CENTINELA & TRUJILLO'S 

Location: Chimayó, New Mexico

Overview:
Just north of Santa Fe lies the village of Chimayó, famous for its traditional handwoven textiles known as Chimayó weaving, which feature vibrant geometric patterns blending Spanish and Native American influences. This rich tradition dates back to the late 1600s, when Spanish settlers brought sheep herding and spinning techniques to the region. The community sustained a self-sufficient lifestyle, carefully passing down their skills through generations.

With the arrival of the railroad and growing movement of people, Chimayó’s unique cultural heritage began to draw attention. Its textiles gained wider recognition, and today, names like Ortega—the origin of the iconic Chimayó vest—along with its offshoots Trujillo’s and Centinela, continue to carry on the craft. Each brings its own character, and all remain beloved by fans around the world.

We happened to visit during the Easter season,
so unfortunately Ortega was closed.
But we were able to stop by both Centinela and Trujillo’s.

At Centinela,
we had the chance to learn in depth about the dyeing and weaving process, which was deeply inspiring.
Hearing about the challenges of preserving and continuing traditional craftsmanship,
we felt a strong connection to the textile traditions of our own home in the Bishu region of Japan.

After speaking with Irvin and Lisa at length,
we picked up a set of coasters—dyed and woven right there on site.

At Trujillo’s,
we found a beautiful selection of handwoven vests, as highly regarded as Ortega’s.
We were thrilled to find one in just the right size.

“Lots of Japanese buyers come here too,”
Carlos said with a happy grin.

Each pattern carries its own meaning,
and after much deliberation among the many geometric designs, each with a slightly different personality,
we chose a rug with a striking black-and-white contrast.