scenery here is breathtaking, and is captured in paintings and photographs by artists in the area. The foothills and the mountainous landscapes open dramatically and a huge variety of cacti can be seen. The local inhabitants involved in weaving and dyeing rugs draw on their surroundings too. The rugs have designs with symbolic meanings relating to Mitla and other archaeological sites in the area. A wide range of designs are executed carefully in threads that have been hand spun and dyed. There are numerous weaving workshops which one can visit to watch the full process. Elsewhere, Ocotlan is the home of the Aguilar family of potters, who are world-renowned, but the Friday market is also full of textiles from the area. Just outside Ocotlan is the small town of San Antonio, where the Mexican wedding dress originates. The shops sell cotton tops and dresses heavily embroidered with flowers and often with lace sections.

The list of regions and reasons to visit them is far from exhausted but we’ll end with what might be a slightly more accessible location. Mexico will be coming to London in June with a celebration of the rebozo. The Made in Mexico exhibition will explore the key role textiles have played in promoting Mexican culture worldwide from the 17th century to the present day. The rebozo is an important part of the Mexican identity which has developed over three centuries and manages to encapsulate the history of Mexico while remaining a functional, contemporary object. Contemporary Mexican and UK artists, photographers, fashion and textile designers will also present new work created in response to the rebozo and Mexican textiles – including Francisco Toledo, Graciela Iturbide, Carla Fernandez, Zandra Rhodes and Kaffe Fassett. MADE IN MEXICO The Rebozo in Art, Culture & Fashion, until 30 August 2014, Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF, T: +44 (0)20 7407 8664, ftmlondon.org

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