Camisa Melania

Regular price $205.00 USD

Available  - 1 left

Based in: México

This beautiful handmade shirt is crafted on a traditional pedal loom, a time-honored technique passed down through generations. Featuring intricate cross-stitch embroidery by Purépecha artisans from the Michoacán Sierra, the embroidery is a reflection of Purépecha culture, depicting the region’s flora and fauna, the ancient pyramids of Las Yácatas in Tzintzuntzan, and the stars.

Woven with care and artistry, this shirt embodies the spirit of Mesoamerican history and tradition, blending craftsmanship with cultural storytelling in every detail.

"We weave our own canvases, and we embroider on them. By acquiring one of our pieces, you are wearing our memory and heritage; we want you to take them with you and show off our traditions; it doesn't matter if you use a classic huanengo or one of our most current proposals; they all represent who are we." - TSANDA 

Please note all pieces are handmade, therefore, no item will be alike. All designs vary and range in colors!

  • Made in: Michoacán, Mexico
  • Material: Cotton
  • Color: Black
  • Production Time: 4-6 weeks
  • Embroidery: Cross-stitch embroidery
  • Technique: pedal loom, cross-stitch
  • Iconography: Embroidery is representative of Purépecha culture, the flora and fauna, Las Yácatas, known as the ancient pyramids located in Tzintzuntzan, a Mesoamerican historic site, as well as the stars.
  • Specification: Hand-dyed cotton button-down shirt woven on a pedal loom featuring traditional iconography
  • Care Instructions: Your garment took weeks of work to be ready and went through many hands, so it must be treated with great respect. It is recommended to wash item by hand, preferably with gentle soap, air dry in the shade away from the sun, and never use the dryer. Finally, we remind you that these are garments to wear with great pride; that is the best way to honor the artisan hands involved.
Size
Chest (in.)
Length (in.)
Sleeve (in.)
S 40" 26.5" 24.5
M 42"
27" 25"
L 44"
28" 26"
XL 46"
30"
27"

 

The creation of each piece is a labor of love, rooted in the time-honored traditions of skilled artisans. It begins with the careful sourcing of raw cotton, which is then transformed into beautiful cloth through a meticulous, hands-on process. First, the raw cotton is cleaned and transformed into yarn. Once prepared, the cotton can be hand-dyed using natural, plant-based pigments. The dyeing process is done slowly and thoughtfully, allowing the fibers to absorb the pigments evenly, creating a depth of color that can only be achieved through traditional, non-industrial methods.

After the cotton is dyed, it is woven on a pedal loom, an ancient technique that requires skill, patience, and precision. This loom work is entirely manual, with each thread carefully guided by the artisan’s hands. No industrial fabrics are involved—each piece of cloth is crafted from the ground up, honoring the slow fashion philosophy that values craftsmanship and sustainability. The result is a fabric that is entirely unique, with subtle variations that reflect the personal touch of the weaver and the natural flow of the loom. Every inch of the fabric embodies the artisan's commitment to creating something truly special, free from the mass production that dominates the modern textile industry.

Once the fabric is woven, the true artistry emerges in the next stage, where each piece is meticulously hand-embroidered with traditional iconography. These intricate designs, crafted stitch by stitch, tell stories of cultural heritage and spiritual connection, bringing to life symbols that have been cherished by communities for generations. The embroidery not only adds beauty but also carries profound meaning, allowing the garment to become a wearable narrative of Purépecha history.

This entire process, from sourcing the cotton to completing the embroidery, takes approximately a month of dedicated work, during which many skilled hands contribute their expertise. Each piece is made with love, care, and a deep sense of pride. When you wear it, you’re not just wearing a garment—you’re embracing the essence of the artisans who devoted themselves to its creation.

To honor the connection between maker and wearer, each garment includes a tag with the name of the artisan whose work you are supporting. Wearing this piece allows you to carry with you the stories, skills, and traditions of a community, encouraging you to wear it with great pride—knowing that you are helping to preserve their craft and culture.

Every year in Uruapan, the Feria Artesanal serves as a cornerstone for Michoacán's artisan community, traditionally providing the main source of income for local artisans. However, in 2020, the global pandemic forced the cancellation of this vital event, leaving artisans without a platform to showcase or sell their crafts. It was in response to this challenge that Tsanda was born.

Launched as a non-profit initiative, Tsanda emerged with the mission of supporting artisan families by promoting and selling their handcrafted textiles through social networks. What began as a grassroots effort to restore lost income quickly gained momentum. By September of the same year, the overwhelming support for the project led to the official founding of Tsanda as a brand, with the goal of sharing a piece of Michoacán's rich artisan heritage with the world.

Today, Tsanda has evolved into more than just a marketplace for handmade textiles—it has become a driving force of inspiration, preservation, and respect for Purépecha culture. The project has not only provided a stable source of work for artisans but also fostered economic independence for these families. Currently, 12 artisan families across seven different communities collaborate with Tsanda, and the project continues to grow with a vision of incorporating even more families and integrating a diverse range of traditional textile techniques.

By empowering artisans and celebrating the cultural richness of Michoacán, Tsanda aims to take these extraordinary crafts to all corners of the world, allowing each piece to carry the story of its people and the traditions they cherish.

"Tsanda we are the daughters, mothers, and grandmothers of the Purépecha culture. We reflect our hereditary knowledge of many years of history with each thread and each stitch that we capture in our textiles.

With our embroideries, the light of the family tradition is kept alive; that is why each Tsanda piece is made to be worn with great pride. We feel a deep affection for our roots, the Purépecha culture, and the place where we grew up; Michoacán.

Being able to transmit this immense love in each garment is what makes our hearts beat stronger and stronger." 

Ready to Ship Orders

All orders are processed within 3 to 5 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) after receiving your order confirmation email. Please note this does NOT apply to made-to-order items and pre-orders). Once shipped you will receive another notification with tracking details; please allow 24 hours for the tracking to reflect transit details. 

Note that special holidays result in high volume of packages and subsequent delays may occur.

Domestic Rates & Delivery Times
First-Class Mail - $6 5 to 8 business day
Priority Mail® - $10 3 to 4 business days
Priority Mail Express® - $45 Next day to 2-day

Nayibi Bridal Pre-Orders

Please note that due to the intricate craftsmanship involved, the production and delivery of this item may take approximately 4-6 months. However, we understand that sometimes you need your dress sooner. If your event is within the next 2-month window, we can expedite your order, but we require immediate notification. Please don't hesitate to contact us to inquire about availability. We'll do our best to accommodate your needs and provide you with the perfect piece in a timely manner.

Please reach us via our contact form or e-mail us at service@cadenacollective.com.

When your order is ready your item will be shipped via Priority Mail.

We understand that things don't always go according to plan, and when they don't, we're here to help. We stand behind the products we offer, and if something doesn’t work out, we’re committed to making it right! Our goal is to ensure you have the best experience possible.

Order Cancellations: 
Please note, we are unable to accept order cancellations beyond 24 hours from the time of purchase.

Exchanges & Returns: 
If your order didn’t meet your expectations, we’re happy to assist with an exchange or return within 30 days of delivery. You can choose one of the following options for your return:

  1. Exchange
  2. Store Credit
  3. Refund

Important Information:

  • Exchanges and returns are available only for orders placed within the United States.
  • The return or exchange request must be made within 30 days of delivery, and we will honor the date of your initial contact. So, no need to worry if you don't hear from us right away within that time frame.
  • A restock and processing fee of $10 will be deducted from the refund or store credit amount.

Exclusions:
The following items are NOT eligible for exchange or return:

  • Custom items (e.g. bridal designs)
  • Made-to-order items (e.g. Maria Consuelo Designs 14k gold jewelry)
  • Clearance or archive sale items
  • Items marked as "Final Sale"
  • International orders

Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for an exchange or return, the following conditions must be met:

  1. The item must be in its original condition: unworn, unused, with tags attached, and in the original packaging.
  2. Please inspect your order upon delivery and notify us within 3 days if the item is damaged, defective, or if there is an error with your order.