As a certain Dante used to say (yes, the one in the Divine Comedy): "He cannot understand passion who does not experience it".
When I started this project, I didn't know how far I could go. The only thing I had clear was an idea: I wanted to create something authentic, something that spoke of our hands, our heart and our love for what is well done. For me, craftsmanship is not just a job; it is a way of life, of connecting with what we do and with the people who value what is behind each piece.
However, the reality we are facing is harsh. What will happen to craftsmanship if the new generations do not pick up the baton? If it is already difficult to explain everything behind a handmade bag, imagine the challenge of convincing a young person to dedicate themselves to such a meticulous, slow craft in a world where everything is based on immediacy.
Craftsmanship is an act of love and endurance.
Every bag that leaves our workshop carries with it hours of dedication, attention to detail and a little piece of our history.. For us, craftsmanship is an act of resistance in a world that seems to be moving too fast. It is our way of saying that what is made with love and time is priceless.
But above all, craft is passion. It is that fire that drives you to do things better every day, to seek perfection without leaving aside the imperfection of the human, because in the end, that is where the magic lies: in the unique, in the unrepeatable, in the handmade.
But here comes the great dilemma: How can we prevent craftsmanship from disappearing? Because the harsh reality is that, if we do not act now, we are one step away from losing an invaluable cultural heritage.
Why are handicrafts being lost?
- The generational problemThe generational problem: Fewer and fewer young people are choosing to learn a craft. The patience and time required to learn it do not fit well in a world of instant gratification.
- Competition from fast fashionWhile the big chains offer fast and cheap products, consumers lose sight of the true value of handmade goods.
- Lack of perceived profitabilityThe idea that crafting is not profitable or sustainable as a career deters new generations.
What we are losing
This isn't just about bags (although, hey, our bags are beautiful and imagine what would happen if no one wanted to make them). This is about losing culture, history and identity. Craftsmanship is not just a craft; it is a way of telling who we are, of connecting with our roots and transmitting values from generation to generation. If this generational relay does not happen, we not only lose techniques and workshops, but also a more sustainable way of doing things.
At Labienhecha we are committed to manual processes, to keeping artisanal techniques alive and to recycled materials. We believe in local production as an antidote to the environmental impact of fast fashion. But if these trades disappear, so does the responsible and ethical alternative that we defend so much.
What we are doing at Labienhecha
This is where I take my chest out, because, although it is not easy,in Labienhecha we have decided not to stand idly by. The solution? To train the new generations ourselves. Yes, what you read. If we can't find craftswomen already trained, we train them ourselves.
It is a process that takes time, effort and patience (a lot of patience). It also involves a very high cost (how long do you think it takes us to train a person?...because I will tell you that nobody in Labienhecha knows what they are doing until 3 months have passed and that they do not have any autonomy until at least 6 months...).
But you know what, it's worth it.
Every time a new colleague learns to cut, sew, shape a bag or paint, I feel like we are winning a small but important battle. We don't make bags here. We make magic with our hands, and every piece that leaves the workshop has a story behind it.
What else can we do to save the craft? This depends on everyone:
Keeping crafts alive is not just up to the artisans. It's up to all of us.It depends on all of us: businesses, consumers and governments. Here are some ideas to keep in mind:
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Invest in training.We need more schools, more accessible programs and more opportunities to learn these trades. But we also need to modernize education, combining tradition with innovation. And make it very attractive to young people so that they see it as a real professional opportunity (because it is).
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Revaluing craftsmanshipChange the narrative so that consumers understand that craftsmanship is not expensive, but valuable and unique. It is a matter of changing the chip. This involves educating the consumer to understand the real value of handmade.
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Promoting sustainability: Betting on the local and handmade as a way to take care of the planet.
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Support artisans: This is not just a matter for governments or companies. We can all support by buying less, but better. Valuing what is behind a handmade piece. Asking questions about the process. By helping to spread this culture.
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Transmitting passion: Because, in the end, passion is contagious and I think it's what moves everything (besides fear, but that's another melon). If we feel pride and love for what we do, we may inspire someone else to follow this path.
Are we doing it right?
I don't know if we're doing it perfect, but I promise we're doing it with all our hearts. Here, every bag that leaves our workshop is a reminder that handmade should not disappear.
And you, who are reading this, are part of this movement. Every time you choose a handmade product, you are helping to keep alive a craft that deserves to continue to exist. So thank you. Thank you for valuing what we do, for understanding the time and love behind it, and for helping us to show that handmade products not only have a future, but that, if we put effort, they can have a bright future.
From Labienhecha, we continue to fight so that each piece is a statement of intent : to value the time, the hands and the hearts behind each creation.. And yes, we hope that every time you wear one of our bags, it reminds you that the unique, made with love, never goes out of style.
Thank you for joining us on this journey and for helping us to keep alive an art form that deserves to continue to exist.
With all my love (and my eternal passion for what is well made),
Ire ❤ ️
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