In this edition, we would like to dedicate it especially to the artisan groups La Unión de Artesanos de Santo Tomás Jalieza and Artesanos de Seda de la Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, both belonging respectively to the communities of Santo Tomás Jalieza and San Pedro Cajonos in the state of Oaxaca.
Since 2024, La Peony has launched a training program aimed at the artisans with whom we have collaborated in different ways for nearly four years.
This program is an initiative resulting from research carried out in the summer of 2024 with these same groups. This research allowed us to learn in detail about the profile of textile artisans in these communities and to support them in additional ways beyond our collaboration with them as key suppliers in the production chains of some of our collections.
A large part of our brand positioning is based on ethics and social-impact luxury. With this responsibility—and beyond practicing fair trade in all our operations—we also aim to engage with artisans as partners in development, recognizing their vulnerability and needs as groups with limited opportunities but immense cultural value that deserves to be preserved.
This training program pursues several objectives:
- Address the needs expressed by artisans in the research, leveraging the commercial relationship for greater social impact.
- Contribute to the development of professional and personal skills among artisans to enrich their economic and social opportunities.
- Support the preservation of Mexican textile art, specifically in the central region of the state of Oaxaca.
During this first phase, we have achieved the following impact:
- More than 50 women artisans trained
- 6 workshops successfully delivered
- Practical and useful applications for the artisan groups
In our most recent edition in November 2025, in addition to the closing workshop, a follow-up survey was conducted to learn about their perception of the program, receive recommendations, and identify topics where we can continue supporting them through training and other initiatives.
A total of 34 women artisans shared their feedback on the impact of the program through the satisfaction survey. The main topics evaluated were related to the duration, depth, and application of the workshop content.
The results were positive: in all cases, more than 75% expressed that the courses are useful, that they can apply what they have learned, that in some cases the duration could be longer, and that although the content is interesting, they would like even more practical, collaborative activities to encourage group participation and involvement.
In addition, both communities expressed interest in continuing to receive training in areas such as:
- Design, innovation, and new products
- Marketing, advertising, and market access
- Using mobile apps to develop marketing and sales strategies
- Customer service and sales
- Organization, teamwork, and participation
- Formalization and professionalization of their work processes
- Generational continuity and the preservation of the craft
Furthermore, as part of their ongoing commitment to these programs, the artisans expressed interest in continuing the training program, extending the duration of the workshops, and including more practical, collaborative, and applied activities.
In other topics, specifically the artisans of Santo Tomás Jalieza, are seeking support to improve the infrastructure of their local market so they can make better use of it, transition to permanent stands, and receive guidance for new social media spaces and website development.
The training program generates differentiated social impact: in Santo Tomás Jalieza, it primarily strengthens economic sustainability and market conditions, while in San Pedro Cajonos, it drives innovation, community cohesion, and cultural visibility. In both cases, it contributes to women’s empowerment, heritage preservation, and sustainable community development.
At La Peony, our goal is to continue responding to priority training needs and strengthening our working collaboration, while promoting Mexican textile art and its traditions.
Alma Cristina Gómez Macfarland
International Artisans Consultant
