In honour of Cinco de Mayo, I thought I would feature my favourite Mexican textile – zarapes! Zarapes, pronounced “serapes” in English, are brightly coloured Mexican blankets with fringed ends that are typically worn by Mexican men on one shoulder. Traditional zarapes are made in the North-East Mexican state of Coahuila and often feature a black or dark base with stripes of intense colour. It’s amazing just how many colour combinations and patterns are possible in this inspiring woven art. The brilliant colour of zarapes has always dazzled me and I’m hoping you are surrounded by some for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations!

(photographs via mauricio alcaraz carbia, lucy nieto, gabri le cabri, hake oliva, ken goldberg, michi catanese, davii rangda, cjn photos & curious flux)