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OFICIOS
The sixth chapter of our annual co-selection is SHIRINGUERES.
The Tahuamanu region, located in Madre de Dios, Peru, has a history deeply marked by the exploitation of rubber and shiringa. Originally inhabited by the Tahuamanu people, who lived along the banks of the river of the same name between the present-day communities of Miraflores and Oceanía, this land became a stage for conflict and profound transformations. With the arrival of Bolivian colonizers, the Tahuamanu people were displaced, and the economic activity shifted to rubber exploitation under the control of the Suárez brothers. They built homes and storage facilities on the high banks of the river to avoid flooding during the rainy season.
Between 1902 and 1903, the Spanish brothers Valdomero and Máximo Rodríguez arrived in Madre de Dios after exhausting rubber reserves in other areas. In their search, they moved northward and discovered the Tahuamanu River, where they found a vast expanse of rubber trees. At that time, international borders in the region were not clearly defined, creating tensions with Brazilian rubber tappers to the north and Bolivians to the south.
The encounter between Máximo Rodríguez and the Bolivian colonizers turned violent, leading to the expulsion of the latter. In homage to his homeland, Rodríguez named the area Iberia. Once settled, they began intensive exploitation of rubber and shiringa, employing natives such as the Shipibos and Campas, who were brought from the Ucayali River region to carry out the arduous extraction work.
Over time, Máximo Rodríguez returned to Spain, leaving his properties to his son, Luis Rodríguez Rengifo. In 1944, the lands were sold by the Colonizadora Madre de Dios company, owned by Luis Rodríguez, to the Peruvian Amazon Corporation. In 1952, these properties were transferred to the Agricultural Development Bank of Peru through a legal decree, and in 1961, under Law 13656, the Peruvian government assumed full control of the province and decentralized the management of the Iberia fund.
Today, the history of shiringa and rubber tapping remains a testament to the region's natural wealth and the complex relationship between resource exploitation, territorial conflicts, and Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon.
Our annual co-selection presents its final chapter: Shiringueres. This collection features two new garments that celebrate the resilience and creativity of artisanal work while honoring our connection to Peru and its rich craftsmanship through a conscious and functional fashion approach.
These pieces pay homage to the craft of the shiringueros, reinterpreting their deep bond with nature through textile design. They also weave the complex narrative of resource exploitation, territorial conflicts, and the lived experiences of Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon region.
The Shiringueres dress with slits, inspired by the machete cuts made on Shiringa trees to extract latex, combines elegance and symbolism. Crafted from a blend of cotton and Japanese wool recovered from Can Pep Rey's deadstock, it represents a fusion of tradition and sustainability.
On the other hand, the waterproof hooded jacket, featuring dropped shoulders and multiple pockets, celebrates the resilience and creativity of artisanal work. Made from Shiringa—a natural latex collected by hand and processed with fire on a base of recycled cotton from Gamarra—this piece bridges Peruvian craftsmanship with a conscious and functional fashion approach.
These pieces pay homage to the craft of the shiringueros, reinterpreting their deep bond with nature through textile design. They also weave the complex narrative of resource exploitation, territorial conflicts, and the lived experiences of Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon region.
The Shiringueres dress with slits, inspired by the machete cuts made on Shiringa trees to extract latex, combines elegance and symbolism. Crafted from a blend of cotton and Japanese wool recovered from Can Pep Rey's deadstock, it represents a fusion of tradition and sustainability.
On the other hand, the waterproof hooded jacket, featuring dropped shoulders and multiple pockets, celebrates the resilience and creativity of artisanal work. Made from Shiringa—a natural latex collected by hand and processed with fire on a base of recycled cotton from Gamarra—this piece bridges Peruvian craftsmanship with a conscious and functional fashion approach.
Talents:
Julio César (He/she/they, México) @punnnal and
Jorge Escompani (He, Iberia - Madre de Dios, Perú)
Special thanks to Maria Nishida and Jorge Escompani.
Photographer: Sofia Casals, (She/They, Chile) @zoficasals and Silva (He, Spain) @5ilv4
Stylist: Andrea Cuadrado (They, Nicaragua) @andreasachhs
Espíritu Club
Team:
Silva @5ilv4 , Luciana @lucianaxreynoso and Annika @sunneeeeeeeeee