Zuahaza's Stunning Sisterhood

What drove you to start Zuahaza?
Zuahaza is inspired by a deep appreciation for artisanal craft, the spirit of sisterhood, and the joy of creating together to make an impact.

With a background in textiles and social design, Tatiana Ordoñez created Zuahaza and was later joined by co-founder and friend, Veelie Alba, who has a background in international business. We are both passionate about sharing a richer, more complete story of Colombia—its vibrant culture, its people, and its beautiful, diverse places. Our hope is to connect people around the world through the meaningful products we develop and to promote the preservation of culture, craft, and communities.

What does Zuahaza mean?
Zuahaza means “my sister” in the Muisca language of the indigenous people who lived in the Cundiboyacense Mountain region in the Colombian Andes. Since the beginning, we've brought women together and leveraged the power of sisterhood to create positive change.

Why is it so important to preserve traditional Colombian crafts?
Crafts tell stories of identity. Preserving traditional crafts is essential because they carry generational knowledge, cultural heritage, and the uniqueness of a region, whether that be for its natural resources, labor, or historical significance. Our process starts with honoring traditional techniques and using locally sourced materials.

While we are personally drawn to contemporary design and stay informed about market trends, they don’t dictate our creative direction. Instead, Zuahaza designs are guided by the natural diversity and charm experienced throughout Colombia. Every piece is creatively drawn and painted on paper, then woven by hand, incorporating time-honored techniques. The modern influence may come through colors that surround us daily and through new, playful patterns we explore together.

Tell us about some of your artisans and cooperatives. How did you come to work with them? Tatiana had traveled to Charalá to learn about the region’s rich history of growing, spinning, and weaving cotton. On this trip, she met a group of artisans who had been working with heirloom cotton. They exchanged stories and goals for the future and decided to begin working together on a new line of home textiles.

Over time, we’ve expanded our collaborations to include other skilled artisan groups across Colombia—whether it’s helping them access untapped markets or co-developing limited design projects. We have partnered with artisans who have perfected the craft of transforming fique, a natural plant fiber unique to Colombia, into beautiful baskets and rugs. Additionally, we’ve worked on creating palm fiber rugs, hand-carved wooden pieces, and hand-painted ceramics.

It’s an honor to partner with artisan communities and build meaningful relationships beyond business. We consider them not just our team, but also our sisters, friends, mentors, and role models.

What are some of your favorite products right now?
It’s always so hard to choose, especially because each collection has its unique style and vibe. We absolutely love the Upa Napkins. They stand out from the cloth napkins you might typically see. The Upas take a long time to make, but are so worth it. They are made from soft organic cotton, woven tightly for both texture and durability. This makes them look and feel very elevated, while super practical! We were pleasantly surprised by how versatile they turned out to be—perfect for various dining and home purposes.

We’re also thrilled with our hand-painted ceramics. While some might expect a printed design on a mug or plate, ours are all completely painted by hand. Every piece! The designs are an interpretation of Zuahaza’s textile patterns. We collaborated with artisans renowned for their craftsmanship to bring these designs to the table.

We also highly recommend a Zuahaza throw blanket as a must-have for yourself and an ideal special gift. The throw blankets are our crown jewels! They feel like you just discovered the best secret, super luxurious and delightful.