FOURTH ARRIVALS – The úkata “Tamazula” by Huaraches Solano – The Last Tamazulas in Mexico
Posted: March 8, 2014 Filed under: úkata, Huarache Culture, Huarache Sandals, Huaraches Jalisco, Rare Huaraches | Tags: メキシコのサンダル, ワラチ, चमड़े के सैंडल, बुना सैंडल, मेक्सिको सैंडल, हस्तनिर्मित सैंडल, Crafts, 编织凉鞋, Design, Мексиканские сандалии, 革のサンダル, 멕시코 샌들, Fashion, Footwear Design, Gewebten Sandalen, Geweven Sandalen, Handcrafted, Handgefertigte Sandalen, Handgjorda Sandaler, Handmade Sandals, Håndlagde Sandaler, Huarache, Huarache Sandals, Huarachero, Huaraches, 짠 샌들, Lädersandaler, Ledersandalen, Meksikanske Sandaler, Mexicaanse Sandalen, Mexican Crafts, Mexican Footwear, Mexican Sandals, Mexico, Mexikanischen Sandalen, Mexikanska Sandaler, тканые сандалии, Sandales à la main, Sandales en Cuir, Sandales Mexicains, Sandales Tissées, Sandali fatti a mano, Sandali in Pelle, Sandali Intrecciati, Sandali Messicani, Sandalias de Cuero, Sandalias Guaraches, Sandalias Hechas a Mano, Sandalias Tejidas, Sandals, Skinn Sandaler, Sustainable, Sustainable Footwear, Traditional Footwear, Vävda Sandaler, Vevde Sandaler, Woven Footwear, Woven Sandals, 墨西哥凉鞋, 手工凉鞋, 手作りのサンダル, 不織布サンダル, المكسيكي الصنادل, المنسوجة الصنادل 6 CommentsThese “Tamazula” Huaraches are a real rarity and are today made on request by only one Huarachero in Mexico. I have been fortunate to be able to order a limited number of Men’s sizes and have them for sale in my úkata store which you can access clicking the VISIT MY STORE icon in the top right of this page.
Finding the Huarachero after seeing a pair of his Huaraches for sale in Tamazula, Jalisco (see that post HERE) was a real investigation, especially as he doesn’t even live near Tamazula and understandably none of the Huaracheria owners in Tamazula were willing to tell me his name either.
And even after find him, Sr. Solano the huarachero never gave me his phone number. Although each time I visited him I always found him busy weaving Huaraches, with his seemingly busy huarache making schedule I was surprised to discover that he only makes Huaraches part time.
Like most Huaracheros he has his own workshop, his lasts, his sewing machine and has his local clients, but surprisingly most of his time is taken up as the caretaker of his local church. Its a mystery to me why a Huarachero of such talent chooses caretaking work over making his remarkable Huaraches. Thoughts of miracles, vows and answered prayers go through my mind, but maybe for Sr. Solano money and Huaraches aren’t everything, after all he’s also well into his 70’s.
It was touching to hear Sr. Solano talk about putting love into making his Huaraches, a philosophy so distant from today’s monetization and commodification culture even amongst other Mexican Huaracheros. Its clear that for Sr. Solano focusing on service and quality is very important. Maybe that’s why he offered to make me only 6 pairs of his unique “Tamazula” Huaraches, because he realistically didn’t have time to make me more.
Interestingly Sr. Solano’s Huaraches are made using vegetable tanned leather from Curtiduria Gonzalez in Colima. Sr. Solano is one of those crafts persons I wrote about who travel across state just to buy the right leather. Because not every leather can be cut so thinly so as to make his “Tamazula” 16 Vuelta Huaraches.
I’m also excited for this rare opportunity to show you in detail the tanning process of the leather of these “Tamazula” Huaraches. Its not often that consumers are able to witness the tanning of the leather in their products. Check out the “Tamazula” Huarache artisanal tanning process HERE
Like all good Huaraches the “Tamazula” sole is made from only the central/tread part of a recycled car tire (although the sole tread patterns are matched, the design on your pair of Huaraches may differ from the one in the photo).
The Huarache “Tamazula” is made entirely by hand and uses no glue.
The mysterious green colouring on the toe is a unique and traditional detail of the Tamazula Huarache. When I asked why it was there, I was told “that’s the way its always been”.
The fit of the “Tamazula” is little wide and are perfect if you have wide feet, or are a half size.
$30 DHL shipping to USA, Canada and Mexico.
I saw a beautiful huarache called Tejido Fino in the Blog. The sole, rather than being made of rubber,
was made of thick leather. Billed as a huarache from Tamazula, I do not know if this particular huarache was woven by Sr. Solano. I would like to contact the actual weaver and inquire as to his address for mailing, ask about what sizes he can handle, and rough pricing. I do speak Spanish. What help/advice can you offer?
Dear Charlie, Sr. Solano doesn’t make that style Huarache and he always uses rubber soles.
Can I recommend you visit The Huarache Directory website at the links below.
There you will find many Huarache makers who make the Huarache you are looking for with leather sole.
https://thehuarachedirectory.wordpress.com/michoacan/
https://thehuarachedirectory.wordpress.com/jalisco/
Kind regards,
Markus
Thanks, Markus. Will do.
Markus, One quick question. Have you any knowlege of these artisans’ ability to make huaraches in US size 12? My feet aren’t wide. But, they are long, and I’ve noticed that many top-out at 11.
Yes, they usually can. Shops tend not to buy that size, but more than half the artisans should have one pair of lasts that big. 12 should be a Mexican size 30.
Again, Markus, many thanks.