Former British Vogue Stylist Pippa Holt has collaborated with a community of weavers in Mexico to create a line of  handwoven belts to wear with the kaftans.
Originating in a town called Santo Tomás Jalieza, known as the ‘belt town’, this group has been making belts for many years in techniques passed down from their ancestors. The colourful pieces are handwoven in cotton on a backstrap loom. Master weaver, Abigail, weaves the finest and most intricate of patterns on small looms on her well lit patio. Her work has won national awards.
This is a pre-Hispanic technique that continues to be used without major changes over the centuries. The complexity of the work that can be created on this loom is limited only by the skill of the weaver. The entire loom with the weaving in progress can be rolled up at any time and carried from place to place.
The belts feature depictions of sacred animals, geometry, feather dancers and the animals and plants they see in their daily life, which is interwoven with fine cotton in vibrant details.
The technique of using a backstrap loom consists of securing an end of the loom to a tree or post and the other end to the waist of the weaver, maintaining the tension with the weight of the body, the women sit on straw mats, feet folded, wide leather belts sit on their lower backs, providing hand placement that is conducive to the creation of sophisticated patterns.
* Each belt comes in a handmade clutch bag made from palms.

Stylist Pippa Holt launched her eponymous line of luxury, hand-crafted kaftans in 2016, celebrating her love of fashion design, textiles, far-flung travel and beautiful, original holiday attire.

Pippa Holt Kaftans

Belt No.49

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Former British Vogue Stylist Pippa Holt has collaborated with a community of weavers in Mexico to create a line of handwoven belts to wear with the kaftans. Originating in a town called Santo Tomás Jalieza, known as the ‘belt town’, this group has been making belts for many years in techniques passed down from their ancestors. The colourful pieces are handwoven in cotton on a backstrap loom. Master weaver, Abigail, weaves the finest and most intricate of patterns on small looms on her well lit patio. Her work has won national awards. This is a pre-Hispanic technique that continues to be used without major changes over the centuries. The complexity of the work that can be created on this loom is limited only by the skill of the weaver. The entire loom with the weaving in progress can be rolled up at any time and carried from place to place. The belts feature depictions of sacred animals, geometry, feather dancers and the animals and plants they see in their daily life, which is interwoven with fine cotton in vibrant details. The technique of using a backstrap loom consists of securing an end of the loom to a tree or post and the other end to the waist of the weaver, maintaining the tension with the weight of the body, the women sit on straw mats, feet folded, wide leather belts sit on their lower backs, providing hand placement that is conducive to the creation of sophisticated patterns. * Each belt comes in a handmade clutch bag made from palms.

Belt No.96

Featuring an orange and white striped base, No.173 is the maxi three panel version of the popular No.15. Exuding understated luxury, with its bright tones anchored by deeper burgundy motif detailing.
The burgundy colours are naturally and sustainably derived from the purpura patula pansa, a species of sea-snail, picked off the rocks on the coastline at low tide during the winter months. When the dyers squeeze or blow on the mollusks, they give off a foamy secretion which is rubbed onto a skein of cotton. Although it is initially colorless, contact with the air turns it yellow, green, and ultimately purple. The snails are put back on the rocks after this process, which explains why this resource has not been exhausted after so many centuries.

Kaftan No.173

Single panel midi kaftan in navy with black design and zig zag hem.

Kaftan No.298

Hand-woven on a backstrap loom by artisans, this bold red and blue striped kaftan is decorated with people motifs - no two are the same. The woven figures are carefully sewn by little short pieces of thread. No.132’s oversized shape means it looks as great belted, as it looks worn loose. Ideal with black accessories.

Kaftan No.132

Featuring natural tones in tobacco and white with deep burgundy motifs, Kaftan No.180 exudes effortless chic. Its simple, extra short style makes it a natural wardrobe staple, and a versatile piece to wear during hot summer months.
The burgundy colours are naturally and sustainably derived from the purpura patula pansa, a species of sea-snail, picked off the rocks on the coastline at low tide during the winter months. When the dyers squeeze or blow on the mollusks, they give off a foamy secretion which is rubbed onto a skein of cotton. Although it is initially colorless, contact with the air turns it yellow, green, and ultimately purple. The snails are put back on the rocks after this process, which explains why this resource has not been exhausted after so many centuries.

Kaftan No.180

Three panel 'supermini' kaftan in neon yellow and white stripe with neon yellow design.

Kaftan No.313

Pippa Holt's kaftans are handmade by artisan weavers on a traditional backstrap loom - each piece takes one month to complete. Kaftan No.168 offers a new design to the brand using all one colour. Artisan Guelasia has used pericon and indigo to naturally dye the threads. A chic city or vacation staple, the oversized shape means it looks just as great belted, as it does worn loose.

Kaftan No.168

Think pink in Pippa Holt’s Kaftan No.207. – the midi version of Kaftan No. 204. Richly dyed purple motifs vie for attention against the pink on pink striped background. Hand-woven on a traditional back-strap loom, it marries tradition and fashion with aplomb.

Kaftan No.207

Kaftan No. 191 pays tribute to Mexico’s far-flung climes with its white and beige stripe hand-woven base cloth and marigold motifs, reminiscent of the country’s sun and sand. Note the intricated hand-stitched scalloped edges, a true testament to the artisans skills and age-old techniques. This is an exceptionally unique piece and takes over one month to make.

Kaftan No.191

Featuring a yellow and white striped base cloth, No.164 exudes a contemporary luxury in pastel tones, anchored with deeper burgundy detailing. The burgundy colours are naturally and sustainably derived from the purpura patula pansa, a species of sea-snail, picked off the rocks on the coastline at low tide during the winter months. When the dyers squeeze or blow on the mollusks, they give off a foamy secretion which is rubbed onto a skein of cotton. Although it is initially colourless, contact with the air turns it yellow, green, and ultimately purple. The snails are put back on the rocks after this process, which explains why this resource has not been exhausted after so many centuries.

Kaftan No.164

Belt No.101

Belt No.26

Pippa Holt’s kaftans are handmade by artisan weavers on a traditional backstrap loom – each piece takes one month to complete. This dark lavender and beige style features animals and a traditional criss-cross motif in accordance with the traditions of the remote Mexican weaving community, where they are hand made. The symbols represent joy, union and family. The colour combinations are often influenced by the surrounding nature as well as local flora and fauna.

Kaftan No.156

Belt No.103

Pippa Holt works with experienced artisans to create handmade, organic cotton kaftans with ease and versatility in mind. Cut for a loose fit, this red and white striped style is adorned with deep blue woven star motifs. Effortlessly chic when left loose, cinched at the waist, or fastened on the hips for a bohemian feel.
The three panel kaftans take almost two weeks longer to craft than the single panel styles. The weavers sew the panels by hand using a special macramé technique. The piece is then washed very carefully with natural soap then dried and ironed.

Kaftan No.170

Belt No.73

Pippa Holt’s kaftans are handmade by artisan weavers on a traditional backstrap loom – each piece takes one month to complete. No.148 is a ‘special edition’ kaftan due to the way its intricately woven. The bold orange and vanilla striped base, layered with multi-coloured 'people' motifs and woven zig zag neckline, makes for pure artisanal luxury. The traditional woven Mexican ‘people’ design is a recurring theme, representing family, love and unity.

Kaftan No.148

Bold, bright and original, Kaftan No.250 is a stand-out piece from Pippa Holts collection. Naturally dyed in the most striking shades of pink and red, this three-panel style is practical yet stylish, reminiscent of Mexico’s far-flung cli

Kaftan No.250

Decorated with burgundy motifs, this kaftan is woven from mint and white striped cotton and has a fun supermini length. The burgundy colour comes from the cochineal insect from which the natural dye ‘carmine’ is derived. These insects are found on the pads of prickly pear cacti, then are brushed off and dried to create the dye.
* Due to the natural dye process, No.117 is a limited edition.

Kaftan No.117

Belt No.85

Belt No.104

Belt No.50

Belt No.39

Belt No.30

Former British VOGUE stylist Pippa Holt collaborates with artisans to make kaftans that are handmade using traditional techniques. The colourful people designs on the magenta base of children's kaftan No.58 symbolise family, love and unity, in this traditional Mexican community of weavers. A much loved style in the Pippa Holt Kaftans collection.

Children's Kaftan No.58

Size

Belt No.19

Belt No.22

This blue and white style is the ‘supermini’ version of No.5. It features animals and criss-cross motifs in accordance with the traditions of the remote Mexican weaving community, where they are made. The symbols represent joy, union and family. The colour combinations are often influenced by the surrounding nature as well as local flora and fauna.

Kaftan No.48

Single panel 'supermini kaftan in white with neon multicoulered design.