Story | Connie Li Photography | Obakki
The Vancouver-based Obakki lifestyle brand has debuted a new collection of Madda rugs by Maddalena Forcella, the renowned Italian textile artist who founded Madda Studio in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Madda rugs are created in Chamula, in the Chiapas highlands of southern Mexico. The town of Chamula is more than 2,000 years old and is a living example of true Mayan culture. It is considered one of the most important communities of its kind for its Mayan customs and practices that are long lost in other parts of Mexico.
What sets the rugs apart is the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Taking up to 400 hours to complete by the women of Chamula, they are created by hand, using ancestral techniques that have been used for 500 years—a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Chiapas region.
These unique rugs are made with wool from the sacred sheep that graze the highlands of southern Mexico. The coats of these rare sheep has distinctive tonal variability, from dark coffee to beige, grey, cream and white tones. These blend together to produce subtle gradients and superb textures. And being organic, the wool retains its natural lustre and allows for vibrant colours to be achieved naturally.
The collection is priced between $895 and $7,995. All items are available on obakki.com.
