Rocío Lozano Montero

Embroiderer

©Fotografia Ismael

Embracing a village tradition

Rocío is the third generation in her family to dedicate her life to embroidery
Her creations reflect a tradition that dates back to the 16th century
Lagartera emboidery patterns are distinctive in their floral geometry

Rocío Lozano Montero grew up and trained in the village of Lagartera, where traditional crafts have been passed down through generations within families. Her mother and grandmother were her mentors. “In my case, I learnt from both of them, but mainly from my mother, who taught me the more complex techniques, such as marking, hemstitching, pulling threads, tambours, and lace inserts,” Rocío explains. Lagartera is a small village in the province of Toledo, Spain, renowned for its centuries-old embroidery tradition. This practice is recognised as part of Spain’s intangible cultural heritage and was proposed for inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. “As children, once we finished school and our homework, we were also given a small embroidery task by our family, to help us learn. Only after that could we go and play. That is how, little by little, I developed a love for embroidery,” adds Rocío.

Interview

©Fotografia Ismael

©Fotografia Ismael

Why did you choose hand embroidery as your craft?: Because of family tradition. It is what I grew up with, what I learnt. I gradually became more and more involved in the family business, and one day realised that embroidery had become my profession and way of life.
Do you think becoming an embroiderer was inevitable?: I am the third generation in the family workshop. My grandparents founded it, then it passed to my parents. After my father passed away in 2005, I took over. I have been in the workshop with my parents for as long as I can remember.
Why is Lagartera so important in the world of craftsmanship?: According to documented evidence, Lagartera’s embroidery traditions date back to the 16th century. Back then, embroiderers in the village were creating garments for the nobility, as well as household linens and everyday clothing for local use. Come the 19th century, the craft began to be marketed more widely, thanks to a keen entrepreneurial spirit.
How do you design your embroidery patterns?: I visualise different combinations of motifs and colour schemes when I am lying in bed at night. I am a craftswoman, not a designer, so everything I create is inspired by the traditional motifs and embroidery of Lagartera.

Rocío Lozano Montero is a master artisan: she began her career in 1981 and she started teaching in 1992