NEWS | GUATEMALA TRIP 2025 – On the Road with A RUM FELLOW

A personal reflection FROM OUR CREATIVE DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER, CAROLINE LINDSELL, on the people, places, and partnerships that continue to shape A RUM FELLOW’s story in Guatemala.

This was probably one of the most special trips I’ve taken to Guatemala, since my very first visit with Dylan nearly twelve years ago with a seven month old baby strapped to my front. It’s also the longest break I’ve had from visiting, having missed 2024 due to other commitments and the opening of our new showroom.

Over the years, our weaving communities in Guatemala have become extended family. We’ve built the infrastructure together, supported their craft, and woven ourselves into their daily lives. While A RUM FELLOW may seem like a business focused on fabrics and rugs, at its heart it’s a business of people, incredibly talented, passionate people who literally put their hearts and souls into every piece they create.

Antigua

We landed in Guatemala City and made the short drive to the colonial town of Antigua to acclimatise. The city is a riot of colour: cobbled streets lined with artisans selling handmade goods and vibrant local produce. Our home for the first night was the Hotel Meson de Maria, with its courtyard garden breakfasts — scrambled eggs, frijolas, fried plantain, tortillas, queso, and spicy sauce — a personal favourite of mine anywhere in the world. Antigua’s skyline is framed by the dramatic Fuego volcano, often shrouded in clouds, revealing only glimpses of its peaks, making the landscape feel almost mystical.

A favourite spot is Los Tres Tiempos, a restaurant celebrating local crafts. Since my last visit, it has transformed: bright geometric murals have given way to earthy tones, desert-inspired textures, and oversized yarn art installations. Even the hand-carved furniture carries small celestial details, moons and stars etched into table edges.

Northern GuatemalaN HIGHLANDS: Floor Loom Workshops

Next, we travelled to Boanerges’ workshop in the Northern Highlands, near the Mexican border. This is where our treadle looms produce Pepenado, stripe, and Falseria fabrics by the metre. I first met Boanerges after working with his father Hector, who wove some of our Falseria fabrics. By 2022 it was clear that Boanerges had not only the technical skill but the leadership and kindness to run a workshop of his own. On family land, A RUM FELLOW helped build the ground floor, and in two years, the workshop has become a truly special space. Details matter: sockets by the looms for phones and headphones, overhead lighting, daylight streaming through large windows, a breakout area for coffee, and a staff bathroom with a shower. Happy weavers really do make happy fabrics.

We spent time reviewing current production, refining techniques and developing new fabrics for our upcoming A RUM FELLOW Summer 2026 collection. Warping looms, testing new lifting patterns, and adjusting weft structures may seem technical, but every decision impacts the quality, texture, and viability of the finished textile. Observing the weavers’ focus and teamwork reminded me that weaving is both an art and a deeply human process. We also made time to connect over lunches , dinners, and a team bowling day which created a lot of laughter. All the while learning and sharing small insights that often make a big difference in how we work together.

Lake Atitlán & Our K’iche BACKSTRAP ARTISANS

Lake Atitlán never fails to take my breath away. The caldera, surrounded by three imposing volcanoes, shimmers in shades of green, with boats zipping between towns faster than any car could travel the winding roads. We spent a rest day with Fabiola, our Guatemalan Production Manager who has been with us for around 7 years now. Together we took a boat to San Juan La Laguna for a natural dye workshop to learn and experiment dyeing yarn with banana stems, avocado pits, cochineal beetles, and various local plants. Absorbing centuries of knowledge and getting grinding, boiling and creating was the perfect way to spend the day.

The following day boat, we visited Casa Awanima in Tzununa for a cacao ceremony with our all-female backstrap weavers. From one chance meeting with Irma in 2019, this cooperative has grown to around 20 women, including multiple generations. Sharing cacao, stories, and time in nature, the circle created space for reflection, gratitude, and connection. Torrential rain in the afternoon turned the walk back into an adventure, rivers forming along the hill and all of us crammed into tuk-tuks, laughter ringing out despite the downpour.

The following day, we visited our K’iche Maya weaving group at artisan Elvia’s home. Elvia leads the cooperative with fairness and generosity, supporting new weavers and coordinating work. Jennifer, her daughter, still weaves while studying social work at university, combining study and craft seamlessly. Each woman’s story is deeply moving: independence built through weaving, families supported, skills passed to the next generation, resilience in the face of hardship. During our meetings, we discussed production, pricing, and new designs. Their voices are always heard, even those who only speak K’iche’, ensuring decisions are collaborative and fair.

These moments stay with me: a warm drink made by Elvia on a chilly day, laughter spilling over as panels are examined, small discoveries in weaving technique that improve a fabric. There’s love in the work, love in the textiles, and love in sharing these days together. Many of these women have faced personal hardships, yet in their weaving, and in our collaboration, they find empowerment, pride, and community.

This trip reminded me why we do what we do. Guatemala, with its lush landscapes, vibrant towns, and, most importantly, the talented people we work alongside, continues to inspire me. It’s a balance of craft, culture, and connection, ensuring traditional skills thrive while creating sustainable livelihoods. Every warp, every weft, every colour and texture is infused with care, thought, and story. This is the essence of A RUM FELLOW: people, craft, and the interior spaces their work transforms around the world.