Case Study | Design as a Force for Positive Change
For us, design can be a force for positive change, but this belief only really matters when it is tested through real relationships and long term commitment. Our partnership with Boanerges, a master weaver in Guatemala, is one of the clearest examples of this approach in action.
We first met Boanerges in 2019, at the time he was weaving working on a single treadle loom in his father Hectors homestead. We’d been working with Hectorfor a number of years, he is warm and welcoming, deeply proud of his craft and happy to share it. Over time, Boanerges’ son also began working alongside him, learning the same techniques.
father & son
Don Hector & Boanerges
From the outset, the quality of the weaving was clear. It was precise, technically strong and consistently well made. Equally important was Boanerges’ approach. He was open, thoughtful and willing to experiment.
One day, Caroline arrived at his workshop with a small piece of narrow fabric using a technique traditionally reserved for decorative panels. Over a cup of tea, a simple question emerged. Could this technique be developed further and translated into something more ambitious. That question marked the beginning of a long process.
Through close collaboration, technical development and steady investment, we worked together to adapt this technique into a commercially viable wide width yardage fabric, entirely handwoven. Achieving consistency at this scale by hand is complex and requires patience, trust and shared problem solving. The fabric that emerged was distinctive and robust, woven entirely by hand to a consistently high standard. It exists because of the depth of the partnership behind it.
As the work grew, so did Boanerges’ workshop. He moved from working on a single loom at his father’s home to establishing his own weaving space. With our support, he acquired land and built a workshop from the ground up, supported by zero interest loans. Today, the mill works exclusively on weaving for us, creating stability and focus.
Alongside this growth, Boanerges has proived to be a strong and capable manager. He has created a positive, supportive working environment for his artisan team, built on respect, fairness and shared responsibility. The workshop is calm and collaborative, and the fabrics produced reflect this through their consistency and quality.
Today, the workshop operates five looms, employing and training weavers from across the local community. With our support the mill is now entering its second phase of growth, with additional floors being added to support future orders and development.
This exemplifies our long term perspective, working closely with Boanerges to develop new designs with purpose, with a shared focus on continuity rather than short term production. The artisans are paid well above market rate and national standards. Paying a wage premium is important to us, ensuring that the benefits of the partnership are felt across the wider team.
This way of working brings together thoughtful design and responsible collaboration. The interiors industry gains access to exceptional handcrafted textiles with a unique aesthetic, while artisans gain stable work, fair reward and the opportunity to build something lasting within their community.
It is a continual process, but it is a partnership built on trust, shared values and the belief that design, used well, can be a positive force for lasting change.
