CHRISTMAS TIME

Another year ends and it is time for another Christmas. Gifts, lights, Christmas songs and every place you go is full of the Christmas spirit, but what is the meaning of the real Christmas?, what it is important in that special day?.

Otro año que termina y es tiempo de otra Navidad. Regalos, luces, canciones navideñas y cada lugar que uno recorre esta lleno del espíritu navideño, pero cual es el significado mas importante de una verdadera Navidad?, que es lo mas importante en este día tan especial?

When I was a Child I use to celebrate Christmas with all my family. It was a huge reunion with all my cousins, uncles, aunts. Everybody came to my parents house because it was a tradition to join that day to celebrate together with my grandma Raffa.

Cuando era pequeña, solía celebrar la Navidad con toda mi familia. Era una reunión muy grande con todos mis tíos, primos. Todos venían a casa de mis padres ya que era tradición celebrar todos juntos con mi abuelita Raffa.

Those Christmases were so beautiful with everybody laughing and sharing nice moments together, opening lots of gifts and singing Christmas songs.It was also a tradition to built a huge nativity because my grandma loves to remember those ones in the Peruvian mountains.

Esas Navidades eran hermosas, todos juntos riendo, abriendo regalos contemplando el hermoso árbol de Navidad y el nacimiento tan grande tradición de la familia porque mi abuela recordaba los nacimientos típicos de la sierra del Perú.

When my grandma passed away, those reunions cancelled and everybody spend time with their own families. In the end all of us have those special moments that we share together and will never forget.

Cuando mi abuela falleció, las familias se dividieron y cada familia celebra las navidades en sus propias casas. De igual modo ahora todos recordamos con mucha alegría aquellas navidades juntos y nunca olvidaremos los hermosos momentos que compartimos.

Now that I am older but not so much yet hehe, I consider Christmas as a special day where Jesus born to give us a very special gift called LIFE, and this gift is unvaluable. He gave us all his love always and we have to be grateful to have people in our lives to love us and we can love back.

Ahora que ya estoy mas grande aunque aun no tanto jeje, considero  la Navidad como un día especial en el que Jesús nació para regalarnos un regalo muy especial llamado VIDA, y este regalo es invalorable. El nos dio a todos nosotros su amor y nosotros debemos ser agradecidos con el y la vida por permitirnos tener a personas que nos aman y a quienes nosotros también podemos amar.

This Christmas as all others will be very special not only for gifts, delicious food, Christmas trees and contagious songs, it will be special because we can share with our love ones one more time and say to them that we love them very much.

Esta Navidad así como las que vendrán serán muy especiales no solo por los regalos, una cena deliciosa, el árbol de Navidad o canciones contagiosas, sino porque podemos compartir con nuestros seres queridos momentos que quedaran para siempre en nuestros corazones.

From all Raffa´s family we want to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas full of joy and happiness with all your family and friends. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

De parte de toda la familia Raffa queremos desearles una muy feliz navidad llena de bendiciones y alegrías junto a sus seres queridos.

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!

OCTOBER ART AND TREND CELEBRATIONS

In October starts the midseason where the weather changes depending on the area where people live. The Festivities in October are popular in various places , which expresses the different cultures and traditions of each country.  That is why I would like to talk in this post about October and popular celebrations full of art and trends.

En Octubre empieza la media estación y las temperaturas cambian dependiendo en el área donde vivan las personas. Las fiestas en Octubre son muy populares en en diversos lugares , donde se expresan las diferentes culturas y tradiciones de cada país. Es por ello que quiero hacer esta entrada dedicada al mes de Octubre mes popular para celebraciones llenas de arte y tendencia.

Midseasons

In Perú, October is a popular month specially for catholic people. They called October “The Purple Month” because they give tribute to “The Lord of Miracles”, which is an image of Jesus on the Cross. People visit the image and performed processions and vigils. The lord of Miracles is considered very miraculous and people who are very devout use to wear purple habit. It is an offer of great faith and hope for all Christians.

En Perú, Octubre es un mes importante sobre todo para las personas católicas ya que lo denominan “El Mes Morado”, mes en donde se rinde honor al “Señor de los Milagros” que es una imagen de Cristo en la cruz. Las personas acuden a ofrendar al Señor de los Milagros y realizan procesiones y vigilias en su honor de manera multitudinaria, es considerado muy milagroso por muchos y las personas mas devotas suelen vestirse con hábitos de color morado en honor al también llamado Cristo moreno. Sin duda una ofrenda de mucha fe y esperanza para todos los cristianos.

Señor de Los Milagros,foto by Tvperu.gob.pe 

Other festivity to mentioned this month is the Day of “Criolla Music”. At the end of October, people use to go to a typical “Peñas” which are special places to dance and enjoy the typical music of the region. Afro Music which is very typical from the Chincha area, a region where most black population live in Perú is also typical this day. People enjoy dancing, singing and also drinking with the famous alcoholic Peruvian drink “Pisco “.

Otra festividad a mencionar este mes, sobre todo el 31 de Octubre es el día de la "Canción Criolla", un homenaje a la música criolla del país. Muchas personas acuden a las famosas "Peñas", donde diferentes artistas animan la fiesta con el típico cajón peruano y la guitarra así como también con bailes típicos. La música negra también se une al ser muy contagiante y el público disfruta una velada muy agradable acompañando la danza con la bebida alcohólica más famosa del país llamada "Pisco". 

Peruvian Music, photo by Caminsymas 

In Barcelona and Catalunya areas for example, people celebrate the "Castanyada" in which some people use to prepare on the streets chestnuts on fire and it is very typical to eat them drinking Moscatel liquor or even Cava. Also it is a tradition to eat popular sweets called Panellets.

En Barcelona y áreas catalanas, se celebra la famosa "Castañada", en donde se suelen preparar en las calles Castañas en el fuego. Es muy típico comerlas en esta época del año acompañadas de Moscatel o también de Cava. También se suelen preparas dulces muy populares llamados Panellets. 

Chestnuts and Panellets

In United States and other places of the world, people celebrate in October the very famous "Halloween Party". In this Celebration, kids and also adults use to wear different kinds of costumes and go out to the streets collecting sweets and candies. Most of the streets and even stores are decorated according to the trends with pumpkins and other ornaments that remind us the dark nights of Halloween we see at the movies.

En Estados Unidos y otras partes del mundo, celebran la ya famosa "Fiesta de Halloween" , donde tanto niños como adultos, suelen disfrazarse y salir a las calles de fiesta y para pedir caramelos. Las casas son decoradas para la ocasión con calabazas y otros adornos, que nos recuerdan a las escalofriantes noches de Halloween que vemos en las películas. 

It is no doubt that October parties are full of art and trends, there is a lot to enjoy this month that it is almos finished, but no matter how you decided to celebrate it, We are sure that you will have a nice time, and on behalf of all Raffa´s team, We wish you a Happy celebrations and a wonderful start of this new Winter season that will come with full color, fashion and trends with Raffa´s new Fall/Winter Collection. 

Sin duda las fiestas de Octubre estan llenas de arte y tendencia. Hay mucho porque disfrutar en este mes que nos abandona, pero sea como decidas festejarlo, estamos seguros que te lo pasaras super bien y de parte de todo el equipo de Raffa te deseamos un Feliz final de mes y a recargarse de energía para empezar los meses de Invierno que se vendrán cargados de mucho color, moda y tendencia con la nueva Colección Otoño/Invierno de Raffa. 

RAFFA´S TEAM WORK IN PUNO

Last September, part of Raffa´s team work travelled to the city of Puno located in the Peruvian Mountains to visit a community of artisans who work together to create the wonderdul art garments.

El pasado mes de Septiembre parte del equipo de trabajo de Raffa viajo a la ciudad de Puno ubicada en la sierra peruana, para visitar una comunidad de Artesanos con los que trabaja para la creación de sus prendas hechas arte.

Puno Landscapes 

Team work  is very important for Raffa as well as train their workers day by day in all production processes.

Para Raffa el trabajo en equipo es de gran importancia así como la capacitación día a día en todas las fases de la producción.

Raffa´s team visiting an artisan community 

In this trip Raffa´s team work had the chance to appreciate very close typical outfits of the region, which are very colorful and hand finished. Many fashion brands and famous photographers have taken this garments as a theme of inspiration.

En el viaje se pudo apreciar las hermosas vestimentas típicas de la región muy coloridas y con acabados a mano, que muchas marcas de moda y fotógrafos famosos han tomado de inspiración.

Colorful outfits of the Region 

Raffa also promote a sense of Social Responsability, supporting their workers with the education of their families and offer them the chance to participate in different workshops like crochet or hand knitting techniques.

Raffa también promueve un sentido de Responsabilidad Social apoyando a sus trabajadores con educación para sus familias asÍ como talleres de entrenamiento en los diferentes campos como crochet, tejido manual entre otros.

Crochet workshops 

In the end it was a very productive trip for all Raffa´s team work and to know much better their co workers  in order to increase the creation of high quality fashion garments and improve  team work, because Raffa is the Art made garment.

Al final,  fue un viaje muy productivo para el equipo de trabajo y para conocer mejor a sus colaboradores, para seguir creando prendas de moda de alta calidad y mejorando el trabajo en equipo,  porque Raffa es el Arte hecho prenda.

Raffa´s Crochet alpaca vest 

FASHION FAIRS AND EVENTS

Fashion and Event shows are very trendy lately. Very famous brands and not so famous ones show their collections each season in these professional events.

Raffa was not the exception. With more than 15 years of experience in the fashion market, Raffa already participate since a lot of years ago to some professional fashion fairs all over the world.

Las ferias y eventos de moda están en tendencia en estos tiempos. Muchas marcas famosas y no tan famosas exhiben sus colecciones cada temporada en ferias profesionales.

Raffa no ha sido la excepción, con mas de 15 años de experiencia en el mercado. Raffa ha participado desde hace ya varios años en algunas ferias profesionales alrededor del mundo.

Prét á Porter Fashion Fair in Paris 

The beginnings of the brand were develop in Japan, because the founder of Raffa knows very well the Japanese market. It was like this that the brand started to promote their designs in this difficult and strict market. Raffa also participate in some European Fashion Fairs like CIFF in Copenhagen, Prét á Porter in Paris, CPD in Dusseldorf to mention some of them.

Los inicios de la marca fueron realizados en Japón ya que su fundadora conocía muy bien este mercado y fue asi como poco a poco comenzó a promocionar mas la marca en este difícil mercado.Raffa también ha pasado por ferias profesionales Europeas como son CIFF en Copehangen,Prét á Porter en Paris,  CPD en Dusseldorf entre otras.

CIFF Fashion Fair in Copenhagen

This type of events help the brand to know better the tastes and preferences of the different markets according to Fashion, trends, colors, shapes and everything that a brand needs to develop unique collections.

The finest materials that Raffa uses for the collections like alpaca and pima cotton are very recognize for all the assistants to these fashion events, they also appreciate very much the design of the brand.

Este tipo de eventos ha ayudado a la marca a conocer mejor los gustos y preferencias de los diversos mercados en cuanto a moda, tendencias, colores, formas y todo lo que una marca necesita para desarrollar colecciones únicas.

Los materiales finos que utilizan para sus colecciones como la alpaca y el algodón pima son muy reconocidos por los asistentes a los eventos de moda y valoran mucho el diseño de la firma.

Raffa´s Booth and Showroom in Fashion Fairs 

We invite you to discover very soon Raffa´s Fall Winter Collection and the theme of inspiration that we know you will like it, because Raffa is The Art Made Garment.

Te invitamos a descubrir  muy pronto la nueva colección Otoño Invierno de Raffa y el tema de inspiración que sabemos te gustará , porque Raffa es el Arte hecho prenda.

Raffa The Art Made Garment 

RAFFA "THE ART MADE GARMENT"

If you want to know more about Raffa brand, have a look at this wonderful video, where you can see more closer Raffa´s identity and discover more about the brand, the production process  and all the inspiration that Raffa designers have to create their amazing pieces of art . As a result designers  develop  beautiful collections inspired  in the Peruvian Cultures and mixing them with fashion trends. Finally the quality control is very important for everyone at Raffa and in the end amazing alpaca and pima cotton sweaters are created to show for the world.

We invite you to have a look at the video and discover Raffa “ The Art Made Garment”

Si quieres conocer mas sobre la marca Raffa, da un vistazo a este maravilloso video que ha creado Raffa para mostrar su identidad, lo que inspira a la marca y todo el proceso de producción que realiza para la creación de sus increíbles piezas de arte. Como resultado los diseñadores desarrollan hermosas colecciones inspiradas en las culturas peruanas y las mezclan con las últimas tendencias de la moda. Finalmente el control de calidad es muy importante para cada integrante de Raffa. Al final hermosos jerseys de alpaca y algodón pima son creados para ser mostrados al mundo.

Te invitamos a ver este video y descubrir  Raffa “El Arte Hecho Prenda”. 

MIDSEASON

These Days in the World where we live, global warming is very present and for that seasons of the year are very heavy, and some people do not know how to dress when midseason started. Some times the weather changes very fast and people think what is happening  here? Are we still in the midseason?

En el mundo en el que vivimos hoy el calentamiento global está muy presente y por ello las estaciones del año son dependiendo del hemisferio en el que se viva muy marcadas, es por ello que a veces al llegar a las ya conocidas medias estaciones como la primavera y el Otoño la gente no sabe como vestirse. Algunas veces el clima cambia tan rápidamente y uno piensa pero que pasa aquí?,  aun estamos en la media estación?.

These months some continents will have spring season and for others will be Fall Season.

Estos meses para algunos continentes se vivirá la primavera y para otros el otoño.

Fall and Spring Flowers

Fashion trends change depending on the zone where people live, but bright colors and different textures and designs will be in fashion, also neutral colors that are very elegant and as some people say fashion from the past always returns.

Las tendencias en cuanto a moda varían para cada zona ya que son distintas temporadas, pero predominan los colores vivos y diferentes texturas y diseños sin dejar de lado la elegancia de los colores neutros y como se dice siempre la moda del ayer  siempre regresa.

Raffa Pima Cotton garments and colorful designs 

Regarding the materials for the midseason, designers include In their collections Cotton and some other fibers like wool, alpaca and another ones. Depending if it is a warm weather it will predominate crochet garments and handmade garments will always be recognized and will have an added value.

El material que predomina en estas estaciones es el algodón, y también algunas otras fibras más abrigadoras para el otoño como la lana, alpaca entre otras. Se suele usar prendas más ligeras a crochet para climas más cálidos y lo hecho a mano que siempre será muy reconocido.

Alpaca and Pima Cotton materials for Spring and Fall season 

I already mentioned that Raffa´s collections characterized for creating exclusive designs combining fashion trends and Peruvian culture, using bright colors to make the difference and to cheer the spirit of their customers. Designers try to change the concept that in winter season people have to use neutral and pastel colors and summer time is for bright colors, there is a lot of choices when we talk about fashion and depending of the taste of each people, but I am pretty sure those things will changing day by day.

Ya he mencionado en anteriores entradas que Raffa se caracteriza por crear prendas de diseño diferente y con colores vivos que alegran el espíritu de sus consumidores, para este año la colección Otoño Invierno no será la excepción ya que quiere marcar la diferencia del concepto de que en invierno uno debe usar siempre colores neutros y pasteles y en verano colores vivos y estampados, al fin y al cabo hay para todos los gustos pero estoy convencida que poco a poco esta idea que se tiene cambiara.

Crochet garments 

Raffa´s Fall Winter Collection will be inspired in a new wonder of the world that I will talk more on my next post.

For now, I recommend people that wear comfortable clothes and brighten your days always! =)

La colección Otoño Invierno de Raffa, estará inspirada en una nueva maravilla del mundo de la cual hablare más en mi próxima entrada.

Por ahora recomiendo a la gente que utilice prendas que sean cómodas y que les alegren el día siempre. =)

RAFFA´S SHOWROOM

Raffa creates a wonderful atmosphere for the points of sale that they have and also for their showroom, located in Lima-Peru.

Raffa crea una maravillosa atmósfera para sus puntos de venta y también para su showroom ubicado en Lima-Perú.

Different materials were use to create the showroom of Raffa, combining glasses, with iron bars and preserving the minimalistic style with white walls and colorful sweaters.

Diferentes materiales fueron utilizados para crear el showroom de Raffa, combinando vidrio con barras de fierro y conservando el estilo minimalista con paredes blancas y jerseys coloridos. 

Vintage furnitures 

Raffa wants to tell their customers about the origins of the Brand and their themes of inspiration creating big legend walls with some pictures of the garments

Raffa busca transmitir a sus clientes los orígenes de la marca y sus temas de inspiración creando grandes murales con leyendas del mismo y algunos cuadros con fotografías de las prendas.

Raffa´s legend wall and sweaters inspirations

More Raffa´s inspiration to creating the garments 

The visual of the showroom emulates an art gallery, combining minimalistic elements with vintage furnitures and mixing those elements with colorful garments and accessories  using the best materials like alpaca and pima cotton .As a result Raffa´s showroom give fashion with luxury art garments and customers can feel and understand Raffa´s brand concept.

El visual del showroom emula una galeria de arte, combinando elementos minimalistas con muebles estilo vintage y mezclando estos elementos con prendas coloridas y accesorios utilizando para ellos los mejores materiales como son la alpaca y el algodón pima. Como resultado, el showroom de Raffa brinda moda con prendas lujosas con arte, y los clientes pueden sentir y comprender el concepto de la marca. 

Raffa handmade garments

If you are in Lima, you can visit Raffa´s showroom and also Raffa´s boutique to discover The Art Made Garment. You will not regret it!

Si estas por Lima, puedes visitar el showroom de Raffa y también la boutique para descubrir el arte hecho prenda. No te arrepentirás! 

Colorful sweaters 

Peruvian inspiration

CROCHET AND HANDMADE LABOR, VERY CREATIVE PROCESSES

It is very well known that handmade labor is very recognize everywhere, also some techniques like crochet process is very creative and Raffa uses these processes in some designs depending of the market and the patterns. 

Crochet consists of pulling loops through other loops, but additionally incorporates wrapping the working material around the hook one or more times.

Crochet Flowers

Raffa artisans produce colorful crochet flowers to add them in some designs, also they can create beautiful purses and other accessories like scarves promoting the handmade process and give the garments and added value.

Colorful purses

Hand finishing is also very important for Raffa alpaca and pima cotton sweaters, promoting the handmade labor in every piece that they produce and converting them in real pieces of art made garments.

Hand Crochet garments

Raffa wants to preserve the hand work using these techniques and trying to develop and create new collections that inspire and show their customers about these wonderful processes. 

LIMA, BIG AND COSMOPOLITAN CITY

I am currently in Lima Peru visiting the city for a month and every time I come here, the city surprise me with new things, more big buildings, restaurants and also culture.

Lima´s Cathedral 

August is the coolest month of the year because it is winter time now but no matter the weather is not so nice as in other months you can find a lot of things  to do and to share with your love ones.

People like to go at the weekends to the shopping centers, now there are a lot of them in almost every district and also you can find nice boutiques. It is not doubt that Lima is growing and fashion is also growing. More international designers are coming to this  big city to open new shops and Peruvians love the new tendencies.

Larcomar Shopping Center 

Raffa´s exclusive Boutique

Also if people are looking  for more cultural and artistic things to do, it is possible to find  museums  where tourist can discover more about the Peruvian culture, very well known worldwide

Lima Sunset

Costa Verde Beach 

There are also some events and exhibitions of art like photography events where you can find inspiration and wonderful pieces of art.

Lima Art Museum 

I also have to mention food. Nowadays the culinary art is very in fashion In Peru and specially in Lima people can find lots of restaurants with different types of food, fusion food, Peruvian food and a lot of varieties that makes Peruvian food one of the bests of the world. People can see art on it too because of the presentation that some chefs prepare and it is impressive and delicious to eat all these dishes for sure a nice experience to enjoy

Peruvian Food 

Peruvian Food 

Raffa´s designs are inspired as I mentioned in befores´s post in the Peruvian culture and it is no doubt that all you can find not also in Lima but in other provinces from Peru inspired everyone to discover more and more this nice and wonderful country and of course the capital of the city , Lima.

RAFFA HANDMADE PRODUCTS

Raffa collections are inspired in the Peruvian cultures, mixing fashion with Andean history but also creating different garments and giving them an added value which is the  handmade process.

Artisans produce this fabulous sweaters using the hand knitting process with specialized machines.

Depending of some designs some patterns can be more complicated than other ones and also they can have more colors. The simple knitting production is called jacquard pattern and the other one which is more complicated is called intarsia process mixing  more colors and the knitting technique is more complicated. After this process is coming the finishing process and all garments are handmade finished including the hand crochet work. 

INTARSIA DESIGNS 

In the end customers will have this wonderful garments, promoting with them the handmade labor that is is recognized worldwide because of the work involved.

JACQUARD DESIGNS 

SCARVES, A MUST IN WINTER TIME

Scarves are very popular specially in winter time.

Most people use this nice complement to combine their clothes and keep warm in cooler weather.

A scarf is also known as a muffler or neck wrap and designers include this garment in their collections and in different colors, shapes and designs.

Raffa designers also create nice scarves as a combination of some designs of their collections, depending on the theme of inspiration. Raffa artisans produce different scarf patterns using the finest material as is the alpaca yarn to give them an added value.

They propose natural colors in classic patterns or colorful garments with Andean designs  and Peruvian motives.

Depending of the country people can also combine this nice and comfortable garments with hats and gloves.

Winter is coming very soon and that is why Raffa wants to suggest this garment as a must in winter time.