Our Story

 

INSPIRED BY THE WOMEN WHO TRAVEL CURIOUSLY, DRESS FIERCELY AND SHOP RESPONSIBLY.

 

SORAYA HENNESSY OFFERS A MODERN TWIST TO A CENTURY OLD CRAFT.

 

EMPOWERING ARTISANS

“Nosotros tejemos para comer.” –Daniela Ramirez, Profesora de primaria y artesana en Usiacuri, Colombia.

“We weave to eat.” Elementary teacher and artisan in Usiacuri, Colombia

The Wayuu (pronounced "Wah-You") are a Native American ethnic group living on the border of Venezuela and Colombia.SH offers a sustainable job to over 40 different Wayuu artisans in both Venezuela and Colombia. Rejecting the fast fashion business model, SORAYA HENNESSY works hand in hand with artisans to help her handmade designs come to life.

 

MEET THE FOUNDER 

“Her work has that East meets West aesthetic, with a dash of Latina thrown In.” VogueIndia

Soraya is a global citizen - born and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela; educated in Chicago, IL; founded SORAYA HENNESSY (SH) in Abu Dhabi, UAE; and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Soraya co-founded SH with her mother as a way to showcase the beautiful work of Venezuelan and Colombian Wayuu and other South American artisans with the world.

 

REINVENTING A CENTURY OLD CRAFT

“To be a woman is to know how to weave.” – The Wayuu Tribe

A central part of the Wayuu culture is the art of weaving designs in mochilas (buckets bags), chinchorros (hammocks), and mantas (robes). The technique has been passed from generation to generation. The young girls start weaving from the tender age of eight years old. The original “mochilas” are rich in color with intricate patterns and motifs. It is through these patterns that the Wayuu share their traditions and history. The SH bags maintain the Wayuu tradition and offer a modern twist to a century old craft by adding unique accessories such as bamboo and gold handles, acrylic chains and pockets.  Inspired by her travels, Soraya has designed unique and fun words onto mochilas in over 5 different languages including English, Spanish and Arabic.