BEHIND CRUDA VOL I
This capsule collection was born from a moment of reflection. A desire to create something timeless and deeply personal: pieces that convey a meaning that transcends their form. Inspired by the people who have preserved ancestral knowledge.
A celebration of nature's deep connection with its natural cycles. Each piece is a genuine representation of simple living, created by people passionate about their art.
NATURAL DYES
Febe Abarca is an extraordinary woman, a passionate creator, and an explorer of nature. Her love for knowledge and doing has led her to delve into the world of botanical dyes and printing, using the generous fruits of the earth: leaves, roots, barks, flowers, and plants that grow abundantly in Costa Rica and Latin America.
Her hands—the main allies in this work—translate the essence of nature into color and form. Each fiber in Forānea bears the slow rhythm of sustainable processes, the care of craftsmanship, and the magic of someone who creates with soul and purpose.
GREEN
This forest green color is one of the many shades extracted from the blue Mata plant, a plant with orange flowers, used in Costa Rica since pre-Columbian times for its medicinal properties + cotton plant, cultivated in the humid tropical soil of Buenos Aires, Puntarenas.
TERRACOTTA
The terracotta color of this piece is extracted from the bark of the nance tree—characteristic of the dry tropical Pacific climate. The nance is a small, round fruit that turns from yellow to orange when ripe. It is sweet with a hint of acidity and is used in both Costa Rican cuisine and traditional medicine.
BLUE
The deep blue color of this piece is extracted from Azul de Mata, a plant with orange flowers used in Costa Rica since pre-Columbian times for its medicinal properties. This blue hue, characteristic of traditional Costa Rican adobe houses, was obtained by mixing Azul de Mata with lime or clay. This paint not only provided color but also helped repel insects.
KHAKI
The earthy brown color of this piece comes from the bark of the nance tree and its ashes. The nance is a small, round fruit that turns from yellow to orange when ripe. It is sweet with a hint of acidity and is used in both Costa Rican cuisine and traditional medicine.
YELLOW
The mustard color of this piece reflects the roots of the yuquilla, a plant with long, robust roots from which shades ranging from yellow to brown are extracted. During the day, the opening of its lilac flowers allows sunlight to enter, favoring pollination. By closing at night, the yuquilla flowers prevent pollen from moistening and germinating before pollination.
A visual log where the process, inspiration, and everyday life reside. Where hands meet texture and slow making intersects with life happening in the meantime. This space is like a box of small treasures: photos, details, moments that make no noise but leave a mark. It's my way of sharing everything that was built, little by little, CRUDA.