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Preserving tradition and breaking tradition is the theme of our Spring 2010 as we go from the Gobi, to the Andes, to the lush pastures of Lesotho, and finally the United Nations in Rome, Italy. Eventually, all roads lead to the U.S. in the culmination of the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009. I don't know when we have ever covered five continents and looked at the incredibly diverse, and wonderful world of natural fibers.

We are particularly pleased to present an intimate portrait of Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez, the founder and extraordinary visionary of The Center of Traditional Textiles of Cusco. (CTTC) Nilda's work with weavers of the CTTC who produce handwoven items based on traditional designs is famous throughout the world.

Falling Fortunes in the Gobi

Mongolian cashmere has always played second fiddle to Chinese cashmere even though it comes from the same breed of goat. While some Mongolian nomads try to keep their cashmere "at home" refusing the higher prices offered by the Chinese traders, there is an even bigger problem they must contend with, a Zud. In the past, some nomads have lost up to 90% of their herd because of this horrific weather pattern of extreme cold Learn what happens to man, his goat, and his family when the mercury drops and the market rises.

Nilda

For nearly 30 years, Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez, a native of Chinchero, Peru, has been one of the leading forces behind preserving the textile traditions of the Andes. She is responsible for creating the Center for Textile Traditions of Cusco, which oversees more than a dozen weaving communities who spin, weave, and dye according to the ways of their ancestors. Nilda's vision and unrelenting dedication have been vital to preserving this rich cultural heritage.

To Russia With Love

His name is Thabo Toroeba and he lives in Lesotho, a teeny country known as "The Mountain Kingdom". Although Lesotho has always had a strong Angora goat population Thabo has come into the world of farming and fiber quite recently after leaving his job in the diamond mines of South Africa after the economy. Thabo loves being a farmer and he particularly loves his ram, Russia.