some of the most beautiful traditional textiles. We have the privilege of traveling to these mountains and learning these trades first hand. Fringe Hill is honored to partner with our ethical and passionate weaving family in Oaxaca, Mexico. Our Oaxaca family has been cultivating the tradition of hand-weaving for generations. Alicia says it best, “We work with our hands and minds to bring alive our culture. Our goal is to work in solidarity to produce and commercialize high quality textiles. We are supporting the use of eco-systems to produce our natural dyes. The sources we use to dye our fibers come from nature.”
So using skills that often take years to master, these accomplished artisans hand weave each textile on a large loom with hand-dyed wool. The dye is created using only naturally sourced materials. For instance, the yellow dye is from the percicon plant, the blue dye from the indigo plant, the green dye from a type of moss, and red dye from chonineal, a type of insect that fed on cactus. Alicia said, “Using these natural resources give us a great satisfaction that we are not harming our environment.” We are delighted to work with Alicia and her family, and we’re always excited to create beautiful art together.
Read more about our trips to Mexico and the Oaxacan Weaving Process.
Guatemala
Our newest partners are a small family team in Guatemala. We have been lucky enough to work together for a couple years now. This rewarding relationship continues to transpire as we both grow and learn from each other. We work closely with our team to source true vintage huipil hand-embroidered pieces and ikat dyed fabrics. These embroidered pieces and dyed fabrics are combined with high quality, full-grain leather from locally sourced cows in Huehuetenenango.
The complex Ikat weaving technique has been practiced all over the world since the 10th century. This particular weaving technique is known for its difficulty in part because the design is dyed on the thread before it is loaded onto the loom. Every 10 yd of meticulously handwoven textile takes 2 months to complete. Several variations of Ikat weaving exist, but they all require the expertise and knowledge of master weavers, who continue to preserve this living tradition with each unique, intricate weave.
Fringe Hill is proud to work with our skilled family team of artisans and they are thrilled to work with us, as they continue to create these beautiful works of traditional artisan craft, both textile and leather.
Austin, Texas
Back where it began, here in Austin is where the designing begins, we draw, cut and sew our ideas together. After being brought to life by artists down south, we assemble each bag before packaging them and shipping to you.
Fringe Hill has grown organically. Our partnerships have thrived through admiration and respect. For more on Fringe Hill roots read about.