Artesano means 'hand-crafted,' which is exactly right — each of these pieces is made by artisans who work out of their homes in coastal and mountainous towns in Ecuador. The line celebrates traditional Ecuadorian craftsmanship (co-founders Claudia and Xavier grew up in Guayaquil,) as well as sustainable and environmentally conscious production. This bag is made from toquilla straw, which is harvested from a palm-like plant that's native to the area. The leaves are hand-cut, dried, bleached, then woven tightly together into a rigid, chicly rectangular bag/clutch hybrid. Note that the shape is quite shallow, so it's best for traveling light. (Things that are relatively flat will work — a book, wallet, phone — but anything more bulbous than an apple is probably pushing it.)
