Designer and Mother Tina Piccirillo created Teeny Tiny Mini after years working in the luxury fashion wholesale industry. Always inspired by the designers and brands she worked with, she thought "why can't I do this too?"
Tina has always appreciated the craftsmanship and colors used by artisans from different countries. She worked for a friend who started a small womenswear brand that collaborated with artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico. Visiting the region many times, she was able to walk through the open air markets and visit the outside towns where all of the artisan work was actually being created. She loved the dedication to preserve the craftsmanship and techniques that were passed down from one generation to the next.
Tina fell in love with one textile in particular from Mitla which is typically used for bedspreads and tablecloths. The artisans use a pedal loom which is a man made machine and uses no electricity. It is operated by one person who must coordinate their feet and hands in almost a dance-like motion. Before they begin this "dance", they have to mathematically equate how they will coordinate their hands and feet to create the warp and weft. It is quite a complicated process and fascinating to watch!
She thought, how can I take this beautiful textile and make it into something modern for children to wear?
The Elin Poncho is Tina's very first collection and is available in-store and online
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