Hand Embroidery with Ana Maria
Explore bespoke hand-embroidery techniques with textile designer Ana Maria in Medellin, a picturesque city tucked away in the Colombian Andes. Learn how to make and finish embroidered work, develop your artistic voice through a variety of embroidery stitches, and express yourself through color. Outside the studio, draw inspiration from Medellin’s vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty — if you’re lucky, you’ll encounter a scarlet macaw or wild monkey within the city limits.
- Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $2155
- Additional guest(s) (max 3)
- USD $1680
Meet the Artist
Ana Maria is a Colombian textile designer shaping the fashion world with her vibrant creations. Renowned for her imaginative designs and expert craftsmanship, she collaborates with traditional Colombian artisans to create exquisite, one-of-a-kind garments.
Ana Maria honed her skills in London, where she studied and worked with prestigious fashion houses like Ralph and Russo, Erdem, Alexander McQueen, and Hand & Lock, the renowned embroidery house for the British Royal Family. In 2016, she returned to Colombia to continue her artistic journey.
Drawing inspiration from her Latin American heritage, Ana Maria combines traditional hand embroidery techniques with contemporary fashion. Her work can be best described as a blend of "magical realism," influenced by Colombian culture, nature, and surrealism. Using embroidery and crochet, she hand-stitches beaded foliage inspired by nature onto the lapels of dinner jackets and creates silk embroideries of exotic animals on flowing gowns. Each statement piece is wearable art, allowing individuals to express their unique style.
Ana's practice will captivate you with its fusion of artistry, ancient craftsmanship, and Colombian culture, seamlessly uniting art and fashion. Vamos, amigos!
Ana Maria honed her skills in London, where she studied and worked with prestigious fashion houses like Ralph and Russo, Erdem, Alexander McQueen, and Hand & Lock, the renowned embroidery house for the British Royal Family. In 2016, she returned to Colombia to continue her artistic journey.
Drawing inspiration from her Latin American heritage, Ana Maria combines traditional hand embroidery techniques with contemporary fashion. Her work can be best described as a blend of "magical realism," influenced by Colombian culture, nature, and surrealism. Using embroidery and crochet, she hand-stitches beaded foliage inspired by nature onto the lapels of dinner jackets and creates silk embroideries of exotic animals on flowing gowns. Each statement piece is wearable art, allowing individuals to express their unique style.
Ana's practice will captivate you with its fusion of artistry, ancient craftsmanship, and Colombian culture, seamlessly uniting art and fashion. Vamos, amigos!
VAWAA Includes:
- Explore, invent and define your style through art and fashion.
- Create embroidered garments and wearable art.
- Concept and sketch embroidery designs.
- Focus on color palette and how to develop perfect colorways for your project.
- Explore embroidery techniques from basics to advanced 3D stitches.
- Play with the process of creating compositions on a garment.
- Finishing and caring for hand-embroidered work.
- Visit Ana’s community of craft women and their workshops.
- Enjoy an embroidery session in Ana’s country house to try typical homestyle food.
Explore Medellin
Medellín is located in a bowl in the Andes mountains, which means you are guaranteed mountains and stunning landscapes from every corner of the city. Also known as "The City of Eternal Spring" for its mild year-round climate, Medellín blends urbanity with nature — you can even encounter scarlet macaws, iguanas, and wild monkeys within the city limits.
Medellín's friendly locals, Paisas, are famous for making visitors feel at home. The city boasts a vibrant culinary scene, offering a wide range of local delights like the famous bandeja paisa, and is a gateway to explore the diverse Antioquia region, with charming towns like Guatape and Jardin just a short drive away. Neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles are full of brilliant restaurants serving a variety of international fare, and cafes like Pergamino and Revolucion are known for serving the best Colombian coffee in town.
From iconic cable cars offering breathtaking panoramic views to the joy and passion of Colombian culture, Medellin has been part of Ana's artistic essence. She says, "All those things make me live in color!"
Medellín's friendly locals, Paisas, are famous for making visitors feel at home. The city boasts a vibrant culinary scene, offering a wide range of local delights like the famous bandeja paisa, and is a gateway to explore the diverse Antioquia region, with charming towns like Guatape and Jardin just a short drive away. Neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles are full of brilliant restaurants serving a variety of international fare, and cafes like Pergamino and Revolucion are known for serving the best Colombian coffee in town.
From iconic cable cars offering breathtaking panoramic views to the joy and passion of Colombian culture, Medellin has been part of Ana's artistic essence. She says, "All those things make me live in color!"
Additional Details
The best time to visit Colombia is between December–March, as well as July–August. During these periods, the Andes experience drier weather with fewer rain showers, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities and exploring the cities. The rainy season is between April–May and October–November.
The VAWAA can be extended for up to 15 days or for 4-6 months at a different price. Please ask when you submit your booking request.
Ana Maria speaks English and Spanish.
The VAWAA can be extended for up to 15 days or for 4-6 months at a different price. Please ask when you submit your booking request.
Ana Maria speaks English and Spanish.
Guest Reviews
Christina Q., United States
I was excited to participate in this VAWAA based on the previous lovely reviews, but the experience wildly exceeded my expectations. Ana's studio is such a beautiful space, full of creativity and inspiration. She and her assistant, Aleja, were so patience both with teaching me a brand new skill as well as letting me practice Spanish. Their warmth and enthusiasm for embroidery as well as showing me Read more
Maria O., United States
My experience with Ana Maria was magical! She authentically sees the world in color and reminded me that beauty is everywhere. I left with a mastery of stitches and an enthusiasm to continue creating. Thank you Ana ! It was wonderful! ❤️
Sara Jane R., United States
I went to Colombia with high expectations, but never could have imagined how wonderful our time with Ana Maria would be. From her beautiful workshop to the patient instruction by Ana Maria and her assistant, Aleja, from the treasure chest of supplies available for our use to the enthusiasm with which our efforts were rewarded, this experience could not have been more amazing. Every morning, we arr Read more
Constanza B., Peru
Translated in English: It was an unforgettable experience. I was able to connect with Ana María's talent and this has awakened my most creative side. I have returned with many tools that will enhance my talent and that will contribute to my personal growth.
Original in Spanish: Ha sido una experiencia inolvidable, he podido conectar con el talento de Ana María y esto ha despertado mi lado más c Read morePaulina R., Mexico
My experience with Ana was: MAGICAL and FULL OF COLOR. Not only because she is a charm but because thanks to her method and the openness she had with me I managed to open my creative panorama much more than I expected. This was what my heart needed, a few days of pure creativity, women, beautiful talks and obviously embroidery. But not just embroidery but the most divine embroidery that exists. Th Read more
Olga Lucia A., Colombia
Translated in English:
It seems to me that understanding the life of an artist is more relevant than taking formal training in a specific subject. Here I had the experience of understanding Ana María's day-to-day life, her creative process, her challenges, her interaction with clients, workers, suppliers, etc. They were very open days, I was able to ask what I wanted and I always got broad, clear Read more
See all
6 reviews
