Huipiles de Mexico are crafted by indigenous women from the Isthmus de Tehuantepec, known as Tehuanas. The blouses are called huipiles, (pronounced “wee-peel-less”), are hand embroidered by Tehuana women, taking them up to a year to complete. Huipiles are embroidered on velvet/velveteen or satin/silk and are lined with a cotton print.
The famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo dressed in and is known by this indigenous attire; it was a way of expressing her solidarity with “la gente”, the people. The matriarchal society of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec held a great admiration and respect for her.
